The Roundhouse concert hall in London has a total seating capacity of 3,300. This includes both reserved seating and standing room capacity. The venue can accommodate different setups, with the full capacity reachable in an end-stage concert layout.
What’s the History of the Roundhouse?
The Roundhouse was originally built in 1847 as a round engine repair shed for the London and Birmingham Railway. After the steam engines were phased out, the building fell into disuse in the early 20th century. In 1964, it was scheduled to be demolished but was saved and reopened as a performing arts venue in 1966. Some key points in the Roundhouse’s history:
- 1847 – Built as a railway roundhouse
- Early 1900s – Fell into disuse after steam engines phased out
- 1964 – Scheduled for demolition
- 1966 – Reopened as a performing arts venue after being saved
Since reopening in 1966, the Roundhouse has hosted various notable performances and events. It gained recognition in the 1960s and 70s for psychedelic rock and progressive rock concerts, including by bands like Pink Floyd and The Doors. It has since hosted many famous musicians across genres like The Rolling Stones, Kanye West, and Tony Bennett, as well as theatre, circus, and poetry performances.
What’s the Main Auditorium Capacity?
The Main Auditorium at the Roundhouse has a total capacity of 3,300. This includes both reserved seating and standing general admission. The seating capacity ranges based on the event setup:
- End-stage concert: Up to 3,300 capacity
- In-the-round: Up to 2,790 seated capacity
- Theatre-style: Up to 1,700 seated capacity
For end-stage concerts where the stage is located at one end of the hall, the full 3,300 capacity can be reached. 1,700 floor seats plus standing room on the ground level and seating in the circular balcony makes up the total Main Auditorium capacity.
Detailed Breakdown of Seating Sections
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the Roundhouse Main Auditorium seating sections and capacities:
Section | Seating Type | Capacity |
---|---|---|
Floor – Front Center | Reserved seating | 446 seats |
Floor – Front Sides | Reserved seating | 278 seats total (139 on each side) |
Floor – Back Center | Reserved seating | 128 seats |
Floor – Back Sides | Standing general admission | 800 standing capacity |
Balcony | Reserved seating | 648 seats |
Total | 3,300 capacity |
This table summarizes the different seating sections, whether they are reserved seats or general admission standing, and the capacity of each section.
What are the Other Venues and Capacities?
In addition to the Main Auditorium, the Roundhouse has some other venues and spaces:
The Space
The Space is a smaller more intimate performance space inside the Roundhouse. It has a flexible capacity of up to 380 people depending on the seating configuration. It can be set up with standing room only, seated, or cabaret-style seating. The Space hosts a variety of performances including comedy shows, acoustic concerts, talks and debates, and circus shows.
Studios
There are several Studios spaces that are used for rehearsals and workshops. Studio 1 has a capacity of up to 150 and Studio 2 up to 200 people.
Function Rooms
There are a couple of Function Rooms that can be used for smaller events like meetings, conferences, dinners, and weddings. The Rehearsal Room can accommodate up to 200 people seated or 350 standing. The Lower Rehearsal Room can fit up to 50 people seated classroom-style.
How Does the Roundhouse Capacity Compare to Other London Venues?
Here’s how the Roundhouse Main Auditorium capacity compares to some other famous London concert venues:
Venue | Concert Capacity |
---|---|
The O2 Arena | Up to 20,000 |
The O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire | Up to 2,000 |
Eventim Apollo | Up to 5,039 |
SSE Arena Wembley | Up to 12,500 |
The Roundhouse | Up to 3,300 |
With a capacity of 3,300, the Roundhouse is considered a mid-size venue in London. It’s much smaller than huge arenas like The O2 and Wembley Arena, but bigger than more intimate venues like Shepherd’s Bush Empire. The flexible layouts allow the Roundhouse to host both larger concerts and more intimate gigs.
What Kind of Events are Hosted at the Roundhouse?
