Musicians are backing squatters occupying a famous music venue which was closed for redevelopment last month by performing impromptu gigs.
Earlier this week singer-songwriter Frank Turner made a surprise appearance at the 12Bar, located in Denmark Street, and stood on a table while strumming an acoustic guitar.
This evening Bournemouth based rock band Mountain Feet, Hearse Pile Up and indie-pop London band Those Unfortunates will be performing sets.
Activists, who are calling themselves ‘Bohemians 4 Soho’, have been squatting in the building since it closed last month for re-development.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">“<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Supajam" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-103946-https://twitter.com/Supajam" data-vars-event-id="c23">@Supajam</a>: Massive thank you to <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ourbohemia" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-103946-https://twitter.com/ourbohemia" data-vars-event-id="c23">@ourbohemia</a> and <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/frankturner" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-103946-https://twitter.com/frankturner" data-vars-event-id="c23">@frankturner</a> for an unforgettable night - <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/savesoho?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-103946-https://twitter.com/hashtag/savesoho?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#savesoho</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bohemians4soho?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-103946-https://twitter.com/hashtag/bohemians4soho?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#bohemians4soho</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&id=222025&p=http://t.co/ekEooO81Q3" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-103946-http://t.co/ekEooO81Q3" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/ekEooO81Q3</a>”— Occupy London (@OccupyLondon) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/OccupyLondon/status/562596812687966209" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-103946-https://twitter.com/OccupyLondon/status/562596812687966209" data-vars-event-id="c23">February 3, 2015</a>
The group said they are organising “community meetings with open mics".
Consolidated Developments, which owns the Grade II-listed building in Denmark Street, is thought to be seeking to evict the squatters.
Mr Turner, who used to play squat venues in the past, told the Standard: “I've recently been involved in Independent Venue Week, and am generally in favour of celebrating and protecting the spaces where underground and independent culture thrives.
“It seems like the voice of music has been lost in the decision-making process around Soho generally and Denmark Street in particular, which is sad, given the history of the place.”
Ben Brill, 33, Those Unfortunates singer and bass player, said: “We are really passionate about the city and its mythology and 12Bar is part of its mythology. We met some great friends through being there and Enterprise Studios down the road.
“It feels like London is being narrowed down to a place only for certain people.”
A spokesman for Bohemians 4 Soho said: "If the bar will be lost and they start to demolish the building the same thing will easily happen to other historic venue in Soho, probably Camden market and anything they can buy and destroy.
"So we are organising meetings where anyone supporting can get in touch with us and we aim to gather as much as attention as possible."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">just saw frank turner play a free gig in an abandoned club on a broken pool table whilst sat on a home made bunk bed <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&id=222025&p=http://t.co/FfM9W1TgCK" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-103946-http://t.co/FfM9W1TgCK" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/FfM9W1TgCK</a>— kim sedman (@kim_sedman) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/kim_sedman/status/562425235832856576" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-103946-https://twitter.com/kim_sedman/status/562425235832856576" data-vars-event-id="c23">February 3, 2015</a>
12Bar, in Soho’s famous ‘Tin Pan Alley’, is known for launching the career of Adele and hosting concerts from bands such as the Rolling Stones.
It is understood that Consolidated Developments has applied to Central London County Court for an interim possession order against the squatters.
The company was contacted for a comment.
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