History
Thirteen years of live acoustic music
Thirteen years ago local musicians Paul Alcantara and Guy Simpson decided that North London needed a music venue that would bring top quality live acoustic artists to the area and that would also give local musicians a chance to play. And so the Kalamazoo Klub was born. From the start it was decided that the Klub would book not only well established artists but would also support new and local talent. A venue was found – the King’s Head which already hosted popular comedy nights.
The first night was a nail biting evening – would anyone turn up? Paul and Guy’s dreams were realised when, at 8.30 that evening, there was a queue right through the bar of the pub, upstairs and around the block! They had turned up to see 60s folk legend Bert Jansch, who has inspired a host of guitarists including Jimmy Page and Bernard Butler. Jansch has since played at the club on several occasions, most notably for Christmas 2001 when he played for free and all the profits went to Save The Children’s fund for child victims of war in Afghanistan. The following year Bert was joined by Crouch Ender Bernard Butler (former guitarist in Suede) when the donations were given to a charity helping disabled children.
Over the last thirteen years the Klub has played host to many outstanding artists, predominately in the folk and acoustic music traditions and has become well known not just in the area but around the country. This is our fourteenth year and we have booked a great list of gigs already with a few more to be announced (see enclosed). Paul and Guy play each month as the house band with a couple of friends and other local musicians often play support too.