Features

Mystery Jets, Klaxons, Graham Coxon, The Cribs, Hot Chip - London Crawling

Bill Cummings 05/02/2009

The Camden Crawl is back this time with a new sponsor, the 2009 event is taking place in April between the in 40 venues across Camden, including a new addition this year - the historic Camden Roundhouse, with over 150 artists (some huge names to be announced shortly).

In recent years, the Crawl has seen the likes of Kate Nash, Mystery Jets, Klaxons, The Cribs, Noah & The Whale, Adele, The Kooks, Calvin Harris, Sway, The Fratellis, Lethal Bizzle, Cage The Elephant, Hot Chip and Sam Sparro cut their teeth in Camden Town amongst such legends as Buzzcocks, Billy Bragg, The Charlatans, Moby, The Damned, Amy Winehouse and Echo & The Bunnymen. The 2009 Gaymers Camden Crawl, scheduled to take place Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April, will hope to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors featuring a host of new acts converging in one huge queuing location, to launch the festival season. The 2009 Crawl will, in addition to its line-up of live music acts, also feature an array of interactive daytime activities and cutting edge performances across the arts, including visual art, arts & crafts, bingo & quizzes, comedy, short films, speed hating, spoken word, theatre, and more.

The programme kicks off from midday on Friday the 24th until the wee hours of the following Sunday. Upon arrival each ticket holder will be presented with an all-access wristband, programme guide, timetable and free download album to help plot his/her day's adventure. 'Crawlers' are granted unlimited access to all official festival venues featuring more than 150 live artists, daytime activities & arts programme and after show parties capacity permitting. GIITTV zine caught up with Camden Crawl organizer for a Lisa Paulon, to ask her just what she has in store for this year's events, and to find out how you can apply to play.

Hey how are things?

Ummmmm.....at this moment? Getting a bit sleepless and stressful, but
still coping!


How are things shaping up for the Crawl this year?

Really well. The entire daytime programme is booked and we have some very exciting surprises to announce soon. We are about halfway through confirming the live acts and will be done in about 3 weeks. We're thinking it's the best line up yet.


How early in the year do you start in the planning for the event?

It all works in phases. We finished settling all the paperwork from the 2008 festival in June and then we were right back on it in August planning this year. There are so many things to consider and we have to work a long time in advance.

How do you think the credit crunch has effected live music?

To be honest, really the same way it has effected the whole economy. People are still buying tickets, but are being more selective about what they buy and waiting much later.

Are you having to cut down the amount of venues you use? Focus on certain shows?

No, we are probably being crazy. We are investing much more into this year than in previous Crawls as our aim is to make it bigger and better with more value for the money each year....there are 10 more venues, including the Roundhouse, more bands, and a huge variety of daytime
events.

Will there be any surprises at this year's Crawl?

Of course. There are always surprises at the Crawl!

How can unsigned/emerging acts apply to play at the Crawl?

If artists go to www.thecamdencrawl.com, there is a form where they can apply to find out about opportunities to play. Our unsigned artist competition, Indie Idle, just launched this week.

How does the Crawl work promotions wise? Is it mainly in-house or do you allow independent promoters a chance to put on shows?

Both. We have a 25 person committee that democratically chooses the main evening acts. We also give budgets to independent promoters promote their own events.

How do you manage to coordinate a time stagger in events to allow punters to make there way across the Crawl?

We open the biggest venues earlier than the small ones to allow them to fill up first and then run the other venues all at the same time.

Have you ever looked at other events in the UK like In The City in Manchester and SWN in Cardiff for inspiration? In the way they reflect their regions and become vehicles to launch new bands.

Yes, but to be honest, although the Crawl happens to be in London, we intentionally balance new artists from all regions into the equation. We aim to represent the best new talent in the whole of Britain regardless where their from.

What's the best performance you've ever witnessed at the Crawl?

Klaxons at Koko 2 years ago and Graham Coxon in 2005.

Have any acts for Camden Crawl 09 been confirmed yet?

Yep! Watch this space....

Camden Crawl 09 ticket information:

In keeping with Crawl tradition, the full line-ups and stage times remain a closely guarded secret until each night and surprise guests may appear at any time and at any venue. The evening line-ups are selected by a committee of music industry tastemakers, including radio DJs, club promoters, journalists and record labels. The most hotly tipped acts will appear on the bill both days, alternating venues on Friday and Saturday to allow die-hard Crawlers two opportunities to see their most coveted artists. All other artists will perform on one day or evening of the event only

FRIDAY 24TH & SATURDAY 25TH APRIL 2009 12PM - 4AM
2 DAY PASSES £55.00** AND SINGLE DAY TICKETS £32.50** ON SALE FROM 17TH NOVEMBER.

10% early bird discount available for first 1000 2 day passes sold. ** An additional £1 charity donation will be added to each ticket sold
Tickets available from the following outlets:
24 Hr CC Hotline 0871 2200 260 / See Tickets 020 7403 3331 OR buy online: www.thecamdencrawl.com

Tickets are to be exchanged for wristbands which allow free entry to each of the participating venues as individual capacities permit. Wristbands and programmes announcing the full line ups and timings for the event are obtainable from 11:00 am onward each day at the Camden Crawl ticket exchange point located at: THE ROUNDHOUSE (Chalk Farm Road, NW1). Please note that 2-day pass holders will need to return to ticket exchange to collect Saturday's timetable. Festival goers are advised to arrive early as there will be a full daytime programme on both days from 12:00pm. Doors open for evening schedule at 5:30 pm most venues. There will be late night after show parties featuring live bands and DJs until 4:00 am both days.

MAIN PARTICIPATING EVENING VENUES:
The Roundhouse - Koko -Electric Ballroom - Dingwalls - Underworld - Cuban Bar - Barfly - Dublin Castle The Monarch - Earl of Camden  Oh! Bar - Purple Turtle - Bullet -The Black Cap - St. Michaels Church