Koko
Koko is a historic live music and entertainment venue in Camden Town, London, operating in a restored former theatre whose identity has evolved through theatre, cinema, broadcasting, club culture and contemporary concerts.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Koko is a live music and entertainment venue in Camden Town, London, housed in a Grade II listed former theatre near Mornington Crescent. The building opened on Boxing Day in 1900 as the Camden Theatre, designed by theatre architect W. G. R. Sprague and built with a capacity of roughly 2,434 people. Its location outside London’s West End did not prevent it from being conceived as a substantial theatrical venue, and its opening was associated with Ellen Terry, one of the leading British actresses of the period. The building changed format several times during the first half of the twentieth century. In 1909 it reopened as the Camden Hippodrome Theatre, a variety venue. Films were introduced into the programme, and in 1913 the building became the Camden Hippodrome Picture Theatre. The cinema was later acquired by the Gaumont British cinema circuit. It closed during the Second World War, after which the BBC took over the premises for radio and recording activities. During the BBC period, the former theatre was used for broadcasts and recordings connected with programmes including The Richard Tauber Programme, The Goon Show and material associated with Monty Python. The BBC departed in 1972, leaving the building unused for several years. Its survival was helped by the building’s architectural listing, which followed demolition proposals in the early 1970s. In 1977 it reopened as The Music Machine, becoming an important venue for punk, new wave and alternative music. Performers associated with this era included The Clash, The Jam, The Boomtown Rats and AC/DC. The name changed again in 1982 to Camden Palace, under which the venue became particularly prominent in London’s club and dance culture. Camden Palace hosted rock, new wave, New Romantic, house, rave and electronic events. It was associated with Steve Strange and Rusty Egan’s New Romantic scene, early house music, the Delerium night, and later rave and trance events including Clockwork Orange, Frantic and Peach. Madonna made her first United Kingdom performance at the venue, Prince performed there during the Lovesexy era and in later secret or private appearances, and artists such as Hüsker Dü, The Prodigy, N-Joi, Blur and Cardiacs appeared during different phases of its development. The building was purchased in 2004 by Oliver Bengough and Mint Entertainment. A major restoration lasting more than six months modernised the technical infrastructure while retaining the historic character and façade. The relaunch under the name Koko broadened the operating model beyond concerts and club nights to include corporate events, television production, album launches, private performances and branded entertainment events. In this period, Koko became a prominent London destination for both established artists and emerging acts, hosting events connected with Coldplay, Madonna, Elton John, Prince, My Chemical Romance, the iTunes Festival, Ariana Grande and many others. On 6 January 2020, a major fire broke out during renovation work. Firefighters brought the blaze under control overnight, and initial reports indicated that the roof was the principal area affected, although the incident caused substantial disruption. After a further multimillion-pound refurbishment, Koko reopened in April 2022. Arcade Fire performed the inaugural concert after the reopening, linking the venue’s restored identity to its continuing role as a launchpad for major contemporary artists. Koko’s brand is based on the combination of heritage architecture, flexible event production and cultural credibility. It serves as a concert hall, club, private-event venue and media location rather than as a conventional consumer-product brand. Its long history allows it to connect theatrical heritage with London’s punk, New Romantic, rave, electronic and pop traditions. The venue has also promoted environmental practices, including high recycling performance and the use of recycled materials, and has received recognition connected with environmental excellence in Camden organisations.
