In this guide, we'll walk you through how to find and book concerts, what to expect at each type of venue, and share our honest opinions on where you'll have the best experience. We've grouped London's concert venues into four categories by size, from 90,000-capacity stadiums down to cosy clubs that hold a few hundred.
How to Find Concerts in London
Tickets for popular shows sell out fast, sometimes within minutes, so it pays to be prepared. The biggest concerts are usually the most popular, and while you might expect it to be easier to get a ticket to the 90,000 capacity Wembley than a 1,500 capacity venue, it’s usually the opposite. Don’t be surprised to see yourself in position 50,000 when queuing to one of the most popular events. Luckily, there is a high chance that the band or the artist will play multiple gigs if the first ones sell out quickly, so don’t despair if you don’t get a ticket to the first one.
Here are the best ways to stay on top of what's coming up:
Ticketing platforms are where you'll buy most tickets. The main ones are Ticketmaster, See Tickets, AXS and Dice. It's worth creating accounts on all of them, as different venues and promoters use different platforms. Sign up for their mailing lists to get early access and presale notifications. There are often several types of sales. Some bands let you sign up on their website for a pre-sale, and specific credit card brands often have their own pre-sales one or two days before general availability. One option is VIP packages, which are costly but also available closer to the shows. The larger platforms usually sell tickets for most shows, but services like Dice often host many interesting events in more niche genres.
Songkick is our favourite tool for tracking upcoming concerts. Add your favourite artists and it'll notify you the moment a London date is announced. You can also connect your Spotify or Apple Music accounts to Songkick to automatically track the artists you listen to. Also, Spotify and Apple Music have features to show upcoming concerts for an artist.
Venue newsletters are another good bet. If you have a favourite venue, subscribe to their email list directly. Venues like the Roundhouse and Royal Albert Hall often announce shows to their own subscribers before general sale.
Social media can also help. Follow your favourite artists and venues on Instagram or X, as presale codes and surprise shows are often shared there first.
Buying Concert Tickets: Prices, Tips & What to Know About Resale
Ticket prices vary hugely depending on the venue and artist. As a rough guide:
- Stadium concerts (Wembley, London Stadium): from around £75, with premium seats often £150–300+. Dynamic pricing is often used when tickets are selling fast, increasing even for standard ticket prices towards the £150 - £200 range.
- Large arenas (The O2, OVO Wembley Arena): from around £50–80
- Mid-size venues (Roundhouse, Eventim Apollo): from around £30–60
- Small clubs (KOKO, Jazz Cafe): from around £15–40
Many concerts offer VIP packages that get you closer to the stage, provide early entry, or offer access to exclusive areas. These can be worth it at larger venues where the difference between a good and bad spot is significant and also, as mentioned before, it’s easier to get VIP tickets if you can afford it. For smaller venues and bands, a VIP package may even include a photo opportunity with the artist.
Sold-out shows don't always mean you've missed out. Popular tours frequently add extra dates when initial shows sell well, so keep checking even if the first date sold out. Official resale platforms like Twickets sell tickets at face value. If you're willing to pay above face value, platforms like StubHub and Viagogo are options, though you'll pay a premium. We'd recommend trying official resale first.
Stadium & Outdoor Concerts
London's biggest shows happen outdoors in summer, typically from June through August. If you're visiting during this period and a major artist is performing, it's an experience worth planning your trip around. There's nothing quite like a warm summer evening with 80,000 other fans and you can often hear the crowd singing from outside the stadium.
Wembley Stadium (90,000)
Wembley is London's most iconic large concert venue and the one the biggest international artists choose for their UK shows during the summer. The stadium holds up to 90,000 fans for concerts and the atmosphere is absolutely electric. Getting there is easy. Wembley Park station on the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines drops you right at the stadium, and the walk up Olympic Way with thousands of other fans is part of the experience. Public transport is going to get very busy when the concert ends, and there is going to be some queuing involved to get back home.
