new London venue opening in Leytonstone with Simian Mobile Disco, Louis Theroux, Girl In The Year Above and more

A new venue is opening in East London next week, and its schedule already features Simian Mobile Disco, Louis Theroux, Girl In The Year Above and more.

Altar is a new music and arts venue, bar and record store set to open in Leytonstone next Friday (October 23). Ahead of the launch, the initial schedule has been confirmed and it boasts a mix of household names and emerging talent.

Curated by Jon Clifford (Dreamhouse Records), Toby L (Transgressive Records), Simon Singleton (Shake The High Road Festival) and more, the line-up reflects the venue’s hopes to become an essential spot to catch diverse and compelling artists and performers.

The opening night will host a variety of DJ sets, including intimate performances from Simian Mobile Disco, Kate Hutchinson, Charli Vos, and ALTAR DJs. The event will span across two floors, and entry is free for all guests, operating on a first come, first served basis.

Altar interior shot. CREDIT: Press
Altar interior shot. CREDIT: Press

The following Friday (November 6) will mark the first of the club-night series ALTAR Lates, and will welcome singer, songwriter and producer Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip to the stage, performing a special set in the basement area.

Auntie Flo will take to the decks on Saturday November 7, and on Monday November 16 there will be an exclusive Evening With Louis Theroux, in which the journalist, documentarian and host will host a conversation with ALTAR founder and filmmaker Toby L, as well as an audience Q&A.

Wednesday December 16 and Thursday December 17 will mark the first of the ALTAR Piano Nights, and see performances from the Mercury Prize-nominated singer Ed Harcourt on the first night, and Madness frontman Suggs on the second.

Rising Irish/Cornish band Girl In The Year Above are set to play on Friday December 18, having signed to Transgressive Records last month, and dropped a cover of Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ for the soundtrack to Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man before then.

Others on the bill for Altar so far include London based disco-punk duo MADMADMAD, rising DJ and singer Nina Yamada, emerging post-rock group Dog Unit, rising Polish-born, Canadian-raised singer Joyeria, and more. Check out the full bill so far below.

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The Altar bill so far is:

OCTOBER
23: ALTAR presents The Opening Party w/ Simian Mobile Disco (DJ) + Kate Hutchinson + ALTAR DJs
24: ALTAR presents MADMADMAD
24: ALTAR Lates presents Nina Yamada
28: SHAKE THE HIGH ROAD presents The Kitchen Sink Band + Cass Why
29: ALTAR presents Humane + Shale
30: Club SC&P x Human Endeavour presents Pleasure Unit
31: ALTAR presents Bedroom Tax
31: ALTAR Lates presents The Altarnative 80s Party

NOVEMBER
4: Eat Your Own Ears presents Dog Unit
6: Bluespot Reggae Social (Upstairs)
6: ALTAR Lates presents Alexis Taylor (DJ)
7: ALTAR Lates presents Auntie Flo (DJ)
12: FORM presents Joyeria
16: ALTAR Talks presents An Evening With Louis Theroux
18: Dreamhouse Records presents Daniel Pickard + Lister Rider Home
19: ALTAR presents The Herons + Support
26: ALTAR presents Von Burl

DECEMBER
16: ALTAR Piano Nights presents Ed Harcourt
17: ALTAR Piano Nights presents Suggs
18: ALTAR & Transgressive presents Girl In The Year Above

As well as live performances, the new venue has also announced the Altar Community – three new initiatives to help benefit emerging talent. Altar Under-18 encourages aspiring artists under-age artists to submit their music so that they can be considered as performers for an upcoming series of special nights, booked and staged solely for younger artists.

Altar Mentorships allows for aspiring talent to receive support and advice as they take their first steps in the creative industries, and Altar Rehearsals helps any local musicians utilise the venue’s basement venue for free rehearsal sessions.

War Child has been announced as the charity launch partner for the venue, and opportunities to donate to the non-profit organisation will be available for visitors.

Altar interior shot. CREDIT: Press

“We are utterly delighted to finally reveal the first line-up of artists, musicians, DJs, filmmakers and creatives that compose the ALTAR opening programme,” said Singleton, Clifford and Toby L. “It’s a truly indicative sign of the immense breadth of talent from every generation, level and genre that this city has to offer.

“It also gives us great joy to announce our ALTAR Community initiatives as well as War Child as our launch charity – the work they continue to do globally is both vital and urgent, and literally life-changing. We’re just as excited to welcome artists and audiences from all over the world as we are those that live on our doorstep. See you all very soon.”

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