A much-loved Kentish Town music pub has been saved after its owners signed a partnership deal that will see the Grade II listed venue refurbished and turned into a multimedia hub for emerging talent.
The Fiddler’s Elbow, on Malden Road, went on the market in March for £1.75 million after longstanding owners Dan Maiden and Nancy Wild decided to retire. Maiden has run the pub since 2009.
Quiet Revolt Media Group has now stepped in with a partnership deal to safeguard the venue. The refurbishment, planned for next year, will include building a recording studio, and the pub will carry on as a live venue while also becoming the physical anchor for Quiet Revolt’s “fan-first” music discovery platform.
The pub began hosting live music in the 1970s, when it was known as the Old Mother Shipton, and was renamed in the 1990s as it became an established grassroots venue. Over the decades it has been a platform for bands of every musical stripe, with The Pogues, The Damned, Imelda May, Frank Turner and James Bay among those who have played there.
It has long been considered a cornerstone of London’s live music scene, offering a stage to unsigned bands at a time when independent venues have struggled to stay open.
Maiden said it had been “an absolute honour and privilege to work with so many incredible artists, bands and wonderful people over the years at The Fiddler’s Elbow”.
“We’ve shared some unforgettable moments, overcome enormous challenges and weathered some incredibly difficult times,” he said. “Thanks to the unwavering support of our music community, loyal customers, dedicated staff and the organisations such as Music Venues Trust that stood by us, we not only survived but continued to keep live music alive.”
He stressed the deal was not a farewell. Maiden and Wild will remain involved as the venue enters its next chapter, working alongside the new team.
“We are delighted to be continuing our involvement, working alongside the new team to build on everything we’ve achieved and ensure The Fiddler’s Elbow goes from strength to strength,” he said. “With Quiet Revolt Media Group, The Fiddler’s legacy will live on and we truly believe the best is yet to come.”
Quiet Revolt describes itself as a forward-looking media and entertainment company that aims to challenge outdated industry models. The venue will support artists with both stage time and digital exposure, broadcasting across digital platforms and GEN TV.
The rescue comes as other London pubs are also being given a second life, with the Vine on Hampstead Heath undergoing a revamp and the Prince Albert in Bexleyheath set to reopen on Saturday.