Past headliners include Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Adele. Typical summer lineups feature a mix of legacy rock acts and current pop superstars. This year, more than a million tickets were sold for the 12 Harry Styles concerts. Other performers this summer are My Chemical Romance, Bruno Mars, Luke Combs, The Weeknd and Bon Jovi.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,850)
The newest entry into the stadium concert market in London is the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, completed in 2019, and the first concerts were held in 2022. The stadium has modern facilities (it’s new). This year, they are really making a splash in the music event space, as the concert lineup includes Zach Bryan, Gorillaz, Bad Bunny, BTS, and System of a Down. It’s easy to get to using the London Overground (White Hart Lane, Seven Sisters) or the Victoria Line (Tottenham Hale, Seven Sisters) on the tube. There are also good bus connections.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium events
London Stadium (62,500)
Built for the 2012 Olympics in Stratford, the London Stadium also hosts major concerts during the summer. It's slightly smaller than Wembley but has excellent sightlines and modern facilities. The surrounding Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is worth exploring before the show.
Artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse and The Weeknd have performed here. It tends to attract a slightly different roster than Wembley, often leaning towards rock and alternative acts. This year, there are two music events, and the bands playing there are Take That and Metallica.
Getting there is easy, with good connections to Stratford via the tube, the Elizabeth line, the Overground, or the DLR.
BST Hyde Park
BST (British Summer Time) Hyde Park is a highlight of London's summer music calendar, running in late June and early July in the heart of the city. Unlike a stadium, the open-air setting in one of London's most beautiful parks gives these concerts a uniquely festive feel. You can enjoy food from a great selection of stalls, and the atmosphere is more relaxed than a typical stadium gig. There are several ticket types available, including VIP tickets, offering better views for a price.
The lineup typically spans a wide range from pop legends like Robbie Williams and Kylie to rock acts like Kings of Leon and even K-pop groups like Stray Kids. This year, the lineup includes Garth Brooks, Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons, Duran Duran, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi.
BST Hyde Park is one of our favourite ways to see a big-name artist in London. The central location means you can easily combine it with a day of sightseeing.
Kew the Music
Kew Gardens is world-famous for its botanical gardens, but each July it also hosts Kew the Music, a week-long series of evening concerts featuring a different artist each night. This is the most relaxed concert experience in London. Bring a picnic blanket, grab food and/or drinks from the stalls, and enjoy the music in beautiful gardens as the sun sets.
The lineup tends towards singer-songwriters, soft rock and nostalgic acts. Acts such as Passenger and Ronan Keating have played there. It's not the place for a high-energy show, but it's a genuinely lovely evening out. The lineup for 2026 hasn't been announced yet and we'll update this post when it is announced.
Large Indoor Arenas (10,000–20,000)
For big-name artists outside of the summer stadium season, London's indoor arenas are where the action is. These venues host concerts year-round and are your best bet for seeing major international acts.
The O2 Arena (20,000)
London's largest indoor arena sits in North Greenwich, on the Thames opposite Canary Wharf. With over 200 events per year and a capacity for 20,000 concert-goers, The O2 is the best option if you want to see a major artist. Popular performers often play multiple nights here, which means more tickets are available and better chances of getting in.
The venue itself is impressive and well-run. Beyond concerts, the wider O2 complex has dozens of restaurants and designer outlet shops, so you can easily make an evening of it. There is an option to climb to the top of the O2 (Up at The O2), and lots of activities are available, such as indoor skydiving or bowling.
Getting there is simple: the Jubilee line to North Greenwich station drops you right at the entrance, or you can take the Emirates Cable Car from the Royal Docks for a more scenic approach.
Recent and upcoming performers include Tool, Olivia Rodrigo, Justin Timberlake and Thirty Seconds to Mars. As mentioned, there are over 200 events per year, and we are not going to list them here. You can check them from the O2 website or the major ticketing websites.
OVO Arena Wembley (12,500)
The second-largest indoor venue in London sits right next to Wembley Stadium in the Wembley Park area. It hosts a mix of concerts, stand-up comedy and other live entertainment. The artists here tend to be the next tier down from O2 headliners, well-known names, but not quite filling 20,000 seats.
Think acts like ZZ Top, Scorpions, Boyz II Men, Within Temptation and Nightwish. Rock and metal are quite often featured in the arena, and it’s well-suited for this. Many fans prefer a standing ticket, but seating is also available on the upper level.
