13 yr old music lover in London

[Randomchat]

I'm taking ds13 to London over the weekend. He's big into music right now. He's constantly has music playing. He loves visiting music shops to browse the cds and records. He'll listen to absolutely anything but is quite enjoying 90s brit pop right now. Was talking about Phil Collins and Genesis last week, Bon Jovi. Really random tastes.
Where would you take him in London? Any particular areas with loads of record shops? Anywhere we will definitely find buskers on the streets? I know they're all over but any particular recommendations would be good.
Thank you

Camden Town! There are a few record shops there and the market is fun for teenagers.

I think he’d enjoy The Vault music museum at Hard Rock Cafe

Camden is very touristy but probably very fun.
When I was a young thing in London Brick Lane would be where all the bands on the front of the NME would be hanging out… not sure if it’s the same now, but I know it does still have a Rough Trade

Reckless Records and Sister Ray are both on Berwick street in Soho which also has 2nd hand clothes stores and good places to eat too!

Camden, if they want to get into making music and your near enough to do it the roundhouse do some incredible courses for young people in their studios. Some are one day some are more, really cheap and everything from hip hop, DJs to rock music.
Shoreditch (not so much music but the vibe is cool).
brick lane has a vintage market with a brilliant vinyl shop.
petticoat lane market also has a good vinyl stall at the end of I remember rightly

basically, Google independent vinyl shops and then spend every weekend going to them. There’s also a website with live music listings, I will find it in a second. Pubs are tricky at that age, but there are still a few smaller live venues. If you do go somewhere where it’s 14+ do expect them to want ID. If they are with you though, security normally pay lip service to this, but be prepared to have something with you that shows they meet the required age - IYKWIM. The funniest was being ill prepared for a Reytons gig at the electric ballroom and the security accepting an email about year 10 netball practice as ID - that one was unusual though, it’s normally a picture of a more traditional ID! The teen behind us wasn’t allowed in and cried, parents kicked off - none of that helped their cause!!

oh and find some local open mic nights if they play, these are great supportive ways of getting out playing. Try a few to find their place if need be.
enjoy, your weekends are about to become expensive and fun!

Lemonrock.com
is the live gig website I was thinking of. There will be small music venues in your area, have a google. Also battle of the bands do exist so google that, they are often in 14+ venues. It’s also small festival season so get out on a Sunday with a picnic and enjoy.

Does he play an instrument. My son always loed visiting the music shops around Denmark Street (though many are gone now) or Yamaha nearby.

That’s a good shout. The Roland shop is a good one as well

Roland is one of the ones in Denmark Street. Really friendly staff.

Third Man Records and Rough Trade are both well worth a visit. Unfortunately a lot of gigs now are over-18s only due to licensing restrictions however larger venues such as the Roundhouse are generally all ages.

For musical instrument shops, the Roland Store and Gibson Garage are probably best to go to as an ‘attraction’ - the Roland store does great demos and workshops. Denmark Street is a shadow of what it was but there are still some legendary stores there - but not all appreciate being treated as tourist attractions by people with no intent to buy or at least try.

Thanks for all these suggestions. He's only 13 so I'm not sure we'll get into many live venues. I haven't suggested that as an option so far but I'll check out the website recommendation just in case. Thank you.
The Rough Trade on Brick Lane looks like it has a cafe so that's a definite. Something for him and me.
I'll look at the Roundhouse website too. We might get lucky with his age.

There are usually some really good food trucks in Elys’s yard just along from Rough Trade, there’s also markets and exhibitions in the Truman brewery and a really cool bowling arcade. Loads of stuff to do and see round there.

I'm going to write him a list, he can put together a wee map and he's going to have a fab time. Thank you.

Googling "record shops in London" is a bit overwhelming without personal recommendations.

the trick to live music at that age is the smaller venues rather than pubs. I think that website I posted is mostly pubs which is a bit more hit and miss on age.
Have a look at your local theatres they often have smaller bands or tribute acts on.

if he finds some smaller bands he likes have a look on gigs and tours, if you follow them they ping up with small venue gigs. One often leads to the next one. Abbie McCarthy does small venue gigs with new and up and coming artists, they’ve been brilliant and incredibly reasonable compared to the £100+ a ticket for a big gig now.

mine is now crowd surfing at festivals and losing shoes in mosh pits. They are living their absolute best life and it’s been an absolute joy setting them on that journey.

Do add Third Man to the list. It’s owned by Jack White (of the Ehite Stripes) and showcases new artists signed to his record label. It also sells some of his guitar gear (really crazy pedals he designed) and has a small venue in the basement. It’s in SoHo so is close to Sister Ray etc.