On a recent trip to London, like any musician, I wanted to make my pilgrimage to Denmark street.
I had been told that it had changed a lot, but the sight that greeted my eyes was a sad surprise. Once, a bustling street filled with exciting, independent shops and musicians trying, buying and chatting music, it is now being devoured by massive redevelopment. Many of the shops that were full of rare instruments, exotic pedals and fascinating musical essentials are gone. Those that are left are still bustling and buzzing with musicians, but are neighboured by nail bars and hair salons that just don’t look right on a street with such a rich, musical history.
I had a mooch around the shops that are still there. As always, the staff are friendly, knowledgable and accommodating. There is still a buzz that, for a time, makes you feel like your shopping there in its glorious hey day.
Those hey days were well before internet shopping and you can tell it’s had a massive impact. Combine that with all the development work going on there and it’s a very different scene.
It was great to have a look round but I left with a feeling that with such growth in online shopping, what was once a bustling street,serving musicians for decades is going to become a place of misty eyed folk law. Forever resigned to the history books!
So, I implore, any musician on a trip to London, visit it and buy something. Even a set of strings or lead and you will be doing your bit to keep it alive.
There is an ongoing campaign to Save Tin Pan Alley in Denmark St, you can find more info @T
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