The arena is well-connected to Wembley Park station via the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines, though transport can get congested if Wembley Stadium also has an event that evening.
Alexandra Palace (10,250)
Known affectionately as Ally Pally, Alexandra Palace is an iconic venue on a hill in north London, with panoramic views across the city. The hill that Ally Pally sits on top of is about 100 meters high, so it's worth arriving early just for the vista. The area is also known as the birthplace of television, and the old TV masts are still visible on the roof. There’s a rooftop adventure where you can climb to the roof of the building at an altitude of 130 meters above sea level.
Alexandra Palace is a large grade II-listed collection of buildings with a variety of architectural styles (with palm trees inside) and several performance and other activity spaces. The main concert hall holds 10,250 people, and what makes it special is that everyone is on the same level. There's no tiered seating, but everyone is standing on one flat floor, which creates an atmosphere that feels more like a massive club than an arena. It's particularly good for rock and alternative acts where energy matters. Bastille, Architects and Lorna Shore are among the artists who've played memorable shows here.
There is a spacious hall just for food and drinks with plenty of selection just outside the great hall.
The easiest way to get there is to take the Piccadilly line to Wood Green, with a shuttle bus taking concert goers up the hill that leaves very close to the tube station. Alternatively, you can take a Thameslink or Great Northern train to the Alexandra Palace station, from where it takes about 15 minutes to walk up the hill. You can also walk from Wood Green station, which will take 20-30 minutes.
Mid-Size Concert Venues (2,000–5,000)
This is where things get really interesting, and it's our favourite category. Many of the most memorable concerts happen at mid-size venues where you're close enough to see the performer's expressions, the sound is excellent, and the atmosphere is electric without being overwhelming. If you're choosing between seeing an artist at the O2 or at a mid-size venue, we'd almost always recommend the smaller show, should you find your favourite artist playing there. If they can fill The O2, the chances are you won’t find them in the smaller venues, though. There are sometimes exceptions; for example, Muse recently held a concert at the O2 Academy Brixton to celebrate the release of their new album. These venues host a huge range of artists that you won't see at the big arenas. Rising stars, genre acts that don't fill 10,000 seats (progressive rock, heavier metal, indie), and sometimes established artists who prefer more intimate settings.
Royal Albert Hall (5,200)
The Royal Albert Hall in Kensington is one of London's most iconic buildings and arguably the most beautiful concert venue in the city. Stepping inside for the first time is a genuine wow moment. The circular Victorian architecture, the red velvet, and the sheer grandeur of the space make every performance feel special.
It's best known for classical music, particularly the annual BBC Proms season each summer, which runs from July to September and offers world-class performances, many at affordable prices. But the Royal Albert Hall also hosts pop, rock, and jazz concerts, which are extraordinary experiences in this setting. The acoustics are top-notch, and you can hear every note from the piano.
Royal Albert Hall makes an exception to the “rule” that a band does not play in a smaller venue if they can fill a larger space. Many very famous acts have special shows there just because it is the Royal Albert Hall. There's something magical about hearing acts such as Adele, Bryan Adams, Sigur Rós or Apocalyptica in a venue this magnificent. This year’s lineup includes Paul Simon, Kraftwerk, Joe Bonamassa, and many more.
One of our favourite event types here is Films in Concert, where you watch a movie while a full symphony orchestra performs the soundtrack live. The movies vary, and this year includes The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Whether you're a film fan or a music lover, it's an unforgettable experience.
The atmosphere can feel surprisingly intimate despite the 5,200 capacity, especially from the stalls or lower gallery seats. The nearest tube station is South Kensington or High Street Kensington.
Royal Albert Hall event calendar
Eventim Apollo (3,600–5,000)
Also known to many Londoners as the Hammersmith Apollo (its former name), this venue in Hammersmith is a classic. The architecture is that of a grand London theatre, with tiered seating across multiple levels that wraps around the stage. Even from the upper balcony, you feel connected to the performance. There are no obstructed views and the acoustics are excellent.
