With a history stretching back over a century, Bush Hall has lived many lives. Originally built as an Edwardian dance hall, this West London venue has been everything from a wartime soup kitchen to a rehearsal studio for music legends. Today, it stands as a beloved music venue, renowned for its character, charm, and an eclectic calendar of events that champions both emerging talent and iconic artists.
We heard from Lara Coker, Music and Commercial Director of Bush Hall, to delve into the building’s fascinating past, its evolution through the decades, and the vital role it continues to play in the capital’s grassroots music scene.
The Origins of Bush Hall
A Dance Hall Built with Love
“Bush Hall was built in 1904 by William Hurndall, originally as the Carlton Dance Hall,” Lara tells us. “It’s said he built three of these venues across London—one for each of his daughters. Ours is the only one that remains.”
“There is little known history about the other venues”, she said “they likely didn’t survive the wars”.
What’s more, rumour has it that Bush Hall wasn’t just a favourite daughter’s venue—it might have also housed Hurndall’s mistress.
A Century of Evolution – Bush Hall’s Storied Past
The Many Lives of Bush Hall
The building has had many lives. During WWII, it served as a British restaurant/soup kitchen, helping to feed the local community. It then adapted to the times: a bingo hall, a rehearsal studio in the 1950s and 60s (hosting the likes of The Who, Cliff Richard, and Adam Faith), and eventually a snooker and social club during the 80s and 90s.
A New Era Begins in 2001
In 2001, Charlie Raworth and Emma Hutchinson purchased the building and lovingly restored it to its original purpose: a live music venue.
“All the Edwardian grandeur was brought back—six chandeliers were reinstated, and ornate cherubs that had been hidden away were rediscovered,” Lara shares.
Today, Bush Hall blends period elegance with a modern performance setup. “The acoustics are brilliant (though sometimes challenging), and we’ve installed a top-of-the-range PA system and lighting rig that elevate both the space and the shows.”
Programming Music and Events at Bush Hall
How Bush Hall Books Its Line-up
With a 450-person capacity, Bush Hall offers an intimate and atmospheric setting. But how is the venue programmed?
“We aim to host around four gigs and one private event per week, which works out to over 200 events annually,” says Lara. “Having hosted events for 24 years definitely helps—it gives us a great reputation and a beautiful space to promote. But the grassroots scene is tough right now, so we do experience peaks and troughs.”
Their focus? Supporting new talent.
“As a grassroots venue, our main priority when programming is to champion as many emerging artists as we can. We’re not genre-specific either—it’s important for us to support all genres and to make the venue accessible for every kind of music fan.”
She shared that most shows come through external promoters, so it’s a case of ensuring the venue is a realistic size for them/their audience and that we can meet their technical and logistical requirements.
But Bush Hall is also growing its own promotions. “We’re ramping up our Bush Hall Presents… nights. The goal is to create a regular series for rising artists, and we’re hoping to offer incentives for locals to join in.”
A Typical Day Behind the Scenes
Running a gig at Bush Hall involves a carefully orchestrated schedule.
“Bands usually arrive in the afternoon,” Lara says. “So, the mornings are spent handling enquiries, organising deliveries—whether that’s hired equipment or merchandise—and prepping the green room.”
Once the sound engineer and duty manager arrive, it’s all hands on deck. “Load-in, soundcheck, lighting… then it’s time to focus on ticketing, finances, and handover. By the time doors open, everything needs to be seamless.”
Iconic Performances at Bush Hall
A Stage That’s Hosted Legends
Bush Hall has seen some legendary artists step into its spotlight.
“Our breakthrough show in the early 2000s was with REM,” says Lara. “Since then, we’ve had Adele, Amy Winehouse, Kings of Leon, Lily Allen, Toots and the Maytals—the list goes on.”
She also shared the team’s favourite shows from recent years:
Black Country, New Road, Maverick Sabre, Fizzy Orange, Berlioz (Terrace Sessions), Dave Okumu, Benjamin Clementine, Casey Lowry, Dean Lewis, Sophia Thakur, Bashy, Frank Carter & The Sex Pistols, Jane’s Addiction, The Blockheads, Lost in Disco, Hedkandi, Michael Cera Palin, Tigers Jaw, Alicia Keys, PJ Morton, Killowen, The Skints, Lava La Rue, Dave Chappelle, Jeff Innocent, and Desiree Burch.
