The Blow Up Metro Club

18/01/2026

17 years ago the Metro closed it's doors for the last time. The date being also the birthday of co-owner of the Metro Alan Campbell's birthday. Tonight in South London Alan's celebrated his 80th birthday with a big bash of family, friends and staff from the Metro (and Wag club). A great night. Happy birthday Alan!

The Metro Club closed its doors this day in 2009, 14 years ago. A salute to the many good times had there and to the staff and patrons that made it a special place.

The Metro Club (The Blow Up Metro Club) was run by Paul Tunkin of Blow Up (music director / live booker )and the former Wag Club manager Alan Campbell (general manager / director). The two teamed up to take on the lease of the Metro in November 2001 and quickly turned around the venues fortunes, by January 2003 Paul received a Time Out London Best London Venue Award on behalf the Metro which had become the centre of what was dubbed 'New Rock n' Roll scene' in London. This saw thousands of bands play over six nights a week and various club nights after the shows into the early hours of the morning with the Blow Up club being in residence there on Saturday nights. Paul and Alan ran the venue until its closure by TFL as part of the Crossrail project Monday 17th January 2009.

To see photos from the Metro era and over the years for Blow Up head to https://www.blowupimages.com . More photos to be uploaded soon from the Metro era plus Blow Up club and Blow Up Records sections will be added at some point. Please get in touch if you have photos that you would like to submit.

16/10/2025

Blow Up. We are all celebrating tomorrow night at London The Britannia - Doors 8pm, The Bongolian on stage 9.30pm, The Forty Fours on stage 11pm. DJ Paul Tunkin

08/12/2023

Farewell Shane.

This is a shot when Shane MacGowan joined Jessie Malin on stage at the Metro Club for a spirited rendition of Olivers Army. 12/07/2004.

https://www.blowupimages.com/galleries/jessie-malin-12072004/

17/01/2023

The Metro Club closed its doors this day in 2009, 14 years ago. A salute to the many good times had there and to the staff and patrons that made it a special place.

The Metro Club (The Blow Up Metro Club) was run by Paul Tunkin of Blow Up (music director / live booker )and the former Wag Club manager Alan Campbell (general manager / director). The two teamed up to take on the lease of the Metro in November 2001 and quickly turned around the venues fortunes, by January 2003 Paul received a Time Out London Best London Venue Award on behalf the Metro which had become the centre of what was dubbed 'New Rock n' Roll scene' in London. This saw thousands of bands play over six nights a week and various club nights after the shows into the early hours of the morning with the Blow Up club being in residence there on Saturday nights. Paul and Alan ran the venue until its closure by TFL as part of the Crossrail project Monday 17th January 2009.

To see photos from the Metro era and over the years for Blow Up head to https://www.blowupimages.com . More photos to be uploaded soon from the Metro era plus Blow Up club and Blow Up Records sections will be added at some point. Please get in touch if you have photos that you would like to submit.

18/10/2022

29 years ago this week...

29 years ago today Blow Up was opening its doors for the first time in Camden Town London. So it's Happy Birthday to us! Please join us to celebrate at the second of three events at Vout-O-Reenee's London Saturday 12th November DJ Paul Tunkin Adv tickets: https://www.wegottickets.com/f/12863
7.30pm-1am.

14/04/2022

Blow Up are pleased to announce that today we have launched a brand new website Blow Up Images.

Blow Up Images is a website dedicated solely to the visual imagery of the Blow Up club, Blow Up Records (record label), The Blow Up Metro Club (venue / nightclub). It will primarily contain shots of the people and places that were part of it. Whether capturing a live show or people at a Blow Up club event. It could also in time include other related images.

The Metro Club gallery will be first to go live initially with all shots taken by Blow Up founder Paul Tunkin in 2004.

BLOW UP IMAGES : https://www.blowupimages.com/

PHOENIX The 5.6.7.8's Official Jesse Malin Vive Le Rock NME Music Business Worldwide Music Week BBC Radio 6 Music Shindig! Magazine... the latest! IMPELmusic UK Music

27/09/2021

RIP Steve Strange, a legendary booking agent. Condolences to Steve's family and all his colleagues at X-ray touring.

X-ray Touring are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Strange, one of the founding partners of the agency, has passed away after a short illness. 

We have lost a legendary figure in our personal and professional lives that we will all deeply miss.

Steve was a unique individual within our industry, his overwhelming love of music lead to a 30 year plus career guiding the touring of an eclectic mix of artists from all genres of music that he adored. 

A universally known, hugely respected and loved character - if you hadn’t already seen him at a gig or festival, you’d most certainly hear his infectious and infamous laugh. 

Steve had the best ears in the agency business, signing and developing the careers of countless world class Artists from small club venues to vast international multi-stadium tours.

He will always be remembered with love by his friends & colleagues at X-ray and the world over.

07/03/2021

The Metro gets a two pages profile in this book

It came out last year but finally picked up a copy of London's Lost Music venues by Paul Talling. Blow Up gets a few mentions in the book with regard to some of our various venue homes including The Blow Up Metro Club and The Laurel Tree which are both featured, whilst there are a few others that Blow Up had long associations with such as The Wag Club, Gossips and many other venues that have so many great memories. Pick up a copy if you have not already...
PT

The book is published by Damaged Goods Records

17/01/2021

The doors were closed for the final time on The Blow Up Metro Club 12 years ago today.

A salute to all the staff, bands, promoters, agents, DJ's, managers, labels, publishers and everyone who helped make it the place to be over those nine years between 2001-2009.

A special mention for our staff member Joseph Araneta who sadly passed away 3/1/2021.

PT

07/01/2020

Catch up on your favourite BBC radio show from your favourite DJ right here, whenever you like. Listen without limits with BBC Sounds.