Sound Advice: The Standard is a jewel in our collective musical crowns (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Sound Advice: The Standard is a jewel in our collective musical crowns

2:34pm Tuesday 31st May 2011

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DISASTER. The Standard is set to be closed down later this year.

The historic Walthamstow landmark is the only dedicated music venue for miles around and has played host to thousands of bands since it opened in 1986.

Its owner, Punch Taverns, says it is close to completing the sale of the site and the deal should be done by the end of June.

Sound Advice understands that the venue will continue to operate until December, so there's no excuse for anyone out there not to attend a show in its final few months.

Promoters at the venue are understandably shocked by the news, but stay tuned to Sound Advice in the coming weeks for details of the final few shows that should help send the Standard off in style.

If you need to recover from the bad news yourself, there's always country folk collective Ahab, who headline the North Star pub in Leytonstone on Thursday (June 2).

They are supposed to be rather excellent. Support comes from London acoustic act Jack.

The music gets going from 8pm and entry is free, although donations welcome.

Waltham Abbey Folk Club hosts a Singaround jam night on Monday (June 6). Entry is £1.50p and doors at the Royal British Legion in Brooker Road swing open at 8.30pm.

Harvey Andrews plays Walthamstow Folk Club at Ye Olde Rose and Crown pub on Sunday (June 5).

Mr A has been in the business for more than 40 years and has earned well-deserved praise for his hilarious and thought-provoking songs.

Admission is £6, or £5 for concessions.

The Battered Saucepan blues band play the pub's main bar, in Hoe Street, on Monday (June 6).

The tunes get going from 8.30pm and it's free for your ears to enjoy.

Stew Simpson performs at Loughton Folk Club this Thursday (June 2).

For £3 you can hear his alternative folk-influenced acoustic rock, all performed in a Geordie accent.

There's a £1 discount for members. It's at the Loughton Club in Station Road and doors are at 8pm.

Finally, an honourable mention to local band the Candy Runts, who came runner-up in this week's battle of the bands Rock Contest at Harlow Square. Although apparently there was a mix up with the scores and they should've won. But they can take comfort in the fact they're still young so still have plenty of time to achieve world domination.

Got a gig? Email dbinns@london.newsquest.co.uk

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