London Calling
Vinyl, venues, a few pints, and friends
Something about visiting London always feels electric, like the city hums with a rhythm you can only hear if you’re paying attention. Maybe it’s the layered history—ancient streets meeting modern energy—or perhaps the buzz of a place that never slows down. I just returned from a trip across the pond, and while my legs are still recovering (40+ miles walked), my mind is already replaying every moment.
Arriving by train from Liverpool, my first stop was King’s Cross and St. Pancras—partly because it’s such an iconic London hub, but mostly because I wanted to soak in that blend of old-world architecture and constant motion. Just steps away, The Coal Yard offered a perfect spot to ease into the city’s rhythm. There’s something special about these tucked-away spaces in London—places that balance past and present, where you can pause for a moment before diving back into the chaos. Sitting on a bench enjoying local food and wine, contemplating the next move, was something my friend Jed and I were great at performing.
Royal Albert Hall, KOKO & the Sound of London
One of the trip's highlights was catching Sharon Van Etten at Royal Albert Hall. Seeing a show at this legendary venue has been on my list for a while, and it didn’t disappoint. The space itself is breathtaking—ornate and grand, the kind of place that makes music feel even more intimate. And Sharon? She owned the stage. Haunting vocals and raw energy reminiscent of Siouxsie and the Banshees meets Florence and the Machine.
But the music didn’t stop there. I also saw Nubya Garcia at KOKO in Camden, and this one felt extra special. It was a sold-out homecoming show for one of London’s most exciting saxophonists, and I somehow found myself in the front row, completely immersed in it. Camden is where she grew up, and you could feel the love in the room—every solo, every groove, met with a roar of appreciation. Her blend of jazz, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and deep, expressive sax lines felt like the heartbeat of London itself. With its rich history and intimate vibe, KOKO was the perfect setting for an electrifying performance.
Between these two shows—one in a regal, historic hall, the other in a raw, high-energy club—I got to experience two completely different sides of London’s music scene. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Search for Exclusive Vinyl
Jed, my brother from another mother, joined me for most of this trip. He and I dedicated a whole day to crate-digging across London.
We hit record shops near Notting Hill, a few in Soho, Denmark Street, and Rough Trade East near Brick Lane in Shoreditch—each spot with its vibe, its treasures waiting to be found. London’s record scene is still vibrant if you know where to look and how to dig; whether it’s legendary shops or tiny basement spots, there’s a thrill in flipping through bins and finding that one LP you didn’t even know you needed. In my case, it was more like 7 or 8 LPs… My favorite stop was Honest Jon’s Records on Portobello Road.
An afternoon in Camden meant a mix of shopping, people-watching, and a canal-side lunch. This area has an edge—punk energy meets tourist frenzy—but it’s part of what makes it unique. There’s something for everyone, from vintage finds to obscure vinyl, and if you’re willing to navigate the crowds, you’ll leave with something unexpected. Maybe even a tattoo? I enjoyed the diversity and energy that Camdentown offers, but many shops sold many of the same things—hats, t-shirts, scarves, and plastic souvenirs. I found a great shop called The Modfather, located just past the Amy Winehouse statue dedicated to Camdentown’s own.
No trip to London is complete without a deep dive into its museums, and I made sure to carve out time for two of the best: the British Museum and the Tate Modern.
At the British Museum, the main draw was the Picasso: Printmaker exhibit. Seeing Picasso’s work in this context—his evolution as an artist through printmaking—was incredible. It’s one thing to admire his paintings. Still, this exhibit showcased a different side of his creativity: how he experimented with etching, lithographs, and linocuts to push boundaries in his style.
Of course, the museum’s legendary artifacts couldn’t be ignored. I stood face to face with the Rosetta Stone, the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. I marveled at a moai statue from Easter Island, a massive Buddha from 560 A.D., and countless Greek, Roman, and Egyptian artifacts. There’s something surreal about standing inches away from objects that have shaped human history—you get this strange sense of time collapsing, past and present existing all at once.
Later, I made my way to the Tate Modern for Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet, an exhibit exploring the intersection of art and tech in the pre-digital age. It was fascinating to see how artists in the 1960s–80s experimented with machines, video, and cybernetics before we were all glued to screens. How they imagined the future—sometimes utopian, sometimes dystopian—felt eerily relevant in today’s world of AI and algorithm-driven everything.
Leaving the Tate, I walked along the Thames River, soaking in the mix of old and new that makes London so unique. The weather was on my side as I crossed the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s Cathedral, its dome standing tall against the sunny skyline. It was one of those moments where the city clicks into place, history, and modernity blending seamlessly. Together.
One of the best parts of travel is the people you meet (or reconnect with), and The Magpie on Liverpool Street was the perfect place to do just that. Jed and I met with Chris, an old friend and a die-hard Millwall supporter from Southeast London. Over pints of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord Ale, we swapped stories, caught up on life, and leaned into that effortless camaraderie that only good beer and good company can bring.
London’s Tube system is a marvel—efficient, easy to navigate, and crucial to my 40-mile walking distance. Between stations, I fueled up on Blank Street and Nero coffee, ensuring my caffeine levels remained dangerously high. Before heading home, I picked up some Cadbury chocolate and shortbread for the wife (if you don’t bring back British treats, did you even go?). And, of course, I missed my two adorable little kittens…
London delivered, as it always does. Music, records, history, football, and a few too many pints—it’s a city that never runs out of things to discover. And while my feet might still recover, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Next time, I intend to visit Northern London and see more live jazz. Wanna join me?
Here’s my London playlist. I listen to this every time I visit. It was inspired by my 2021 COVID trip and a DJ I heard before a Richard Ashcroft show at the Royal Albert Hall. I hope you enjoy it! 🇬🇧
Until next time…
