LondonNet Club Review

Metro Club

Proof that British hipsters have more fun, BedRock @ Metro Club offers up a sing-along rocking good time

IN AMERICA, hipsters belong to a smug, arrogant social clique who will only condescend to dance or sing along to songs for the sake of irony or to impress others with their knowledge of obscure music. Waiting in the queue outside Metro on a Friday night, then, it was worrying to see that many people shared the same mock-hawks and uber-trend dress of their American counter-parts. Upon entry, however, it was easy to see their attitudes couldn't be further apart. This wasn't a social club - it was rock n' roll.

Metro is the epitome of what a good rock club should be - dark, generally barren, dingy walls, a beer-soaked floor, only a few black lights and simplistic, normal lighting to the scene - but plenty of people and sound. While those with expensive haircuts and thrift store suit jackets may have ruled the roost, no one looked out of place, and bands as diverse as Hefner, Jimmy Eat World, and Cradle of Filth were scattered around the club, emblazoned on club-goer's t-shirts. Moving against a wall of people in the venue was certainly an issue, but there were still a few places to be staked out and dance the night away.

The crowd was maniacally joyous - they never moved in unison like automatons, but still sang along to almost every song that was played. It might've helped that the three DJs all have solid reputations - but the night's charm is far more about the music they play. The playlist ran a meandering course across decades and featured the likes of The Who, Blondie, the Strokes, the Breeders, and the Violent Femmes. It even extended to blues as the most raucous sing-a-long of the night was to Cab Calloway. The alcohol flowed cheaply, and while the Grolsch in pint-sized cans was not as tasty as in a freshly tapped glass, the UKP2.50 price was tasty enough (shots and mixed drinks are only UKP1.50).

Bedrock is pure fun whether you are alone or in a group, and come prepared to dance and sing for hours (but watch for slippery spots on the floors). If your request is not played immediately, do not despair - being able to join everyone in dancing and singing along to the Undertones was worth the wait.

(Steve Marshall)

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