The Silver Bullet

North Londoners! All you guys who spend hours every weekend on a bus to Camden or Shoreditch! Dwellers along the Victoria and Piccadilly lines! With all of you and many more in mind, gig venue entrepreneur Tom Allerton has decided to grace Finsbury Park with the UK’s first ever ‘pop-up’ live music venue, The Silver Bullet.

Taking over the defunct Gaslight, The Silver Bullet opened its harmonious doors on Thursday, May 27 and this original and unique venue will be a one-stop-shop for music lovers and followers of the edgiest club nights in London, courtesy of high profile live acts and DJs accompanied by the cream of the crop in blossoming talent.

Named after a train that made up part of Finsbury Park’s bustling railway in the 1960s, followed by an eponymous inn, The Silver Bullet is now a venue that will travel across the country. Starting off opposite London transport hub, Finsbury Park Station (with tube and 24 hours buses right outside the door), where it will be stationed for the next seven months, it will then land into some other peripheral neighbourhood in need of a super-cool, arty, indie gig factory.  Now that’s a great concept: a venue that keeps moving places never has the chance to let its moment in the spotlight wane or become routine, resulting in a consistently fresh experience for those who make the most of its temporary residence.

Owner Tom Allerton, who also manages the Hideaway Bar in Holloway, says: "I'm so excited about the birth of The Silver Bullet. We've been working hard to put together a top-notch calendar of music events, covering a wide variety of styles. Our music policy will hopefully bring people the eclecticism, colour & flair that can only be matched by the line-ups at some of today's best music festivals." Ronnie Joice, head of PR and promotions, says of the venture: "Finsbury Park is a hub of activity that has been over-looked for too long now and I personally hope to put it back on the map when it comes to live music and awesome parties. And, you know, a silver bullet is a means to an end - that’s what we want to be!"

The June calendar is already packed with events (my personal choice being Japanese rockers Bo Ningen on Thurs June 10th - can’t wait!), including Wednesdays with the venue playing host to London's longest standing open mic night, eARmusic, where artists from Jack Penate to Ellie Goulding have taken to the mic over the last six years. Rough Trade will be showcasing a variety of their favourite artists by curating the in-house jukebox which will be updated on a monthly basis. Meanwhile Dean Chalkley, NME and world-renowned music photographer, will be hosting his very own night, Black Cat, once a month from Saturday 12th June.
 In July expect a weekly pop quiz and late-night 'mini-cinema' screening, along with a regular comedy nights hosted by local golden boy Alex Zane. More information on www.thesilverbullet.co.uk.

THE SILVER BULLET, 5 Station Place, Finsbury Park,
London,N4 2DH, (020) 7619 3639