Here are some of the main types of events and performances hosted at the Roundhouse:
Concerts
The Roundhouse hosts concerts across many genres like pop, rock, indie, folk, hip-hop, and avant-garde music. Both well-known mainstream and emerging alternative bands perform there. Some artists who have performed include The Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, Bob Dylan, and Bryan Adams.
Theatre & Circus
A variety of theatre and circus productions have been staged at the Roundhouse. It has hosted immersive theatre, West End theatre previews, experimental theatre, and contemporary circus like the NoFit State Circus.
Performing Arts
In addition to standard concerts and theatre, the Roundhouse also presents more eclectic performing arts shows. This ranges from poetry, comedy and spoken word to avant-garde dance, acrobatics, and choral performances.
Exhibitions & Events
The circular layout of the venue makes it well suited for exhibitions, art installations, and creative events. It has presented art exhibitions, fashion shows, movie screenings, food festivals, craft fairs, and more.
What are Some Notable Past Performances?
Here are some highlights of famous performances and events from the Roundhouse’s history:
- 1966 – Pink Floyd – One of the first rock concerts held after the venue re-opened was by Pink Floyd in 1966.
- October 1969 – The Doors – The Doors played 6 nights at the Roundhouse, just a few months before Jim Morrison’s death.
- 1972 to 1976 – Grease – The original London production of the hit musical Grease launched at The Roundhouse.
- 2006 – Tori Amos – Tori Amos played her first UK gig in over 7 years in support of her album The Beekeeper.
- 2007 – Chemical Brothers – Electronic duo The Chemical Brothers played a record-breaking 6-night residency.
- 2008 – Cirque du Soleil – Cirque du Soleil had a 6-week run of their show La Nouba at the Roundhouse.
- 2011 – Arctic Monkeys – Indie rockers Arctic Monkeys did a secret intimate show before releasing their Suck It and See album.
These represent some of the historic concerts and shows from rock legends to theatre classics that have happened at the venue.
How Has the Roundhouse Been Updated Over the Years?
While the original circular structure and architecture remains, the Roundhouse has undergone gradual renovations, upgrades, and expansions over the decades, including:
- New dressing rooms and restrooms added in the 1990s.
- Bars and food stalls upgraded in the 2000s.
- Balcony regenerated with new seating in 2010.
- Installation of a new state-of-the-art sound system and lighting rig.
- Channer Sculpture and The Roundhouse Studio built as performance and function spaces.
- Main Archive created to document the Roundhouse’s history.
- Building made fully accessible with the addition of lifts and ramps.
These renovations have helped improve audience comfort and enjoyment while preserving the iconic architecture. More updates are planned for coming years including a full renovation of the Main Auditorium.
How is the Roundhouse Used for the Community?
In addition to public performances, the Roundhouse offers several community programs:
Performances by Community Groups
The venue hosts shows by local community theatre groups, music ensembles, circus troops, and more. This allows them to gain experience performing in a professional venue.
Education Programs
There are Roundhouse education programs focused on music, theatre, and circus for over 3,000 young people each year. Programs allow youngsters to learn from industry experts.
Career Development
Young creatives can get support in building careers through Roundhouse programs like the Resident Artist Scheme and Roundhouse Rising which provide mentoring and professional opportunities.
Venue Hire
Community groups and schools can hire spaces like Studios and Function Rooms at subsidized rates for their own events and workshops.
By engaging local young people and making its spaces widely accessible, the Roundhouse aims to have a positive community impact.
Conclusion
With a rich history dating back over 170 years, the Roundhouse offers a unique, adaptable venue for performances and community impact. The main auditorium has a total concert capacity of 3,300 seated and standing, while formats like in-the-round reduce seating. Ongoing renovations, excellent acoustics, and intimacy provide audience and performers an unforgettable experience. The Roundhouse continues to host exciting and eclectic events showcasing both world-famous artists and local talent.