Because you go here for a concert or event, they feel like they can get away with a lot. So the drinks are ridiculously expensive. The toilets are disgusting. The queues everywhere are far too long. This place could be improved, but they won't because they know you want to see the band.
Will always be Brixton Academy. I was born in 1972. So there.
Classic London venue hosting the biggest bands as they come through town. Love the atmosphere here but have never been a fan of the sound. Tend to pump out too much bass swamping the mids and making everything rattle. The vibe makes up for the poor sound, tho.
Went to see Cypress Hill in concert...excellent night and venue.
Great venue, could be a bit more gradient in the stalls so a to provide a decent line of sight from the back. Seating is soso.
I went to Sink The Pink on Saturday and there was no aircon in the back areas so you can imagine how unbearable the heat was! It was dangerous.
Aside from that, the venue was ideal for this event.
Entry very well organised and secure. Comfortable inside apart from an excitable group sitting behind us. The woman had no spatial awareness and kept knocking in to one of us even though there is a very decent gap between each row. Can't do much about that I guess.
Only didn't give this 5 stars because while easy to get in, was very slow to get out.
Venue is great, Ben Howard was somewhat dissapoining. I felt he needed to just bang out a few hits but no just new fluffy whale noise rubbish. And one of his lights on a pole wasn't working.
Depending on who you have come to watch here it can sometimes be a slightly intimidating environment, metal scanners, security checks and all. The venue itself is a slightly banked view to the stage so you'll get a good view of your chosen act even of you stand at the back.
The only live music venue you should make an effort to visit.
The place is looking a bit tired but still a great place for what we cane to do. Listen to great music. The staff were friendly enough and looked after our safety very well. I would go again to see something I was interested in. Though it would be advised to bring ear defenders if you value your hearing.
A great venue. Sound is a bit muffled at times but it might be the acoustics of the venue.
fantastic live music venue, but does look in need of some refurbishment here and there
No trans welcome toilets???? O2 academy brixton can suck a bandaid but leave the good bandaids for pvris bc we still love them
Great venue, love the sloping floor back from the stage, gives everyone a great view
A very good music venue.. plenty of parking and food options before and after event. The venue is clean and very well organised inside
The sound was not that good. Also you aren't allowed to take water in, in a plastic bottle.
Fantastic venue, shame about the lights and sometimes dodgy sounds
Loved the venue, just the right size for a relatively intimate gig
Toilets smelled strongly. Seats also smelt. Felt very outdated to be honest. Stage is good but the general feel of the venue is quiet underwhelming and in desperate need of renovation (well the seats and toilets are least)
Gig was good. Venue has problems with cleanliness and the pricing for drinks is outrageous.
Sound at the venue is terrible with too much volume without clarity (unable to hear lead singer of the band I saw, sound was muddy etc) and the staff were unbelievably rude, screaming at us and dragging us physically from the queue because we had our 2 tickets still attached to each other towards the entrance even though it takes about 2 seconds to solve this. Additionally my partner was screamed at for not being able to put her arms up (in the very exacting way the staff wanted) while being frisked at security because if she did, she would have hit the person next to her in the face!
I have never ever been treated so poorly at a gig venue.
Brilliant atmosphere, alcohol is expensive but you get two for one drinks with o2 priority. Would defiantly go again.
One of the best music venues to see great bands
Sorry to say some of the saftey stewards have a power trip
Other than that top class entertainment venue
Nearly got yanked on my way to get my chicken and chips, nah fam I don't advise no man to go to this school it's a dead school, bare yats round there too bare yutes running round with these gay lookin man bags, nah g in my day air max 90 with a pen in Ma pocket that's how I roll, big up my boy ofsted for over rating this school
Good views for gigs, due to the sloped floor, but really bad and muddy sound. The vocals especially tend to suffer. Disappointing choice of drinks after the inevitably lengthy queues at the bar too. Could be great if they'd invest something in improving the acoustics. As it is, it's one to avoid.
A great venue for intimate gigs, where you feel very close to the stars.
Really good night at the Brixton O2. Been here a few times years ago. Lovely old building though in all honesty could probably do with a lick of paint. Had my bottle of water confiscated at the door which I found a little odd as people where able to buy booze inside the venue in plastic cups and take to their seats. Just about made it to the front row of the balcony in virtual darkness which I'm sure must be some sort of health and safety breach but nonetheless we had a great view but was told not to stand during the gig...at least the first three rows where! Overall though a good music venue and would go again.
One of my favourite venues, the floor slopes down to the stage making it easier to get a good view from anywhere.
Fantastic venue, I've seem many acts perform here and never been disappointed (except maybe with the toilets). Holds approx 5k people which is big enough for a great atmosphere and small enough that you are not straining to see who is on stage.
Brilliant acoustics, very professional staff. Even in a around of 100 felt safe and looked after. Much cheaper refreshments than other venues I have been to and very quick service from the many bars around the venue
seen a few artists here. great atmosphere and not too big that sound is lost.
