London based three piece, Benin City, present a micro-documentary lamenting the closure of many of the city’s pubs and clubs that proved influential in their formative years and to the capital’s music scene.
London | As a city, London continues to grow in population. As a result there is a significant shortfall in housing, specifically affordable housing, in the capital.
With land available for development at a premium, we witness an ever growing trend. Live music venues are closing, the buildings are being converted into flats which offer a more profitable prospect for landlords and landowners. Where housing isn’t being considered, venues are making way for other development projects.
London’s famous Astoria, a venue whose stage had witnessed many of the world’s biggest musical acts and played host to popular club nights, was levelled to allow for the expansion of the Tottenham Court Road tube station to accommodate the forthcoming Crossrail line.
Benin City’s latest music video is more than just accompaniment for the song ‘All Smoke, No Fire’. The track forms and integral part of a micro-documentary that showcases just some of London’s music venues that have closed for development, or lay empty. The film was directed by Shaun James Grant.
For Benin City the situation hits close to home: “Last year, Passing Clouds was unceremoniously shut down. It was our first proper gig and held a lot of memories for us as a band and music lovers. Now it’s gone. Over 50% of London’s clubs, pubs, Bars and social spaces were shut down or closed in 2015.”
Their response to the closures is this cleverly created film.
‘All Smoke, No Fire’ is taken from Benin City’s forthcoming new album titled ‘Last Night’. Scheduled for release in April 2018, digital and physical pre-orders are open via bandcamp now.
