Dingwalls, Camden
Excellent Camden establishment famous for its comedy nights, but equally adept at staging great gigs. The multi-level set up is ideal for the, er, vertically challenged among us, and also provides a neat symbolic account of the enthusiasm of the crowd: the loyal fans down the front, looking up adoringly at their idols; the take-'em or leave-'em bunch standing on the middle-ground; and way back from the stage looking down on proceedings, but within leaning distance of the bar, the crew who probably didn't even pay to get in and who don't care if their loud and brain-dead conversations annoy the hell out of everyone else.
A really eclectic programme is assured, with the latest indie upstarts (The Vines) playing alongside reggae legends like The Ethiopians, and MORarse like Crash Test Dummies (though not, obviously, on the same night).

Camden Lock, top of Camden High Street NW1
020 7267 1577
Nearet Tube: Camden Town
Nearest Rail: Camden Road/Kentish Town West
Tickets usually available at the Camden Ticket Shop, Parkway and at Rhythm Records, 281 Camden High St (tel. 020 7267 0123)