Amanda Palmer @ 100 Club, London
The Venue
For this gig we found ourselves at The 100 Club which is steeped in history dating back to 1942, however I’m not going to go into that, instead I’ll give you this direct link to the history of the club.
The entrance to the club is rather subtle really and if you didn’t know it was there you probably wouldn’t notice it as it looks like the entrance to some flats or an office, only with a sign saying 100 Club protruding out of it.
We went in, then down, and down into the very bowels of London to find a rather large basement with bars at either end (which makes getting drinks so much easier!), a large selection of chairs set up (as this was a seated gig), the stage with a piano (of course), and a couple of extra chairs with a violin. The walls were covered from top to bottom in photos of artists and bands who had played there, you could feel the energy in the room.
I would gladly return to The 100 Club for a gig in the future - especially as it had air con which was bliss in this heat!
The Main Event
I have never been to an Amanda Palmer gig, I’ve watched a few on YouTube, but I’ll tell you now, it does not prepare you!
There wasn’t to be an opener but while getting a coffee Amanda met a musician who had their own band called Cusk, Esme Creed-Miles and Evie made up the band and were fantastic to listen to, unfortunately I can’t find any links to the band, but I believe they are planning to release their debut EP, here’s the bands Instagram.
These two set the scene and soon Amanda herself had taken to the stage and began. It was a very informal gig which I can only describe as a very large family gathering around a piano where a member (or head in this case) of the family is going to play and sing, only this was even more intimate, raw, and emotional, as it wasn’t a ‘performance’ but the reading of the person’s private journal in song. It was deeply connecting and made me feel so many different emotions throughout the gig, a rollercoaster from sadness, happiness, love, there were many times my eyes would well up, so much laughter.
She performed some of her usual songs, a huge selection of new songs which were intense, thought provoking, full of feeling, she also performed a cover of Jill Sobule’s Mexican Wrestler which was lovely and my first introduction to Jill Sobule. Between songs (and even in songs) there was chat and interaction with the audience, even a mistake during one of the songs which Amanda made us aware of before starting again (no ego which was refreshing and made me respect her even more), it all heightened that family feeling.
Amanda did some meet and greets after, but we opted to go and find our hotel to decompress before bed.
On a whole my first Amanda Palmer was an experience I will hold close to me and cherish every moment of, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of something so special and very eager for more going forward.
Unfortunately I didn’t take a lot of photos of Amanda which I regret, but I was so caught up in the experience of it all.
The Sleepover
As the gig was an evening one I booked a hotel for us to stay at which was The President Hotel on Guilford Street. Not long ago I did a week long stay here and found it to be affordable and had everything I needed. During that trip I was on the 1st floor but this time I was up on the 7th floor in room 753 which really wasn’t up to the standard of the previous room I had. We were up at the very top of the hotel with one lift as the only way up, this lift seemed to be an old service one which was tiny and extremely slow, I wouldn’t want to be in it with more than three people. Compared to the other parts of the hotel the corridor was much narrower and rather difficult to navigate with the half doors, it was also stonkingly hot with the heat wave, I’m quite sure the 1st floor I was previously on was air conditioned. The room itself was tiny and looked quite dated, the bed seemed smaller than the last one, and the door was so thin that you could hear everything in the corridor. The shower was tiny, back in my previous room the shower was fantastic, a highlight of the room. The only good thing going for it was that it offered fantastic views of London, however, that didn’t save it, and I don’t think I’ll ever be returning unless I can guarantee a first floor room.
After the gig we dipped into the Atrium for cocktails and like my previous stay the service was horrendous; a long wait for our drinks, only to be given the wrong drinks, then a longer wait for our actual drinks - we almost walked out. Min needed the toilet while we were there but the disabled toilet was locked, and they seemed rather reluctant to give access to it, even though Min was hobbling around on their stick. Based on my two experiences with the Atrium in the evening, it’s best avoided, great during the lunch hours though!
Munchies and Slurpies
Honest Burgers Waterloo - As big fans of Honest this was our first port of call where we had the signature burger, which was fantastic, and I tried the Gravity Theory Cider which was refreshing and tasty. Service was quick and friendly, really welcoming people. It did not disappoint.
Simmons, Soho - A chain cocktail bar full of life and quirkiness, we only stayed for one drink but the drink was fairly decent and very affordable.
Honest Burgers South Bank - … Big fans I said! This time it was the South Bank burger which was a wonderful burger however, personally, the Waterloo one was much better, still an Honest burger is always a pleasant meal! I noticed they had a gluten free beer and lager here so I tried the Juicy Chug Jiddler’s Tipple which was a very nice beer. Service was a bit less friendly but still good.
Caffe Tropea, Russell Square - What a lovely place to grab a coffee in the morning! Russell Square is a lovely spot in London to take in some green and enjoy some relative peace. It’s a fantastic spot to people watch, and if you’re a fan of dogs, there’s lots of fluffy cuteness running around! As for the coffee — delicious and doesn’t break the bank!
