The legendary Barfly music venue is set to reopen on June 22, sparking hopes that Camden's iconic music scene might be making a comeback. For long-time residents and music lovers, the return of this venue signals a potential revival of the area's gritty, creative soul that defined the Noughties.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Martin Robinson, a former resident and NME staffer, recalls living above a Belgo restaurant in Camden High Street, where a vat of fat marked the entrance to his flat. The area was a hub for musicians, celebrities, and misfits during the post-Strokes, post-White Stripes era. Today, Belgo has been replaced by a Nando's, and the Hawley Arms pub, while still shabby, now sits opposite the Hawley Wharf development—a stark contrast to the old market stalls that burned down in 2008.
Camden's Battle for Soul
Camden is experiencing a rebirth, but it's a battle for its soul. While music venues struggle, business booms. Named the start-up capital of London in 2021, the area now hosts companies like MTV and ASOS. Koko, the former Camden Palace, has undergone a £70 million transformation into a '360 media hub' with a pizzeria and members' club. Similarly, the market area around the Lock has been developed into an 'ecosystem of shopping, eating, and leisure venues'. The Amy Winehouse statue in Stables Market seems to roll its eyes at the commercialization.
Still Authentic at Heart
Despite the changes, Camden retains its authenticity. Drugs are still offered between the Dublin Castle and The Good Mixer. The Barfly's reopening in its original location, replacing the Camden Assembly, suggests the Libertine dream lives on. The pedestrianisation of the high street has been a welcome move, encouraging freedom rather than gentrification.
Camden's Creative Incubator
Camden's free-spirited nature as an incubator for talent stems from its history as a poor, cheap area that attracted artists from Charles Dickens to Jimi Hendrix. Jazzie B from Soul II Soul, who started his stall in the market in the Eighties, emphasizes the area's global influence: 'It was about the art not the money.' The Disney+ documentary 'Camden', executive produced by Dua Lipa, reignited attention on the area, featuring contributions from Yungblud, Boy George, and Nile Rodgers.
Signs of Revival
While the buzz faded after The Libertines imploded and Amy Winehouse died, there are signs of a comeback. The Camden Collective, a non-profit, supports start-ups with free hot desks and subsidised office space, ensuring locals aren't priced out. The Roundhouse remains busy with top artists. As Jazzie B puts it, Camden is not a place to be reborn but a stalwart undergoing constant evolution—an artery for future generations.
