London

Northwest To Northeast

Willesden

Willesden Green is an area of North West London, popular in the summer for its vibrant social scene. Ray and Dave Davies (Kinks) grew up in the area, and despite efforts to move to a more cosmopolitan area, found themselves drawn back to it by the people they loved. Willesden has one of the city's highest Irish populations, and is also strongly associated with Afro-Caribbeans and Latin Americans.

Pink Skies Over Willesden by Bojockey

Pink skies over Willesden - can you feel the rain
Pink skies over Willesden - can you feel the rain
Well it seems like the heart has a hold of you boy
Well it seems that the heart has a hold

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Hackney

A former industrial hub, East London's Hackney has undergone huge regeneration in recent years to become the city's most liveable borough. Home to young creative types, it's an area with strong community ties and is known for its great food and unmatched nightlife.

Back to Hackney - Great Cynics

I'm learning to appreciate the small things, not always action impulse. But to think while you're rolling your next cigarette, I'm taking in the pleasure from the freshly cut grass. Because you know I just act like I know what I'm doing here
If I ever see you ride your bike away from me I'll chase you all the way back to Hackney

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Victoria Park

Victoria Park or “Vicky Park” as it's known locally, is Britain's oldest public park. Opened in 1845 for the benefit of the East End working class, “The People's Park” has a long and rich history spanning over 170 years.Victoria Park is a key link in a green corridor. It stretches from the River Thames at Limehouse.

Sat In Vicky Park - Apologies I Have None

Give me East London summer Give me under the radar and I'm done My name is no longer low level worker I'm gone And I'm taking this lesson with me The worst mistake to make is to be afraid to make mistakes Like a man cannot be measured by the number of people he's fucked Like numbers on a payslip are no indication of worth

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Central By The River

Soho

Soho is synonymous with nightlife, pride and having a good time. It is home to some of the most well-known and notorious music venues and every genre imaginable has been featured at a Soho venue at some point or another.
Many of London's greatest musical acts rehearsed or recorded in Denmark Street, including the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, the Small Faces and the Sex Pistols.

A Rainy Night In Soho - The Pogues

We watched our friends grow up together And we saw them as they fell Some of them fell into Heaven Some of them fell into Hell I took shelter from a shower And I stepped into your arms
On a rainy night in Soho The wind was whistling all its charms

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Cable Street - City of London

Near the edge of London's financial district, Cable Street used to be the home of the Cable Street Studios complex. It's owner was a keen believer in the power of the arts and culture and by 2011 it had become a thriving artistic community consisting of over 200 individual artists' studios, a mosque and a transgender nightclub, and the Jamboree venue happily co-existing side-by-side.

The Battle Of Cable Street - We Grow Beards

'I was moved to tears to see bearded Jews and Irish Catholic dock workers, standing up together against the hated black shirts.
I shall never forget that as long as I live, How working-class people could get together to oppose the evil of racism.'

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Waterloo

Waterloo is the theme of a lot of Songs. The Southbank is the place for arts and culture around Waterloo and music is no different. On any given night you might find some new artists that will be on radio once within a year through to legends like Grace Jones or Skunk Anansie, with everything in between.

You're My Waterloo - The Libertines

You're my Waterloo, well I'll be your Gypsy Lane I'm so glad we know just what to do and exactly who's to blame
And you're my Waterloo I'll be your Stanley Park Well I'm so glad we know just what to do
And no one's left Stumbling around Tumbling around Fumbling around In the dark

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Down South-East

New Cross

The Post 1970s punk rock scene, the early 1980s punk and the anarcho-punk scene were strongly represented in South East London, espeaciallyin New Cross and Deptford. New Cross was noted as the birthplace of New Rave, and is fast gaining ground with London's fashion and music journalists, some even coming to regard it as South London's answer to Shoreditch in the wake of its commercialisation.

The Only Living Boy In New Cross - Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine

The good, the bad, the average and unique The grebos the crusties and the goths And the only living boy in New Cross Eyes down and I'll keep you up to date

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Peckham

Peckham became popular as a wealthy residential area by the 16th century. By the 18th century it attracted industrialists who wanted to avoid paying the expensive rents in central London. Having had a reputation as a run-down part of London, Peckham has been regenerated and is now filled with artists musicians and live venues.

Peckham Rye - Me Rex

There is no song
It's long since ended
I lied about the angels I said I saw descending
There is no song There is no sound
There is no depth or weight to any of our words now
There is no song

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Nunhead

Nunhead might seem like a quiet part of Town, apart from the amazing cemetary with a view on St. Pauls, the nearby Ivy House is an impotant staple in the area. It has a rich cultural heritage, a red velvet and gold lamé draped stage in "the ballroom" was an important venue on the pub rock circuit and has been graced by famous names such as Ian Dury, Elvis Costello, Joe Strummer and Dr Feelgood

Nunhead - Happy Accidents

When you say "Meet me by the cemetery" I think great, 'cause some cliches are necessary I know that song, though we were not around in the '80s Not so far gone, now Europe endless ended needlessly Meet me by the cemetery Take some solace in the company

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Direction South-West

Electric Avenue - Brixton

Brixton is known for many things, but three stand out above all: firstly, as a home to Britain's Afro-Caribbean communities. Secondly, as a thriving musical hub, across decades and genres, in gigs, in clubs and in the streets themselves. And finally - though the memories may be fading - as home to the 1981 riots, when rising social tensions caused by police racism, an active far-right in the form of the National Front and soaring unemployment, set the streets of Brixton ablaze.

Electric Avenue - Eddy Grant

Who is to blame in one country Never can get to the one Dealin' in multiplication And they still can't feed everyone Oh no, we gonna rock down to electric avenue And then we'll take it higher

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Lavender Hill

Lavender Hill Clapham has an interesting history dating back to the 18th century when it was widely known for its abundant lavender fields. In fact, the name "Lavender Hill" has been derived from these very fields and the region's flourishing lavender cultivation industry. Today, this vibrant street in South London consists of an array of shops, restaurants, and pubs; in addition to being home to renowned landmarks such as the Battersea Arts Centre.

Lavender Hill - The Kinks

I wanna walk you up Lavender Hill, Everybody loves Lavender Hill. Even the bird that sits in the tree, Seems to sing sweet melodies. Even the breeze is whispering, Lavender Hill for me.

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Kings Road - Chelsea

Before it became home to the rich, Chelsea used to be the home of punks and rockers. Both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards as well as Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones lived in here.
King's Road 49 is the location of the Chelsea drugstore from the Rolling Stones' song You Can't Always Get What You Want.

Kings Road Sporting Heroes - Wonk Unit

Sadomasochism, done a spell in prison Disgrace to the family Daddy's shooting foxes this time of year With little Noah's nanny
Kings road sporting heroes What a disgusting bunch Schooled in buggery, bullying and rugby Bunch of cunts

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