Address: Fore Street, London EC2.

This church was rebuilt in the late Gothic style on the site of previous Saxon and Norman churches in 1684. It was badly damaged in the Blitz in 1940.

For several years the church was the home for music events in festivals organised by the Barbican. Since the opening of LSO St Lukes this role has declined, though it has been used very occasionally for other events.

Here I’ve seen Northampton Harmony (1996), Maighread & Triona Ni Dhomhnmaill (1999), Savina Yannatou (2002), I Muvrani (2002) and a gathering of Portuguese Guitar players as part of the Atlantic Waves Festival (2007).

Tags:   Music Venue London Occasional Venue Churches St Giles, Cripplegate

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Address: 197 Piccadilly, London W1.

This church, completed in 1684, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It was derelict for 7 years after being badly damaged in the Blitz in 1940.

For several year the churches has hosted lunchtime and evening classical concerts, and has also been hired out by music promoters. It was used as a venue during the 2011 London Jazz Festival for Gwilyn Simcock and Golden Age of Stream gigs.

Performers I’ve seen here include Bela Szakcsi Lakatos (2006) and Alejandro Escovedo (2006).

Tags:   Music Venue London Occasional Venue Churches St James’s, Piccadilly

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Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2.

This church, built in 1726, is on the site on a Norman church which was itself rebuilt in 1542.

It has held lunchtime concerts (mostly classical) since immediately after World War Two, when concerts previously held in the National Gallery moved across the road. In recent years there have also been regular concerts in the café in the crypt. The courtyard area has also been used by groups such as Mumford and Sons (2009) and Razorlight (2011).

In the crypt I’ve seen the Brass Volcanoes (2012) and in the church Klapa Motovun (2012).

Tags:   Music Venue London Occasional Venue Churches St Martin-in-the-Fields

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