A Venue for All Occasions – Not Just Music
Weddings, Fashion, and Fire-Breathers
“We’ve hosted wedding receptions, corporate gatherings, and some wonderfully quirky events,” Lara says.
From fashion shows featuring Kate Moss, to paddling pools full of baked beans, an ice rink, and fire-breathing aerialists, Bush Hall isn’t afraid to be adventurous. There’s even been a zip wire installed, stretching from the terrace mezzanine to the main stage.
Despite the vintage aesthetic, the space is very adaptable. “Our staging is modular so can be reworked or removed, our lighting rig does a great job transforming the space and most importantly – we are up for anything! Most clients love the original look, but when they want a full redesign, we work with Sugar and Rind, our trusted event partners, to bring their vision to life.”
Challenges Facing Grassroots Venues Like Bush Hall
Fighting to Keep the Music Alive
Operating an independent venue hasn’t been easy.
“Running a grassroots venue in the UK right now is harder than ever,” Lara tells us. “According to the Music Venue Trust’s 2023 report, two venues are closing every week, with 0.5% profit margins across the sector and 38% of remaining venues reporting a loss of earnings.”
A year ago, Bush Hall’s music programme was at risk. “Due to rising costs, low margins, and a hangover from COVID, we had no choice but to launch a crowdfunding campaign to save live music at Bush Hall.”
The response was overwhelming. “We were amazed at the response from our community.”
But the journey is far from over.
“We have restructured the business and core team, and are working really positively on best practice, strategies and marketing to get the music gigs and all other events fully back on track. That includes closer collaboration with artists, agents and promoters, along with MVT, to not only highlight the plight of Bush Hall, but the entire grassroots scene.”
Frank Carter & The Sex Pistols: A Game-Changing Collaboration
“This was just… surreal,” Lara smiles. “A friend mentioned that Paul Cook was interested in helping us with fundraising. Next thing I know, I’m having a coffee on the terrace with THE drummer from The Sex Pistols.”
She shared that:
We got to chatting about ways he thought he could help us raise awareness/funds and he mentioned ‘a few of my lot are in London in August, I could pull together a line up. We held the dates for him and that was that. I imagined we’d have a few big names joining some emerging artists – Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine ‘his lot’ would be Steve Jones, Glenn Matlock and Frank Carter, reforming to help our little venue!! 3 weeks later I get an email confirming…. Frank Carter and The Sex Pistols. I almost fell off my chair.
The gig—Frank Carter & The Sex Pistols—sent shockwaves across the music world. “It made national news, boosted our campaign visibility, and our calendar hasn’t slowed down since. It was an honour to host such legends.”
What’s Next for Bush Hall?
Big Shows Are on the Horizon
Lara’s not giving too much away—but it sounds like Bush Hall’s future is exciting, with some huge performances potentially lined up for later this year.
“We can’t reveal anything yet, but our mailing list is the place to be if you want to be the first to know.”
She also stresses the importance of “underplay” shows—when major artists return to small venues. “It’s essential for big names to support the grassroots scene. These shows raise the profile of the venue, often drawing audiences from a lot further afield and bring us more challenging productions to hone our craft too.”
Bush Hall’s Commitment to Accessibility
Making Live Events Inclusive
Bush Hall is wheelchair accessible, and offer early entry, seating, and free companion tickets to those that would otherwise be unable to attend.
Bush Hall has earned Bronze Charter Status with Attitude is Everything, a charity that improves access to live events for disabled people.
“We’re aiming for Silver this year with the addition of a fixed viewing platform.”
What It’s Like to Experience a Show at Bush Hall
“Bush Hall is truly special,” says Lara. “Whether it’s live music, comedy, or a spoken word event, the venue’s smaller size means you’re never far from the action—perfect for truly connecting with the performance.”
“It’s the kind of venue where you might discover a new favourite artist, or see one you love in an entirely new light. Our mission is simple: we want you to feel as at home as possible in our hall.”
Visit Bush Hall
Bush Hall is a beating heart of West London’s music scene. It’s where history meets community, and where artistry and resilience collide. Thanks to people like Lara and the dedicated team behind the curtain, this unique venue continues to inspire the next generation of artists and music lovers alike.
For more information about this beloved music venue visit their website.
