Between the Grooves presents… The Rebirth of Cool

Tuesday 30 June

Tuesday 30 June 2026
10:30am – 8:00pm | Hidden Grooves

Continuing the conversation with a second day of thought-provoking discussions and immersive listening sessions celebrating London's rich musical heritage for London Architecture Festival. From the legendary Blitz Club and the fight to protect grassroots venues, to the story of Virgin Records and an intimate album playback with David McAlmont, discover the people, places and movements that have shaped music culture.

Programme

10:30am – 11:30am
The Blitz Club: 18 Months That Changed the World
A panel discussion exploring the legendary Tuesday night club in Covent Garden that helped define the 1980s. Discover how the Blitz became a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion, music, nightlife and the New Romantic movement. The conversation will explore the club's iconic interiors, its famously selective door policy, London's late '70s and early '80s club scene, and the lasting impact of a venue that changed British culture.
Panellists: To be announced
Moderator: To be announced

11:45am – 12:30pm
The War Against Pleasure: The Demise of London's Grassroots Music Venues (Artists Panel)
Musicians discuss the challenges facing London's independent music venues, the impact on emerging artists, and why protecting these cultural spaces has never been more important.
Panellists: To be announced
Moderator: Jonathan Sharif

12:45pm – 1:30pm
The War Against Pleasure: The Demise of London's Grassroots Music Venues (Venue Owners Panel)
Hear directly from venue owners and industry leaders as they discuss the realities of running independent music spaces, the pressures they face, and the future of London's live music scene.
Panellists: Pauline Forster, Adetokunbo "T" Oyelola, YolanDa Brown, Lex Blondin, Oli Pink and Alex Pink
Moderator: Tom Cordell

1:45pm – 2:30pm
The Spaces and Places of Virgin
Explore the story of Virgin Records, Virgin Music, V2 and Virgin Megastores during their most influential decades. This discussion traces the iconic London buildings that became home to the Virgin brand and examines how these spaces helped shape one of the world's most recognisable names in music.
Panellists: Maria Forte and Mike Howlett
Moderator: Jonathan Sharif

6:00pm – 8:00pm
Playback Session: The Sound of… McAlmont & Butler
Join acclaimed singer-songwriter David McAlmont for an exclusive playback of the celebrated 1995 album The Sound of… McAlmont & Butler. Featuring track-by-track commentary, this intimate session offers unique insight into one of the defining albums of the Britpop era.
Speaker: David McAlmont
Interviewer: Jonathan Sharif