Where Tomorrow’s Headliners Play Today

We took over The Finsbury in 2007, not really knowing what we were signing up for. Back then, it was just another local sports pub, with cheap lager and not many customers. We had TVs broadcasting all kinds of sporting events, pool tables, darts and all sorts of slot machines to deal with.

But then something clicked.

Our founder had always been into music. Having been in a band himself as a young bloke, he thought, why not give it a go and help the community by creating a safe space for performing artists?

Once we had a vision for what The Finsbury could become, we put countless hours into turning it into what it is today. We got to work and built a little stage in the corner of our back room, which at the time was occupied by pool tables and corner sofas. We bought some basic music equipment and started with open mic nights.

And for nearly two decades, something exciting has been happening here.

Night after night, musicians have walked through our doors. They’ve played our stage to small crowds, performed at open mic nights, taken support slots, showcased new material and played headline gigs.

Some were just starting out. Others were already building a name for themselves.

That is the story of The Finsbury.

Not simply a pub that happens to have live music, but a grassroots music venue. A place where artists can start.

Before Anyone Knows Their Name

There is something special about seeing an artist in a small room before they become famous. You’re not watching the finished product. You’re watching the beginning.

There are no enormous stages, huge production crews or thousands of people singing every word back at them. There is just the artist, the song and the audience.

That is what grassroots venues are for. They give musicians somewhere to experiment and promoters somewhere to take a chance on new talent. And sometimes, something happens.

Someone in the audience knows someone.

A promoter sees potential.

A manager hears a voice.

A record executive walks through the door.

That is how music scenes grow.

After being part of this venue for so long, watching artists develop and seeing some of them return years later, we know how special those moments can be. To look back and realise that we were there somewhere near the beginning makes it all worthwhile.

Tom Grennan — The Story That Says It All

Perhaps the best example is Tom Grennan.

Tom played The Finsbury back in 2015, when he was still an emerging artist. Someone was paying attention. Music industry executive Andy Varley came to see him perform at The Finsbury and was impressed by his voice. Tom went on to sign with Insanity in February 2016, just months after that performance.

The rest is history.

Tom went on to become a chart-topping artist, selling millions of records and performing on some of the biggest stages in the country.

And then, on 5 October 2026, he came back. Back to The Finsbury.

It was a reminder of exactly why places like The Finsbury matter. Somewhere between an open mic night in North London and a huge stage, a career can change forever.

From The Finsbury to Finsbury Park

And Tom isn't the only story. Take Fontaines D.C.

Before becoming one of the most acclaimed bands of their generation, they were another young band finding their feet on the live circuit. They flew over from Ireland for their first London show and played The Finsbury on 15 June 2017, alongside Chris Hornsby and Cold Fins.

Years later, they would headline Finsbury Park.

The journey from a small North London venue to a huge London park could hardly make the point more clearly. As Carlos O’Connell later reflected, it was an incredible full-circle journey — from The Finsbury Pub to Finsbury Park.

That is what a grassroots music journey can look like.

Big Artists, Small Rooms

Then there are the artists who have already made it but still understand the importance of the small room.

In 2025, Kasabian chose The Finsbury for an intimate, exclusive show ahead of their huge Finsbury Park concert. They launched their new single, “Hippie Sunshine,” with Serge Pizzorno getting right into the crowd and moshing with fans. It was an incredible night, and one we will cherish for a long time.

The room was packed, the crowd was right up against the stage, and a band capable of playing enormous venues was standing in the same room where countless emerging artists have played their very first shows. For us, that was incredibly meaningful. After nearly two decades of supporting new music, having one of the UK's biggest live bands choose to play our stage felt like another full-circle moment.

And in September 2026, Bradley Simpson, lead singer of The Vamps, brought his Open Arms show to The Finsbury. The Vamps have built an international following, and Bradley's appearance brought another familiar name to our small North London venue.

These nights show that The Finsbury isn't just a place for artists at the beginning of their careers. It's also somewhere established musicians can get close to their audiences and enjoy the atmosphere of an intimate live room.

And the List Keeps Growing

Over the years, The Finsbury has welcomed artists across indie, alternative, pop, electronic and singer-songwriter music. Many have gone on to release acclaimed albums, play major festivals, tour internationally or achieve chart success.

The Amazons are one example. The British rock band built a strong following through their energetic live shows, and their self-titled debut album reached No. 8 on the UK Albums Chart in 2017.

Anteros, the London indie-pop band, released their debut album, When We Land, in 2019 and toured with established acts including Two Door Cinema Club and White Lies, as well as appearing at major festivals.

Karima Francis was named The Observer's number-one act to watch in 2009 and went on to release music through major record labels.

Eliza and the Bear attracted attention early in their career and supported Paramore on a UK tour that included a Wembley Arena show. They later released their self-titled debut album in 2016.

Kimberly Anne featured on Sam Feldt's version of Show Me Love, which reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart in 2015.

Holly Walker, known for her work with electronic duo Maribou State, has continued to develop her own career as a singer-songwriter. In 2024, The Guardian named her an artist to watch as she released her debut solo album, Unsung.

And Daydreamers are another band whose journey began right here at The Finsbury, where they played their very first show in 2023. Since then, the London-based four-piece have built a distinctive sound around nostalgic melodies and gone on to play some of the UK's biggest festivals including Reading & Leeds, Latitude, TRNSMT, Electric Picnic, Isle of Wight, Tramlines and Kendal Calling.

Our history also includes Wyldest, Lazy Day, Peach Club, Cupids, SHINERS and More Like Trees, alongside many other artists and bands that have performed here over the years.

Some have gone on to achieve widespread recognition. Others have taken different paths, building dedicated audiences and continuing to make music in their own way.

Every one of them is part of our story. And that's one of the exciting things about looking back: there are still stories to uncover, old posters to find and memories to piece together.

The list keeps growing, and the next chapter is being written right here at The Finsbury.

North London's grassroots live music venue.

Where tomorrow's headliners play today.

And the next one might already be here.