London’s famous Royal Albert Hall has announced its plans for the venue’s 150th year anniversary next year (2021). An all-star line-up has been put together for the celebrations, with sets from the likes of Disco funky legend Nile Rodgers, Rock legend Eric Clapton, British Rapper Tinie Tempa, and many more. The famous landmark is known for hosting a wide array of shows, gigs, and concerts and has had a long-standing reputation for hosting annual shows like the Proms and the bigger names in music.
Opened by Queen Victoria back in 1871 it has been a constant for leading artists and big-name shows being performed and viewed there. Hosting music across all genres, dance performances like ballet, Award ceremonies, and even showing live sporting events like tennis the Royal Alber Hall has had a long-standing history of being at the forefront and hight of London’s creative artistic world.
During the current Covid-19 Pandemic many music venues took a massive hit, many where and still are in danger of closing even after a government cash injection of £2.25 million going into small venues to keep them going. Although no classed as a small venue, the Royal Albert Hall was also hit hard by the pandemic “The independent venue in Kensington, London, reported a loss of £18m, plus £6.5m in refunded ticket sales, earlier this year.”. With the world starting to see a sense of normality and a vaccine now ready for the UK, the Royal Albert Hall is also in full motion to get back to normal by holding its celebrations early next year (2021).
At the helm of the celebration is CHIC’s own Nile Rodgers, Rodgers is currently the creative lead and Londons famous Abbey Road Studios. Rodgers has been a huge advocate of helping out live venues and will be composing a pop anthem for the event. “The musician joins an all-star line-up, including Eric Clapton, Patti Smith and Matthew Bourne, who will honour the iconic venue next year.”. The names do not stop there, British rapper Tinie Tempa will also be performing as well as John Legend.
To say the historic venue has played an important role in its lifetime is an understatement with notable vents like “the BBC Proms, the Hall has hosted everything from the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest to film premieres, the Mobo Awards and tennis tournaments. It has also played a part in political and social change in the UK, hosting suffrage meetings, memorials for the armed forces and rallies for nuclear disarmament. Sir Winston Churchill, the Dalai Lama, Emmeline Pankhurst, Nelson Mandela and the royal family have all graced the historical hall.”
Hopefully, as this year ends and the new year rolls in we can all look forward to a year of music, shows, gigs, tours, and festivals. Maybe we will be in the clear to enjoy a spectacle from a wide array of acts and get together to celebrate the historic Royal Albert Hall.