Great venue, looked amazing and had a lot of space even though it was sold out
One of the most beautiful venues ever ! Great sound. Long queue quickly done. Good security. Just amazing! Here are some pictures of yesterday Linkin Park show there!
Best sound but smoke is only very late in the concert possible, as no extra smoking area. All have to go back to the exit and there you have to wait until they are all in the hall.
I ve been here a few times for a number of gigs, and the raked floor in the stalls is definitely a plus - so there s always a good view.
However, staff and security can be rather rude and dismissive. On a VIP ticket to see Carly Rae Jepsen, we were locked in the VIP bar for an hour and a half before being allowed to go into the hall as we couldn t leave the venue because our tickets had been scanned and can t be unscanned . This was contradictory to the information we d received.
Ive been here probably a dozen times over the years. Saw the impecable Rival Sons last night. A beer will set you back 6.25 for a pint. Plenty of bathrooms, easily accessable (5 min walk from Brixton tube) and food places nearby. Staff seem friendly enough. Gave 5 stars as the bands were that good
Had a great time on NYE. Staff were excellent, queues were quick, venue was clean. The entire night was well organised and the light show was spot on all night.
Without doubt Brixton Academy is my favourite venue to see a gig.
You always get something special at a show there and there is always a great buzz.
I have enjoyed seeing many great artists there from The Libertines to Bob Dylan to Franz Ferdinand to Ian Brown to The Charlatans to name but a few.
I found the venue easy to find on my first visit and it is served by a great selection of pubs where you can enjoy a pre-show pint should you wish. I always felt safe walking up there from the local tube station and walking back afterwards. On the one time the tube was off I easily managed to get a bus back across the river.
The drinks are reasonably priced for a concert venue and the staff are very polite. The security can be a little too strict sometimes but better safe than sorry.
The toilets are clean enough but perhaps a little smelly but hey this is not a West End theatre.
I always come out with a happy face and I am sure I will return there one day in the future.
London's best live music venue? Possibly.
London's longest queue for a drink? Almost certainly.
Waiting times aside, this venue is still one of the best places in the capital to watch live music. Big enough to create an awesome atmosphere but so no big that you feel like you're in an arena.
The excellent viewpoints, art deco designs and convenience for the tube give it the edge of most of it's rivals, if only it didn't take half an hour to pay over the odds for a warm beer.
#GoogleCityExplorer
One of the best London venues. Holds about 5,000 so one of the biggest non-arena venues in London. Seen loads of great bands here (Pantera, Slayer, Garbage) over the past 25 years. Floor slopes towards stage so most places you get a good view.
Great venue for gigs. Sadly on the wrong end of London for me, but Brixton is a great place to go out, have a few drinks, and catching a gig.
Great gig venue with sloping floor so that you get a better view of the stage
Great gig venue, well laid out with plenty of bars, good transport links and lots of history.
Went on a Sunday, decided to take the plunge and drive. There was loads of parking, and I found a space straight away as all the parking restrictions dont apply on a Sunday. Venue was quite nice, we was in the standing area which is sloped so we had a great view of the stage. Was definitely more intimate than the larger venues :)
The aggressive stuarts throwing water and bottles at people trying to capture Danzig. They didn't care about the crowd around the guilty one. Shame on them all! I had to retreat to the back in disappointment and never liked the gig after that. I feel like I was robbed...
Great venue for a gig never been before but would go again
Due to the old theatre style building the main floor is sloped from the stage to the back, unlike a lot of arenas. This makes it much easier to see on stage. The Kano gig I went to was sold out, but there was enough space to be not completely squashed up against surrounding people, which was nice. That said it did get very hot in there. The inside of the venue is extremely beautiful, I wasn't expecting it to be so grand, so it was a nice touch. Very short walk to Brixton underground station too making it and easy place to get to. Overall I can't fault it as a venue, all the staff were nice and the venue was great!
Great venue for music, drinks are expensive as expected. No smoking area either but in general it's an amazing place to visit!
Great venue, not too crowded. Friendly staff. Toilets clean and kept stocked. Queues kept moving.
Great venue easy to get to places to eat and drink nearby.cos it has a sloping floor you get a good view of the stage .
I loved it here over the years. Hasn't changed much. Probably close down soon.
I took my daughter and nice to their first concert and they love it. Is clean, organised, and child friendly...
No disabled access to upper floors including toilets
Extremely friendly staff and O2 angels, wonderful sloped floor. Best views and sounds incredible
Great old theatre had a wonderful time seeing 'LINKIN PARK ' on the 4th July . Would recommend this place to anyone for a more up close and personal concert with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
"R.I.P Chester" you made our night.
Great venue good facilities
Let down a bit by one bully steward
An iconic venue with character and history. Great views of the stage from the stalls thanks to the raked floor, fabulous acoustics, great facilities and plenty of signposting. The security staff are even polite, friendly and funny! Unbeatable.
Just add your favourite band, playing your favourite song, for the best night of your life.
academymusicgroup.com