Venue

KOKO began life as The Camden Theatre and was opened on Boxing Day 1900. In 1909 the theatre was renamed The Camden Hippodrome and was a variety theatre hosting famous names such as Charlie Chaplin. In 1911 film seasons began and it became a full-time cinema in 1913. Live acts were still used to support the films, and in 1928 “Novelty Nights” were introduced on Fridays with up to seven live acts appearing before the film. In 1933 the cinema was wired for amplified sound and free Christmas performances were given to the local children. The cinema closed in 1940 and for some 20 years from 1945 the building became a BBC Theatre for recordings including the famous Goon Show.

In 1970 the live venue was reincarnated as The Music Machine and provided a platform for the first wave punk bands such as The Sex Pistols and The Clash. It was subsequently purchased in 1983 by Steve Strange and Rusty Egan of Visage and the Camden Palace was born – the venue holding court to leading figures of The New Romantic scene and hosting the earliest gigs of the Eurythmics and the first UK performance by a rising star known as Madonna.

The Camden Palace closed in February 2004 and, after a six month restoration project, reopened as KOKO. In its four years, KOKO has played host to some of the biggest stars on the planet, including Madonna, Prince and Coldplay. It also provides a home for the monthly phenomenon that is Guilty Pleasures and the weekly essential indie night, Club NME.