The cramped, sweaty and defiantly uncomfortable Astoria - which saw gigs from the Rolling Stones, Nirvana or Arctic Monkeys and many others - is to be demolished. The Times
Sentiment, popularity and the lack of other substantial live music venues in Central London will not be enough to save the historic auditorium from demolition.
Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, has confirmed that the 2,000 capacity venue will be knocked down to make way for the capital’s new Crossrail service, and will close at the end of the year.
'The construction of Crossrail means that the Astoria can’t be saved,' the mayor said. He added that a new, plusher concert venue would be included in the new development in Tottenham Court Road.