The venue attracts a genuinely diverse range of artists and performances, from pop stars to rock legends. This year, there are concerts from bands/artists such as Craig David, Judas Priest, Europe, Marillion and Ólafur Arnalds. Outside of concerts, the venue hosts many stand-up comedy shows, and can be considered the main venue for them in London. There are also some movie performances with a symphonic orchestra, as in the Royal Albert Hall.
The venue is well served by the Piccadilly line and District/Hammersmith & City lines to Hammersmith station.
Brixton Academy (4,921)
O2 Academy Brixton (usually just called Brixton Academy) is one of London's most celebrated live music venues. The sloped floor means everyone gets a decent view of the stage, regardless of height, a genuine advantage over flat-floored venues. The atmosphere for the right gig is legendary.
It's a south London icon that has hosted some of the most famous concerts in British music history. The venue is right next to Brixton station on the Victoria line. There is a very good and varied lineup for the rest of the year, with performers such as Big Thief, A Perfect Circle, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Melanie C, Arlo Parks, Rizzle Kicks, The Pogues, and many more. Check out all events from the link below.
British Airways ARC (3,800)
Now, we can’t say much about the soon-to-be-opened British Airways ARC in Olympia, London, except that it looks great in pictures and is the latest addition to the live music space. It is part of a major transformation project for the iconic Olympia, London. The first events have been scheduled, and feature artists such as Self Esteem, McFly and Khalid. We expect the venue to host many good shows in the future, and aim to visit it as soon as the events start. While it doesn’t have the history of the other venues in this article, we didn’t want to leave it out.
Roundhouse (3,300)
The legendary Roundhouse is one of our absolute favourite concert venues in London, and it sits just north of the buzzing Camden Town area. The nearest tube station is Chalk Farm on the Northern line, and Camden Town station is also a short walk away, meaning you can combine a gig with exploring Camden's famous markets, food stalls and shops.
As the name suggests, the Roundhouse is circular, which makes it so special. The main floor wraps around the stage, meaning even the furthest standing spots are only about 20-25 metres from the stage. The upper-level gallery seating is at a similar distance, giving you a bird's-eye view that's just as good.
Getting close to the stage is usually easy if you arrive about half an hour before doors open. One thing to be aware of: depending on the genre, the floor can get very lively. Metal and punk shows regularly produce mosh pits, so check what you're getting into and choose the gallery if you prefer to watch from a safe distance.
There are bars available in the concert hall, at the outer edges of the circle.
Indigo at The O2 (2,800)
Sitting within The O2 complex in Greenwich, Indigo fills the gap between the O2 Arena and London's mid-size venues. It's a modern, well-designed space that hosts a wide range of acts from comedy and soul to rock and pop performers who are between club-level and arena-level fame. If you're already visiting The O2 area, check what's on at Indigo too.
Southbank Centre & Royal Festival Hall (2,700)
The Southbank Centre is London's largest arts complex, sitting right on the Thames with views across to the Houses of Parliament. The Royal Festival Hall is the main concert space, seating 2,700 in a beautiful mid-century modern auditorium.
While best known for classical music and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Southbank Centre hosts a surprisingly broad programme including jazz, world music, folk, electronic and pop artists. Some examples of this year’s line-up are Incognito, Julian Lage and Chicane. The Meltdown Festival, curated each year by a different artist, is a highlight, and this year it is curated by Harry Styles.
The location is unbeatable for combining a concert with other activities. You're steps from the London Eye, the National Theatre, and the Southbank's famous bookstalls. Waterloo Station is the nearest mainline and tube stop.
O2 Forum Kentish Town (2,300)
O2 Forum Kentish Town is located just north of Camden. The building has the structure of a classic London theatre, with the ground floor as a standing area for many events. There is a lot of variation in musical styles from singer-songwriter to reggae to metal. Our experiences in the venue have been from metal concerts and it’s been a great place to see them.
Kentish Town station on the Northern line is the closest stop.
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (2,000)
Located in west London in the Shepherd's Bush area, this is another venue built on the classic theatre template with multiple tiers of seating curving around a standing floor. It's a solid, reliable mid-size venue that attracts a broad range of indie, rock, and alternative acts, similar to the O2 Forum Kentish Town. Our favourite concert at the venue has been Polyphia, where the crowd went wild with mosh pits and crowd surfing. In addition to concerts, Shepherd’s Bush Empire also feature stand-up comedy performances.
