The Forum, Tunbridge Wells

The Forum is an independent music venue in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, with a standing capacity of 250. The venue opened in 1993, the building having previously been a public toilet.[1]

Tunbridge Wells Forum
Tunbridge Wells Forum
LocationRoyal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, United Kingdom
TypeLive music, Arts
Genre(s)indie
Capacity250
Opened1993 (as a music venue)
Website
http://www.twforum.co.uk

Location

The Forum is located on Tunbridge Wells Common, close to the junction of the A26 London Road and Frant Road, opposite the Church of King Charles the Martyr and The Pantiles. It is approximately five minutes walk from Tunbridge Wells station.

History

The Forum was the brainchild of four friends: Michael Oyarzabal, Peter Hoare, Jason Dormon, and Mark Davyd, two of whom had previously been involved with the Rumble Club,[2] an irregular music event that took place in a variety of locations in Tunbridge Wells during the period 1988 to 1992 – bringing bands such as The Boo Radleys, Lush and Green Day to the area. It was the success of The Rumble Club that prompted them to seek a permanent location for their own venue.

The Forum opened as a new music venue in January 1993 in a building on Tunbridge Wells Common which had been built as a public cold bath and was subsequently a public toilet and then a brass rubbing centre. It has since hosted a number of acts who have gone on to achieve significant commercial success.

In 2007, The Forum produced a parody of the cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, showing a selection of the better known acts that had played at the venue.[3]

In 2010, The Forum and one of its founders Jason Dormon were featured in The Independent's "Happy List", profiling people who make Britain a better place to live.[4]

In 2012, the NME voted the venue as Britain's Best Small Venue.[5]

The Forum has been credited as a key influence by people from the local area who have become successful in the music industry - including Jeremy Pritchard of Everything Everything[6] and Slaves.[7]

Notable acts

Many acts have appeared at The Forum, towards the beginning of careers that saw them go onto significant commercial success. These have included Adele,[1] Biffy Clyro,[8] Coldplay,[9] Ellie Goulding,[10] Green Day,[11] IDLES,[12] The Libertines,[13] Mumford & Sons,[1] Muse,[8] Oasis,[14] Royal Blood,[15] The Vaccines,[16] and Wolf Alice.[17]

In addition, The Forum has been used as a venue for more established acts who are playing warmup or smaller shows. These have included Ash,[18] The Divine Comedy,[19] Enter Shikari,[20] Foals,[21] Frank Turner,[22] Graham Coxon, Keane, and Rag'n'Bone Man,[23].

References
  1. "Tunbridge Wells' Forum scores NME top music venue award". Independent.co.uk. 8 May 2012.
  2. "10 Years of the Forum" (PDF). Mrgig.com. 2003.
  3. "madasafish". Archived from the original on 9 September 2010.
  4. "The IoS Happy List 2010 - the 100". Independent.co.uk. 25 April 2010. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022.
  5. Knott, Alex (8 May 2012). "Tunbridge Wells' Forum wins NME top music venue award - Music News". Frostmagazine.com.
  6. "Upbringing: Everything Everything". Diymag.com.
  7. "Sold-out homecoming gig a dream come true for Kent punks Slaves". Courier.co.uk. 19 February 2015.
  8. "Tunbridge Wells' Forum scores NME top music venue award". The Independent. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  9. "New forum set up for music scene in Tunbridge Wells". Thisiskent.co.uk. 5 March 2010.
  10. "Ellie Goulding, The Forum, Tunbridge WellsAbbaworld, Earls Court". Independent.co.uk. 31 January 2010. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022.
  11. "Green Day in Tunbridge Wells, England - May 03, 1993". Greendayauthority.com.
  12. "IDLES Setlist at The Forum, Royal Tunbridge Wells". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  13. "Tunbridge Wells Forum Gig - The Libertines". Libertines.proboards.com.
  14. "Oasis and Whiteout at The Forum (26 Mar 94)". Songkick.com.
  15. "Royal Blood - The Forum, Tunbridge Wells". Supajam.com.
  16. jonunt (21 February 2011). "THE VACCINES - WRECKIN' BAR - 210211 - FORUM TUN. WELLS". YouTube. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021.
  17. "Live Review: Wolf Alice // The Forum, Tunbridge Wells – 23.08.17". Riotmag.co. 24 August 2017.
  18. "Advert for Ash gig at TW Forum". Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  19. "A short site about the Divine Comedy". Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  20. "Enter Shikari". Entershikari.com.
  21. "Foals". YouTube.
  22. "Twitter - Frank Turner".
  23. "KentOnline - Rag'N'Bone Man to play Tunbridge Wells Forum".

51°7′37″N 0°15′30″E

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