Back to black? Amy Winehouse, Camden Town and the survival of London’s perennial music playground

Out of all the musicians who have lived, worked, or performed in Camden Town, Amy Winehouse has the closest bond with the area. However, the release of the Winehouse biographical film called Back to Black serves as a valuable reminder of the vulnerability of cultural periods and how Camden has been resilient enough to withstand them. This has kept it an attractive spot for musicians and enthusiasts throughout various eras, starting from the inauguration of the Roundhouse as a music venue in 1966.

When a London borough claims to be trendy, it often leads to inflated house prices and artists struggling to afford to live there. New residents often complain about noise and younger musicians move on to different areas. However, Camden has managed to avoid this fate for many years. It has played a critical role in the development of various music genres, such as psychedelic rock, ska, and Britpop, and also helped to revive the sounds of Winehouse and Pete Doherty in the early 2000s. Despite its rough exterior, developers have not been able to take over the borough, making it an attractive destination for those looking for adventurous after-hours activities.

If you were to ask me which place I have been to with the most amazing shows, I would have one answer for you. Camden has been a host to a variety of music genres, from The Weeknd and Odd Future's early performances at Electric Ballroom to Donny McCaslin's post-Blackstar show at Jazz Cafe and Royal Trux's glory days at Dingwalls in the 90s. I have also been lucky enough to see numerous Prince performances throughout the years. Although I never saw Winehouse play there, I did catch a glimpse of her drinking. While not everyone may like Doherty now, it's ungracious to deny the excitement felt watching The Libertines and Babyshambles performed at the time.

Camden was like the perfect vintage band T-shirt for Winehouse as it had a strong connection to music history. She loved being there and was able to fit in easily due to her mix of jazz, hip-hop, and rock music. She could be found at any music venue, from the Jazz Cafe to the Roundhouse. In the movie, she can be seen hanging out at the Good Mixer, playing pool and drinking, as well as performing at the Dublin Castle. To those unfamiliar with the area, these spots might seem like ordinary London pubs, but for those in-the-know, they hold significant importance in Camden's musical history. For Winehouse, Camden was like a playground, with every note of the jukebox coming to life.

The Good Mixer gained its reputation for being the preferred spot for youthful musicians in the mid-90s. This was during the time where the term "Britpop" transformed from being a clever tactic used by magazine editors to connect burgeoning British bands to a globally recognizable movement.

Some people think that the importance of the Good Mixer has been exaggerated. Jane Savidge, who headed the public relations company that managed many top Britpop bands, stated in a book that it gained so much publicity because it was the location of choice for interviews with her artists. It might be true, but Camden's association with Britpop cannot be ignored. Food Records, Blur's record label, was also in the vicinity, and Blow-Up, a well-liked indie night at gay pub the Laurel Tree, was often attended by Graham Coxon and Jarvis Cocker. Musicians from this venue were also featured in the Amy Winehouse documentary.

The pub known as Dublin Castle is strongly connected with the genre of ska just as much as it is connected with Winehouse. Its most notable contribution lies in launching Madness, an unsigned band, when they started playing there every week in 1979. The unique style of the band attracted an audience that dressed like them, and eventually, this led them to sign a deal with Stiff Records. The venue played a crucial role in the band's career. Consequently, they requested for a Music Heritage plaque to be installed in order to remember their past and commemorate their achievements.

Amy Winehouse was more than just a visitor to Camden, as she helped to shape the scene there. While there were other popular venues like the Good Mixer or the Dublin Castle, the Hawley Arms was especially important to her. This was her local bar, and a sort of hub for up-and-coming alternative artists. The Hawley Arms drew people like Pete Doherty, as well as comedians like Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding from The Mighty Boosh. At the time, these comedians were being marketed as the "new rock'n'roll" and were even performing at famous rock venues, like the Brixton Academy. It's worth noting that many bars try to exaggerate their connections to famous people, but the Hawley Arms was a genuine hangout spot for Winehouse and her contemporaries.

When I first visited the Hawley Arms, I thought it was just like any other busy bar in London. But I was pleasantly surprised to see Amy Winehouse there with her friends, looking small but noticeable with her tattoos. She was left alone by people who didn't know her, which was nice. Back then, this was Camden – or at least the spirit of Camden. What made it special was that famous people who drank there didn't hide away in exclusive members-only clubs like they do in Soho. Instead, they mingled with their fans. However, there are concerns about the safety of this practice, because paparazzi would often follow Winehouse and her friend Doherty, especially when he was dating Kate Moss.

I talked about a lot of things that are very British, but American performers have also loved this area. Many of them even had their first show in the UK here. Although people suggested putting a statue of Winehouse at the Roundhouse, it was actually placed in the Stables Market nearby. The Roundhouse is famous for being where the Doors played their first show in front of a British audience in 1968. It's also where the Ramones had their first gig in London in 1976, which was a huge moment in punk music history.

When Prince decided to open a store in London in 1994, it wasn't surprising that he picked Camden instead of a more central location. Since his fans were already flocking to Camden Market to buy bootleg recordings of his music, it made sense for him to set up shop there and offer official releases. Perhaps his love for Camden inspired him to take notice of Amy Winehouse's music as well. He covered her songs during his performances at the Camden venue Koko and even convinced her to come and perform with him during his 21 Nights in London series.

When he came back in 2014 to perform a set of surprise concerts called "Hit and Run," most of them took place in Camden. He required a location where he could play until dawn without bothering locals and where his supporters could wait outside for hours without causing a disturbance. Camden had many music enthusiasts roaming around, making it the perfect spot.

Is it possible for this to carry on? While many parts of London no longer have many of their larger venues, in Camden they still remain. However, the smaller venues in this area appear to be disappearing, and Camden must ensure that it doesn't just become a place that focuses solely on rock and roll. A report that was released recently has stated that Camden's position in the UK cultural scene is at risk, as the local grassroots music venues - the places where the most thrilling and profound artistic endeavors happen - are closing down, leaving no opportunities for the next great Amy Winehouse to start her career.

People are complaining about loud noises, and they are more focused on improving their daily lives than having a good nightlife. The Roundhouse is not the place for overnight parties anymore, and the performances usually honor past decades. To keep the area attractive, it needs to maintain its reputation as a place for both future and past music.

A fresh version of Prince authored by Matt Thorne will be released by Faber on July 18th.