Shepherd's Bush station on the Central line is right outside.
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire events
Barbican Centre (2,000)
The Barbican is London's other major arts centre, located in the City of London near Moorgate and Barbican tube stations. Its concert hall seats around 2,000 and is home to the London Symphony Orchestra. The programming is predominantly classical and contemporary classical. If you're looking for chart-topping artists, this isn't the place, but if you appreciate world-class orchestral music and avant-garde performances, the Barbican is exceptional.
There’s a very special place inside the centre, i.e., the conservatory, which is the second-largest in London and a surprising feature in a brutalist building. Additionally, the centre has a cinema and restaurants, cafés and bars. The brutalist architecture of the wider Barbican complex is worth exploring in its own right, and there’s a tour available exactly for that.
Small & Intimate Music Venues
The atmosphere becomes even more special when you step into one of London's beloved small venues and clubs. These are the places where you're metres from the artist, the sound feels personal, and you leave feeling like you've been part of something rather than just an audience member.
Electric Ballroom (1,500)
Another Camden institution, the Electric Ballroom, has been a staple of London's alternative and indie music scene for decades. It's a no-frills venue where the focus is entirely on the music. Located right on Camden High Street, very close to the tube station, it's easy to find and surrounded by places to eat and drink. Looking from the outside, you might be surprised that there’s a concert venue inside.
However, it’s one of our favourite concert venues, where you get close enough to the band to really get into the mood. In addition to the standing spaces, there’s a small upstairs section with some seating. The venue services are great, with multiple points of sale and almost no queuing. Also, drink prices are some of the lowest we’ve seen.
KOKO (1,410)
KOKO in Camden is one of London's most iconic music venues. Originally a Victorian theatre, it reopened after extensive renovations and is now a beautifully designed space that combines the original ornate architecture with modern sound and lighting. The intimate capacity makes every show feel special.
Camden Town station on the Northern line is the closest tube stop, and the surrounding area is perfect for a pre-gig meal or drink.
There’s a varied lineup of performers from different genres. The full lineup is available on their website, linked below. To name a few, the following artists are part of this year’s lineup: Bob Sinclair, Flea & the Honora Band, Armand Van Helden, Batiste, Yebba and Lapsley.
O2 Academy Islington (800)
Located inside the N1 Centre shopping complex just off Upper Street, O2 Academy Islington is the smallest of London's four O2 Academy venues and has an intimate, no-frills feel. It hosts a mix of established acts looking for a smaller setting and emerging artists on the rise, with indie, rock, metal and alternative music dominating the programme. The location in Islington is a real bonus. You're right in the middle of one of London's liveliest pub and restaurant neighbourhoods, so it's easy to make a night of it.
Angel tube station on the Northern line is a few minutes’ walk away, and Highbury & Islington (Victoria line and Overground) is also within walking distance.
Wigmore Hall (552)
Wigmore Hall in Marylebone is considered one of the finest small concert halls in the world for classical and chamber music. The acoustics are extraordinary: warm, clear, and perfectly balanced for intimate performances. If you have any interest in classical music, a Wigmore Hall recital is an experience you'll remember.
Bond Street tube station is the nearest stop.
The Underworld (500)
The Underworld is a legendary rock and metal venue hidden in the basement of the World's End pub on Camden High Street. With a capacity of just 500, it's one of the most intimate places to catch live heavy music in London. It’s practically impossible to be more than 10 meters from the band unless you try to avoid seeing the band on purpose.
The venue has been a cornerstone of London's rock and metal scene since 1990, hosting early shows from bands that later became huge. In addition to concerts, the club hosts the Camden Rocks Club and the Blackout Club weekly when there isn’t a band playing.
Camden Town station on the Northern line is the closest tube stop. The venue is basically on the other side of the crossing from the tube exit.
The Jazz Cafe (440)
The Jazz Cafe in Camden does exactly what the name suggests, and does it brilliantly. It's a compact venue with a balcony restaurant where you can eat while watching the performance below. Despite the name, the programming extends well beyond jazz into soul, funk, hip-hop, R&B and world music, which you can all enjoy in this atmospheric venue.
