Cafe OTO London
An experimental music hub
Sarra from London
Tucked away in the backstreets of Dalston, Café OTO is much more than just a great spot to catch the morning sun whilst reading a book. A haven for those with adventurous ears, this unassuming venue has built a reputation as one of London’s most influential spaces for experimental and avant-garde music.
By day, it operates as a café and shop for books, records, tapes and CDs, transforming into a hub for live gigs by night. Whether it is free improvisation, jazz, sound-poetry, noise, folk or electronica, expect to see performances by artists who thrive on soundscapes that exist outside of the mainstream. This is not the kind of venue where you will have a chat while the bands play. Audiences remain completely silent during gigs, fully immersed in the music.
And it is easy to see why. Its crowd is just as eclectic as the music performances it hosts. Attracting the type of people you see in record stores, café OTO has its loyal followers comprised of serious listeners, music geeks and artists from around the world. The venue’s avant-garde spirit extends to its record label and in-house releases, allowing audiences to take a piece of the experience home.
With a minimalist, industrial aesthetic featuring simple wooden furniture, a brick interior, and dim lighting, the atmosphere in this converted warehouse space is quite raw. If you are keen on discovering new sonic landscapes or seeking to mingle with an eclectic community of creatives, Café OTO is a proper gem.
London Spotter Sarra
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