The Square, Harlow

The Square is a 250 capacity independent live music venue in Harlow, Essex. It is managed by SquareOne Entertainment LLP who took over the venue in July 2008. After a 5-month closure period from the end of 2015 The Square re-opened on Friday 10 June 2016. SquareOne made the decision to reopen following a period of inactivity at the venue and problems locating new premises. The hunt for a long term home for the Square continues.

Prior to 2008 it was run by Essex County Council until funding was withdrawn and the venue was closed after over 35 years of service as a community resource.

The Square was one of the starting places for acts including Enter Shikari, George Ezra, and The Subways. Harlow bands Collapsed Lung and Morning Parade formed at the venue. Cornershop name the venue as the gig that got them signed, as well as being the first venue to pay them to play. BBC DJ Steve Lamacq broadcast a live Coldplay show from the venue in 2000.

Record producer Paul Epworth worked at the venue in the 1990s.

The Square comedy club has played host to Jack Dee, Eddie Izzard, Jo Brand, Phill Jupitus, Terry Alderton and was regularly hosted by John Mann.

In 2012 a live recording by the band Seymour (later Blur) from 1989 was included in the Blur 21 box set.[1]

Outside view of The Square

In May 2015 building owners, Circle Housing, announced plans[2] for redevelopment of the site.

In July 2015 a series of gigs under the banner 'Back To Square One' was announced, with big name acts coming back to play the venue one last time. The series includes Newtown Neurotics, The Members, Steve Harris British Lion, Buzzcocks, DragonForce, InMe, King Prawn, Attila The Stockbroker, The Beat, Nine Below Zero, Collapsed Lung, Gaz Coombes, Chas & Dave, Secret Affair

In October 2015 The Square was shortlisted for NME Magazines 'Britain's Best Small Venue' Competition.

The Square closed on the morning of 1 January 2016.[3]

Some notable acts who have appeared at The Square

References

  1. ↑ "Blur 21 - Celebrating 21 years of Blur". blur.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
  2. ↑ "Plans to demolish The Square and YWCA for housing submitted". Harlow Star. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
  3. ↑ http://www.thesquareharlow.com/news/

External links

Coordinates: 51°46′15″N 0°05′22″E / 51.77083°N 0.08944°E / 51.77083; 0.08944

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 8/14/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.