When you want to see your favourite band live, you’re never worried about the gig venue, but have you stopped and had a good look?  Here is our comprehensive guide to where’s hot and where’s clearly not in the capital!

Wembley Arena, Empire Way, Wembley, HA9
Capacity: 4,000 - 12,000 (depending on event)
Mojo: Wembley means going to see a big band, so you'd expect it to be a good venue. What we tend to forget is the size of the arena and if you're unfortunate enough to have tickets for the back - you might as well invest in a pair of good binoculars!  Depending on the artist(s) and their budget, you just never know (until you get there) whether you'll get massive video screens and pyrotechnics, or a microphone and a few dancers that look like ants from where you are.  Overall, not a bad atmosphere, but be more than prepared to nurse that crick in your neck if you're stuck at the sides.
(3/5)

Brixton Academy, 211 Stockwell Road, SW9
Capacity: 4,000 - 4,300
Affie: This venue is amazing - no wonder all the top names play here: Staind, AAF, Madonna, Papa Roach, Jamiroquai, Groove Armada, Linkin Park, David Bowie…  The Academy is a beautifully structured building from the outside with its ‘Art Deco’ arch.  Opened in 1929 as the Astoria Theatre, it has been voted by revellers as their favourite venue by rags such as the NME and it’s no surprise why.  Step inside, and you’re greeted with a hall way and two staircases on either side. Go into the actual venue and the architecture and interior design is stunning. Look below and find your feet stuck in the sticky carpet, soaked in beer and littered with plastic cups.  So there is ONE downfall with the venue. The best views are from the stalls, with its ramp-like floor, which means you’ll get a good view of the stage (rather than heads) no matter where you are standing.  The VIP bar ain’t too bad either especially as you can look down on the room from the viewing gallery. And the ultra-violet lights are pretty funky too. One of the best by far.
(4/5)

London Astoria, Charing Cross Road, WC1
Capacity: 2,000
Affie: The Astoria is incidentally home to G.A.Y, the infamous gay night club which pulls in ‘top’ pop acts like Kylie, Westlife and similar drivel on a Saturday night. The rest of the time, the venue is hired out for gigs.  Considering the Astoria is a busy venue, you’d think the owners would be bothered to do something about its interior decoration.  It's extremely dark, dingy and desperately needs to be renovated.  The seats upstairs need to be changed; the upholstery is shit and really battered. Surely the cost of foam isn’t too steep, but organisers are more content in installing disco-balls.  Also the woodwork of tables and chairs are dodgy too, with unbalanced legs so if you sit down, you might find yourself flying half way across the mosh-pit.  Upstairs at the Astoria guarantees a good view of the stage below, but the standing space between the tables is shameful - you really need to suck in that stomach.
(2/5)

The Mean Fiddler, 157 Charing Cross Road, WC2H
Capacity: 1,000
Affie: The Mean Fiddler (originally based in Harlesden, north west London) used to be known as LA2. (The MF in Harlesden has been renamed the Old Fiddler, by the way.)  Upstairs, the viewing gallery is split two ways with a bar on either side. To the right, you can watch from the balcony. To the left, there is the Speak Easy bar and tables and seats with windows.  Go past the Speak Easy bar and there is even a small café serving hot food, though it’s uncertain if anyone could stomach an omelette after being thrust around the mosh-pit.  When packed, the floor below bubbles as a mosh-pit so if you think you’re safe at the back, forget it as you will be crushed there.  Watching from the balcony is the best place, though if you’re quite tall, you’ll get a crooked neck trying to crane for a view.  Please note the ultra violet lights are a nuisance as they show up bits of fluff on everyone’s clothes and makes your nails look like they’ve been Tippexed!  And one more thing, it seems like the budget dried up when they got to the public lavatories - it’s a bit manky and nasty in there.  Go there at your own risk.
(4/5)

Shepherd's Bush Empire, Shepherd's Bush Green, W12
Capacity: 2,000
Affie: The Empire has been kept pretty spick and span. Traditionally a theatre, it’s regularly hired out for concerts now.  With the stalls area reserved for standing, there are seats in the grand circle with a further two levels above with lovely (and comfortable) velvet seats. The venue is also carpeted, and drench-free of beer too.  Although the setting was perfect for a band like Train, it certainly made grunge rockers Nickelback feel a bit out of place!  The best view of the stage is from the grand circle and décor-wise, this is a beautiful theatre.  The sound levels are top-notch here too, so you can actually hear the performance audibly and it’s also kind on your ears.
(4/5)

The Scala, 275 Pentonville Road, N1
Capacity: 700
Mojo: The place gets full marks for convenience - get out the station…ooh hello…the Scala!  It’s a plush new club so you can imagine everything inside hasn’t been vandalised yet.  A bit confusing inside, mind…took a while to get my bearings - reminded me of university - lots of sets of stairs and not a sign in sight for where you were heading!  You can head down to dance floor, watch from the balcony or take a peek from the gallery/bar.  A good little place, but get too close to the speakers and you won’t hear for days after!
(4/5)