Camden Town station is a short walk away.
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (250)
Ronnie Scott's in Soho is a London legend. Open since 1959, it's one of the most famous jazz clubs in the world. The intimate setting with just 250 seats means you're incredibly close to world-class musicians. It's the kind of place where you walk in, order a drink, and spend the evening completely absorbed in the music.
Unlike the traditional concert venues, Ronnie Scott’s is open every day. Booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially for weekend shows. Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road stations are nearest.
What's On in 2026
Here are some highlights from this year's London stadium and Hyde Park concert calendar. For the latest listings at smaller venues, check the venue links above or use Songkick to track your favourite artists.
- Wembley: Harry Styles, My Chemical Romance, Bruno Mars, Luke Combs, The Weeknd, Bon Jovi
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: Zach Bryan, Gorillaz, Bad Bunny, BTS, System of a Down
- London Stadium: Take That, Metallica
- BST Hyde Park: Garth Brooks, Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons, Duran Duran, Pitbull, Lewis Capaldi
Practical Tips for Concert-Goers
Getting There and Getting Home
London's public transport runs late, but not all night on every line. The Night Tube operates on Fridays and Saturdays on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. These cover most major venues if you’re staying in Central London. On other nights, the Tube typically stops around midnight, so plan ahead. Night buses are a reliable backup and run across the city, or you can use Uber or a black cab.
For venues outside central London (Wembley, Alexandra Palace), check the last train times for the day before the show. Stadium concerts in particular can end late, and the rush for transport afterwards can be intense. We'd recommend checking TfL's journey planner on the day. Don’t stress too much, though. There are thousands of people leaving the concert, and the public transport system will not leave them stranded.
Standing vs. Seated
Most mid-size and small venues offer a mix of standing and seated options. Standing gets you closer to the action and lets you move around, but you'll be on your feet for 2–4 hours. The main event often lasts about 1.5-2 hours, and there are usually one or two opening bands. If you come in late, it will be more difficult to get close to the stage if that’s your goal.
Seated is more comfortable and usually offers better sightlines, especially from balcony or gallery positions. For arena and stadium shows, seated tickets are the norm for most sections, with a standing area near the stage.
At mid-size venues like the Roundhouse or Eventim Apollo, the upper gallery/balcony seats often give you the best overall experience with great views, good sound, and you can sit down. But of course, if you’re into crowd surfing, you should be standing somewhere relatively close to the stage.
Bag Policies and Security
Most London venues now have strict bag policies. Small bags (A4 size or smaller) are usually allowed, but larger bags and backpacks may not be. Check the venue's website before you go. Sometimes, there is a note about the bag policy in the tickets. Security queues can be long at larger venues, so arrive with time to spare.
Cashless Venues
Many London venues are now cashless, accepting only card or contactless payments. Bring a bank card or make sure you have Apple Pay/Google Pay set up. This applies to drinks, food and merchandise inside the venue.
Mosh Pits and Energetic Crowds
If you're attending a rock, metal or punk show at a standing venue, mosh pits are common near the front and centre of the floor. If you want to be part of the action, wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to move. If you'd rather watch from safety, stick to the sides, the back, or choose balcony/gallery seats. The Roundhouse, Eventim Apollo and O2 Forum Kentish Town all have good elevated viewing areas.
Cloakrooms
Most mid-size and larger venues have cloakrooms (typically £2–3 per item). Useful if you're coming from sightseeing and have a coat or bag. Smaller clubs may not offer this, so travel light.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book London concert tickets?
What's the best concert venue in London?
Are there free concerts in London?
How do I get home after a late concert?
Is it worth buying VIP tickets?
Summary
London is one of the world’s leading live-music cities, with concerts ranging from stadium shows to intimate small-venue gigs. This article highlights some of the best-known venues, but it only scratches the surface of the city’s wider live music scene. With events taking place across London every week, there is something for almost every taste.
This guide will be updated over time as new venues are added. If there is a venue you think should be included, feel free to get in touch.