History
Koko’s building began life as the Camden Theatre, opening on Boxing Day 1900 in Camden Town. Designed by W. G. R. Sprague, it was one of the largest theatres outside London’s West End, with a reported capacity of 2,434. The opening was associated with Ellen Terry, a leading actress who had childhood connections to the local area. The theatre’s early programming reflected the ambition to offer substantial theatrical productions to a neighbourhood audience. On 6 December 1909, the venue reopened as the Camden Hippodrome Theatre and shifted toward variety entertainment. Films were incorporated into the programme, and in January 1913 it became the Camden Hippodrome Picture Theatre. The cinema format continued under the ownership of the Gaumont British circuit after the building was acquired in January 1928. The site closed during the Second World War. In 1945 the BBC took over the building for radio and recording use. The former theatre became a studio and broadcast location, hosting or recording material connected with programmes such as The Richard Tauber Programme, The Goon Show and Monty Python. The BBC remained until 1972. After its departure, the building stood vacant and faced possible demolition, but its architectural importance was recognised when it received Grade II listing later in 1972. The venue returned to public entertainment in 1977 under the name The Music Machine. It became a significant destination for punk and new wave, with appearances by The Clash, The Jam and The Boomtown Rats. Its connection to rock history also included AC/DC’s Bon Scott, who was reportedly last seen drinking at the venue before his death in 1980. The Music Machine name was replaced by Camden Palace in 1982. Camden Palace developed into a multi-purpose rock and club venue. During the early 1980s it was associated with the New Romantic movement and figures such as Steve Strange and Rusty Egan. It subsequently supported music imported from New York and the development of early house music in London. The Delerium night, launched in 1987, featured DJs including Colin Faver and Eddie Richards. Prince performed at the venue in 1988 during the Lovesexy Tour, with Ronnie Wood appearing as guest guitarist, and later held an invitation-only after-party there. The late 1980s and early 1990s brought a strong rave identity. The venue hosted early appearances by The Prodigy and N-Joi, while live bands including Blur and Cardiacs continued to perform. In the 1990s, Camden Palace became known for its weekly rave programme, ultraviolet lighting and advanced sound system. Regular events included Clockwork Orange, Frantic and Peach, which helped establish the site within London’s house, acid-house, hard-house and trance communities. The venue also continued to host rock and alternative acts, including Hüsker Dü, which played its first concert outside the United States there in 1985. By 2004, Camden Palace was in poor condition and largely disused. Oliver Bengough acquired the building through Mint Entertainment and initiated an extensive restoration. The work lasted more than six months and involved a multimillion-pound investment in technical facilities, event infrastructure and the building’s presentation. The restored venue was renamed Koko. Its operating scope expanded to concerts, club nights, corporate functions, television production, private showcases and music-industry launches. The restored Koko attracted a broad range of performers. Coldplay used the venue for an X&Y album launch in 2005, while Madonna held an event connected with Confessions on a Dance Floor later that year. Elton John hosted a benefit party for his AIDS charity in 2006, and Prince returned for a secret show in 2007. Other notable activity included a BBC Radio 1 private performance by My Chemical Romance, a Disney Channel Hannah Montana event, a Siouxsie Sioux live recording, the 2009 iTunes Festival and charity events involving artists such as Lily Allen and Bryan Ferry. The venue also hosted private promotional concerts for Ed Sheeran in 2017 and Ariana Grande in 2018. A large fire broke out during renovation work on 6 January 2020. Emergency services attended through the night, and the fire was reported under control in the early hours of 7 January. The cause was not immediately known, and early accounts suggested that the roof sustained the main visible damage. Koko subsequently underwent another major refurbishment and reopened in April 2022, with Arcade Fire providing the inaugural concert. The reopening confirmed the venue’s continuing role in London’s live music circuit. Alongside its entertainment programme, Koko has promoted environmental measures. Since the 2004 restoration, its sustainability work has been associated with recognition for environmental excellence among Camden organisations. Reported measures include a recycling rate of approximately 95 percent and the use of recycled materials in the building. Today, Koko remains best understood as a historic venue brand: its value derives from architectural heritage, cultural associations, flexible production capabilities and its ability to host both emerging performers and internationally established artists.
- 2022
Reopens after refurbishment
[1]Koko reopens in April after a major post-fire refurbishment, with Arcade Fire performing the inaugural concert.
- 2020
Major fire during renovation
[1]A serious fire damages the building during renovation work on 6 January.
- 2004
Purchased and restored
[1]Oliver Bengough and Mint Entertainment acquire the run-down venue and undertake an extensive restoration.
- 2004
Relaunched as Koko
[1]Following restoration, the venue adopts the Koko name and expands into concerts, club nights, corporate events and television production.
- 1982
Renamed Camden Palace
[1]The Music Machine adopts the Camden Palace name and develops a strong club and dance identity.
- 1977
Reopens as The Music Machine
[1]The former theatre returns as a live music venue associated with punk and new wave.
- 1972
BBC departs and building is listed
[1]The BBC leaves, the building becomes vacant and it receives Grade II listing after demolition proposals.
- 1945
BBC studio period begins
[1]The BBC takes over the building for radio and recording work after the Second World War.
- 1928
Acquired by Gaumont British
[1]The cinema is purchased by the Gaumont British cinema circuit.
- 1913
Becomes a cinema
[1]The building is converted into the Camden Hippodrome Picture Theatre.
Products and positioning
A heritage London music venue combining a Grade II listed theatrical setting with contemporary concert production, club programming, private events and artist-led cultural experiences.
