O2 Academy Brixton: Pub in Lambeth, London

O2 Academy Brixton is a live music room in SW9, and that is most of what it is. The programming leans towards touring artists, the kind who play a run of dates and make a stop in south London. The mix shifts from one month to the next, but the common thread is a band or singer in front of a crowd that has come to hear them properly. The crowd tends to be gig regulars. They know the room, the sound, and when to get in. If it is your first visit, stay for the support acts. Some of the most memorable sets come from people you have never heard of. Think about what kind of night you want before you book. A full room, a closer view, or a quieter set each suits a different gig.