Image: Toa Heftiba | Words by Immy Smith

Things To Do

Hattie Lloyd 07/02/22


Village Underground

Do you hear that?

It’s the sound of the Village Underground.

But you’ll most likely see it before you hear it – hard to miss with its four graffiti-splashed tube carriages that perch on the venue’s roof and loom into view as you circumnavigate Shoreditch High Street.

Set in an old Victorian coal warehouse, Village Underground opened in 2006 with the aim of providing affordable working studios for artists who were struggling to find a space in London. From club nights to live gigs, art shows, exhibitions, DJ sessions and much, much more, this multi-hyphenate venue has since grown to become one of the most popular creative spots in the City.

Village Underground

Unassuming on the outside, it spots all the tropes of a gig venue with urban grit, complete with utilitarian-looking doors and exposed brickwork. Step inside however and you’re greeted with a sleek expanse, kitted out with atmospheric lighting.

Not just for show, those recycled Jubilee line carriages, along with a pair of shipping containers, make up Village Undergound’s creative “platforms”, which still house up to 30 artists, playwrights, filmmakers, architects, photographers, producers and startups. Previous tenants include theatre company Punchdrunk, author and poet Joe Dunthorne, and the larger-than-life Sink The Pink troupe.

The late-night line-up at Village Underground reads like a buffet of international cuisine. There’s spicy techno with a side of beefed-up bass-heavy house followed by honey-dripping ambient trance. There’s also no holding back on the production with performances designed to create wholly immersive experiences for audiences, complete with light shows, dancers and on special occasions, pyrotechnics.

They don’t use them often, but when they do…

…there’s guaranteed to be fireworks.

 

NOTE: You can see what’s on at Village Underground, and book tickets, HERE.

Village Underground | 54 Holywell Lane, London EC2A 3PQ


Since you’re in the neighbourhood… check out the best restaurants in Shoreditch.


Village Underground


54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PQ