The BBC Radio 1 DJ has been introducing up and coming bands for ages both on and off the airwaves. While he’s got a long way to go before he comes close to John Peel’s legacy, he’s definitely doing an ace job of championing good new music. He’s not always going to get it right, but his hearts right in the middle of right place. Now he’s found a permanent off air base at The Social off Great Portland Street in the centre of London, and he’s stationed there every second Tuesday of the month.
The best news is that the monthly shindigs are free… You can’t beat socialism! The gig room downstairs is fairly narrow, but it’s set up to make it easy to see and hear the band, so long as you make it in. The concrete tables lining one side are pretty good for perching on to get a better view, so even if you’re mini you should still be able to catch a glimpse of whoever Huw’s got playing.
If you haven’t been to The Social before, it’s down Portland Street, a side street just off Great Portland St. The closest tube is Oxford Circus. If you head down Regents Street towards All Soul’s Church, take a right down Margaret Street, a left up Great Portland Street and your next right down Portland Street you can’t miss it.
As well as all the free music, free Huw Stephens and all the concrete tables you could ever want from a place, The Social also has some pretty cool pie and beer cards that give you one free after your fourth, or something like that.
