Camden Calling
Description
How did a rundown Irish part of North London become one of the world's premier music destinations? Starting with Irish Dancehalls and traditional Irish music pub sessions from the 1930s, in1963 there was a Jim Reeves riot!, by 1966 the hippies took over the Roundhouse and NW1's rise to Rock n Roll notoriety began. Psychedelia, Heavy Metal, Pub Rock, Punk, New Romantics, Goth, Indie and Britpop, they were all shaped here, by the 1990s it was one of the hippest places on the planet. We visit venues, recording studios, record shops, pubs, markets and rehearsal rooms and tell Camden's remarkable story About the organiser: Aidan McManus is an award-winning tour guide, historian, broadcaster, and curator of music-related film events. West London-born of Irish heritage, he was a teenage participant in the punk scene and later its soul, 2-Tone and rave cultures.He is the host of Flipside London Radio, a fortnightly Portobello Radio programme focusing on books, music, history and youth culture.
Tour Options
Itinerary
How did a rundown Irish part of North London become one of the world's premier music destinations? Starting with Irish Dancehalls and traditional Irish music pub sessions from the 1930s, in1963 there was a Jim Reeves riot!, by 1966 the hippies took over the Roundhouse and NW1's rise to Rock n Roll notoriety began. Psychedelia, Heavy Metal, Pub Rock, Punk, New Romantics, Goth, Indie and Britpop, they were all shaped here, by the 1990s it was one of the hippest places on the planet. We visit venues, recording studios, record shops, pubs, markets and rehearsal rooms and tell Camden's remarkable story
How did a rundown Irish part of North London become one of the world's premier music destinations? Starting with Irish Dancehalls and traditional Irish music pub sessions from the 1930s, in1963 there was a Jim Reeves riot!, by 1966 the hippies took over the Roundhouse and NW1's rise to Rock n Roll notoriety began. Psychedelia, Heavy Metal, Pub Rock, Punk, New Romantics, Goth, Indie and Britpop, they were all shaped here, by the 1990s it was one of the hippest places on the planet. We visit venues, recording studios, record shops, pubs, markets and rehearsal rooms and tell Camden's remarkable story
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(18)
Aidan was a fantastic guide! So knowledgeable and entertaining, and I loved listening to his stories about going to gigs when he was young (especially almost touching Joe Strummer's hand). I will definitely book with him again for another tour next time I'm in London.
This was our second private tour with Aidan. He does a great job describing the music history of the area including many personal anecdotes. He tailored the tour to bands I was interested in and included landmarks in Camden Market. My husband enjoyed learning the architectural and engineering history of the area including the Canal and manual locks. Highly recommend!
A very illuminating tour of the Camden area and it's music history. Aiden has lived and breathed the musical past of Camden and has a great knowledge of who played where and when including all the bands he saw at the various venues.. He also debunked some of the myths that have grown up around the area. A most enjoyable tour which I highly recommend.
Aidan was a fantastic guide who gave us some behind-the-scenes knowledge on Camden with a mix of textbook and personal history.
Our fourth time on a tour with Aidan. And again an unmatched experience. Great fun, interesting stories, 100% authentic, vivid, the important steps in Camdens history appear before your eyes and you get some hint about nonsense you get told on other tours. perfect tour for everyone in love with music and Camden or those who want to fall
Really good tour around Camden Aiden knows his stuff and is great craic. A must do tour if you are ever down that way
I've done every one of the Flipside Tours, after first happening upon them back in 2016; the Soho Punk Rock and Strummerwalk twice (yes they are *that great*, and just as enjoyable second time around). So when this one appeared, I jumped at it. Eddie M's review here paints the perfect and a very comprehensive picture (I recommend finding it), just as for two hours 30(+), the affable, walking Wikipedia, FlipsideLondon Tour guide Aidan McManus paints an expansive and very comprehensive picture of Camden's vivid and varied musical history. A wealth of things you won't know, joy upon finding yourself standing next to places that are footnotes on your favourite albums, priceless anecdotes (Aidan *was there*) and, as with every Flipside Tour, the feeling at the end that (a) you've just had the best experience you're going to have that day, and (b) you quite fancy doing that one again. Every FlipsideLondon Tour I've deemed *essential* to music fans (be they fans of specific bands or just music history in general), and even for those with only a 'passing interest' in music history, fun and fascinating tours that can't be beaten. Camden Calling is no exception. The best walking tours in London (and, based on admittedly limited experience, probably also on the planet). I'll be doing this one again too.
I love Aidan's tours. His knowledge, humour, friendliness & wicked accent make the tours so engaging. Can't wait to go on the next one!
Our second tour with Aidan, both of which have been fantastic. Perfect length with the option to end at a decent pub to round off the walk nicely. Perfectly pitched to satisfy both the hardcore music fan and punter with casual interest (which is no mean feat). Heartily recommend. We are looking forward to doing the next one!
Aidan was friendly, knowledgeable, and a fantastic guide. He took my sister and me right back to the Camden of our youth with his stories and insights—funny, witty, and a wonderful way to spend a few hours down memory lane. Even if the area is new to you, you’ll learn so much. I’m really looking forward to exploring the links he shared for films, books, and more stories about the area.
