Over the years we’ve featured the fascinating story of this former cinema, built in the 1920s, several times (read the latest, by curator-turned-author Jane Giles here).
But since 1999, it’s fair to say The Scala has cemented its rep for live music. To mark its milestone birthday, it turns back the clock on entry fee and bar prices for one night only (Wednesday 20th March). So, as the song goes, you can party like it’s 1999.
With pints clocking in at a joyous £3 (for the first time since the millennium), it all sounds like quite a riot. Just remember to pace yourselves, yeah?
On the birthday itself indie rock troupe The Orielles headline, supported by south London multi-instrumentalist wunderkind Mellah and newcomers Crewel Intentions.
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Also on during the celebratory week (with bar prices back to normal, bah humbug) is electronic duo Simian Mobile Disco and the all-female Deep Throat Choir who perform their critically-acclaimed collaborative album Murmurations (19th); while the return of legendary indie LGBT+ club Popstarz is on 23th (that’s one we hold very dear, especially the awesome top-floor disco room).
Finishing off this boozy week of festivities is a special Garage Nation night, featuring twenty DJs and MCs on hand to toast the last twenty years of garage music (24th).
Eclectic as ever, then. Let’s hope the next two decades are a breeze.
