The Virtual Venue

Connecting you to the very best in live music, past and present.

Looks familiar? The club graphics are based on a later version of The Marquee Club entrance as it was in the early eighties, when it was situated in London's Wardour Street (now closed). However, rather than the venue itself, the spirit of the club and original owner, Harold Pendelton, along with subsequent owners and managers (John Gee, Jack Barrie, Billy Gaff, Doug Palfreeman, Dave Stewart, Mark Fuller, and Nathan Lowry), and their role in promoting live music and new artists, is really what's aspired to here.

The Virtual Club

The virtual club aims to connect music fans with the past and support new artists, musicians, and music venues by offering an independent platform for sharing history, news, and updates.

The Virtual Festival

Full live performances shared directly by the artists or from official sources are showcased in a festival ambience as a different and fun way to view shared video from YouTube, Vimeo, Arte, and other video-sharing platforms.

Note: Neither the artwork nor this site are associated with the Marquee brand. The renderings were drawn digitally using many sources as a reference and are intended only as an approximate representation of the building as it was to illustrate how some of the smaller venues were historically during the early 1980s.

Looking Back...

The starting point is the music scene in London and the UK during the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, and things open out to include the important cultural and musical transitions that occurred during these influential decades.

The emphasis is on live music or artists that are away from the more commercialized charts.

Looking Forward...

While music from the past is fascinating to review, this is not just a nostalgia trip. A main goal is to connect the influences of the past to now and guide visitors to new groups, active musicians, and current music projects. New and unsigned or unsupported artists are of particular interest.

On Stage

This is a non-commercial project and avoids advertising where possible to keep the experience clutter-free. We don't ask for subscriptions or require your personal details or email address.

A return to the small music venue and music festival experience where live music matters. Virtual venues with links to official websites, Spotify playlists, Apple Music, and video featuring new artists, artists from the past, features, and curated guides. Have a beer or two and step into a world where music is as it should be.