Music venue programming · 1977
Live concerts
Koko’s central offering is a programme of ticketed live concerts spanning rock, pop, alternative, electronic, hip-hop and other contemporary genres. The venue’s historic auditorium and upgraded technical facilities allow it to present both developing artists and established international acts.
Nightlife and dance events · 1982
Club nights
The venue has a long-standing club identity, including New Romantic, house, rave, acid-house, hard-house and trance programming. Historic nights associated with the building include Delerium, Clockwork Orange, Frantic and Peach.
Events and hospitality · 2004
Private and branded events
Koko provides a setting for private performances, album launches, media showcases, corporate functions, charity events and branded entertainment. Its combination of a protected historic façade and modern production infrastructure supports events requiring a distinctive London setting.
Media production · 2004
Broadcast and television production
The venue can accommodate television, filmed performances and other media productions. This capability extends a tradition that began when the BBC used the building as a radio and recording studio from 1945 to 1972.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Ariana Grande promotional event
United Kingdom
Ariana Grande held a promotional event at Koko in September in connection with her fourth studio album, Sweetener.
Outcome. The event continued Koko’s role as a venue for exclusive artist appearances and album-era promotion.
- 2017Ed Sheeran promotional private concert
United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran performed a private concert at Koko to promote his third studio album, in partnership with Capital FM.
Outcome. The event used Koko’s intimate capacity and heritage setting for a radio-linked artist promotion.
- 2010Institute of Contemporary Arts fundraiser
United Kingdom
Koko hosted a fundraiser for the Institute of Contemporary Arts featuring performances by Lily Allen and Bryan Ferry.
Outcome. The event reinforced the venue’s position at the intersection of music, arts fundraising and London cultural life.
- 2009iTunes Festival at Koko
United Kingdom · International digital audience
Koko hosted a 30-night iTunes Festival programme with performances by artists including N.E.R.D, Paul Weller, James Blunt, Calvin Harris and Dizzee Rascal.
Outcome. The programme reportedly attracted more than 45,000 attendees and strengthened Koko’s profile as a venue for high-visibility music-industry events.
- 2006Elton John AIDS charity benefit
United Kingdom
Elton John hosted a benefit party at Koko connected with his AIDS charity, with public figures and entertainers attending.
Outcome. The event demonstrated Koko’s use as a charity and benefit venue in addition to its concert and club programme.
Brand decisions
2020
Post-fire rebuildingOtherBackground
A major fire broke out during renovation work on 6 January 2020, with damage reported particularly around the roof.
Action taken
The venue undertook a further major refurbishment after the fire and rebuilt its facilities before reopening.
Aftermath
Koko reopened in April 2022 with Arcade Fire as the inaugural post-refurbishment performer.
2004
Repositioning from Camden Palace to KokoStrategyBackground
By 2004, the former Camden Palace was run down and largely out of use, despite its cultural history and central London location.
Action taken
Oliver Bengough and Mint Entertainment purchased the property, carried out an extensive restoration and relaunched it under the Koko name with expanded concert, club, corporate and production capabilities.
Aftermath
The restoration established Koko as a prominent contemporary London music and events venue while preserving the building’s historic architectural identity.
Recent events
- 2022
Koko reopens after post-fire refurbishment[1]
Other · Product generation
Koko reopened in April 2022 after a multimillion-pound refurbishment following the 2020 fire. Arcade Fire performed the first concert in the reopened venue.
- 2020
Fire damages Koko during renovation work[1]
Other
A major fire broke out at Koko during renovation work on 6 January 2020. Eight fire engines and approximately 60 firefighters attended, and the blaze was brought under control overnight. Early reporting said the damage appeared concentrated in the roof, while the cause had not yet been established.
- 2009
Koko hosts the iTunes Festival[1]
Campaign
Koko hosted a 30-night iTunes Festival programme featuring artists including N.E.R.D, Paul Weller, James Blunt, Calvin Harris and Dizzee Rascal.
Sources3 sources
- 1Koko (music venue)en.wikipedia.org
- 2In 2018, Airbnb quietly acquired Koko, an AI-powered content moderation startup, as it looked to avoid the pitfalls faced by social media platforms around toxic contentbusinessinsider.com
- 3KOKO Partners with DINIDU to Bring Greater Flexibility to Luxury Jewellery Shopping - Press Releases | Daily Mirrordailymirror.lk
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