HMV Goes Live

The Astoria and Metro are dead, but long live the HMV Apollo. HMV are buying 50% of the Hammersmith venue, and others, in a deal worth around £20m. The Apollo will experience yet another branding-based name change (previously Carling/Labatt's) to “HMV”, as will the Forum (and we'd only just got used to the loss of 'Kentish Town' from its name). The Borderline, Garage, Jazz Cafe, Heaven and the G-A-Y Bar and Late are also included. One bonus: we'll be able to buy tickets from HMV shops, hopefully minus extortionate booking fees. (Image / Ewan-M)