Eurythmics star helps revive the Marquee
One of the UK’s most famous music venues, The Marquee, is to be revived by chart star Dave Stewart, it was announced today.
The Eurythmics musician is teaming up with club entrepreneur Mark Fuller to help the name live on at a new multi-million custom-built entertainment complex.
Across the decades since it first opened in 1958 the venue has played host to shows by major acts such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, U2 and REM.
It has been in three central London locations - Oxford Street, Wardour Street and Charing Cross Road - and will soon move to Islington.
Stewart said today: ‘‘I’m looking forward to re-creating that magic and watching new acts pushing through and performing at such an amazing venue.’’
He and Fuller were hoping to expand the concept into a global chain of venues.
The new Marquee would be 1,000 capacity venue and feature a restaurant, under the charge of Michelin-starred chef Garry Hollihead, who co-owns London’s Embassy Restaurant with Fuller.
The Marquee first opened in 1958 in Oxford Street, and moved to nearby Wardour Street in 1964.
It eventually headed a few streets away to Charing Cross Road in 1988, but closed its doors in 1996.
Stewart said: ‘‘The new Marquee will be a total entertainment experience; you might have one of the world’s top bands playing on one night, followed by great music from around the world on the next.
‘‘The day after that might feature a series of short films, introduced by the directors the possibilities are limitless and very exciting.
‘‘I have some fantastic memories of The Marquee from over the decades. I used to go along every week to the Wardour Street site, all the major bands used to play it. You always knew that you would go along and watch something special.’’
