by Fiend on Thu May 25, 2006 2:10 pm
I reckon one gig would do it, a tour is potentially asking for trouble. Personally speaking, I think the Underworld would be the best place to go - everyone knows where it is and it is of a decent enough size without being OTT. I know metallers who practically LIVE in that place, you'd be guaranteed to get a reasonable enough crowd.
You don't have to hire the whole thing out, I believe that you can hire out the main room and side bar (without the main bar upstairs) for a significantly reduced price. There aren't a lot of other options - the Verge in Kentish Town used to be the underground venue of choice but is now some sort of ponce bar. Other possibilities at this level for London venues:
Purple Turtle - also in Camden, fairly decent 'smaller' alternative to the Underworld, more gigs seem to take place there now.
Electrowerkz - based in Angel, foul, more of a black metal venue.
Dublin Castle - Camden based. Bit of an indie pit but fairly good.
Kings Head - popular Fulham venue, used to (still is?) used for Total Rock gigs. Not my favourite.
Metro - on Oxford Street. Not bad, hard to load/unload vehicles due to Central London location.
I'd go Purple Turtle or Underworld. Well-known in metal circles, relatively easily accessible places.
I wouldn't worry too much about getting the punters in - just advertise like feck, promote it, flyer it at all appropriate gigs and metal nights (Marlborough Head, London Stone e.t.c.). It is MORE than possible to make this a success.