Main content

The churches of North London and music venues of Soho which are close to Tracey Thorn's heart

In the last episode of this series of A Long Walk With..., Janice Long visited some important places for Tracey Thorn in North London and heard about the family history, which has featured in her solo work, around Gospel Oak and St.Martin's Church.

They also walked the streets around Hampstead, Camden, Islington, Soho and The Strand, by the River Thames in London, remembering early performances and the gigs Tracey attended.

Here are some highlights and extra interview material, that we couldn't fit into the show, plus photos of some of the key places.

You can hear A Long Walk With... every Thursday at 9pm on BBC Radio 2, or listen on the Radio 2 website or the BBC iPlayer Radio app.

Tracey Thorn and Janice Long opposite The Lyceum Theatre on The Strand.
Tracey had researched St. Martin's Church, Gospel Oak for her solo work and knew that her parents and grandparents were married there, but she went inside for the first time with Janice.

Who called St Martins, Gospel Oak "the craziest of Victorian churches"?

In this extra clip Janice and Tracey Thorn admire the place that hosted family weddings

Tracey told Janice about lots of venues she used to visit, including the Roundhouse.
Tracey spoke to Janice inside The Railway Tavern on Broadhurst Gardens, next to the Decca Studios where The Beatles failed their demo and David Bowie, The Moody Blues and The Zombies recorded. This was the venue where Tracey's first band The Marine Girls made their live debut. The upstairs function room where they performed was originally called Klooks Kleek when it hosted Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, then in the late 70s and 80s it became The Moonlight Club and U2 and Joy Division played there on their first visits to the capital.

It was hugely important for Tracey Thorn to have a "gig buddy"

In this extra clip, Tracey remembers a good friend who helped her musical education

One of Tracey's favourite venues, which she visited a lot with her gig buddy.
As The Lyceum on The Strand Tracey was often in the audience for gigs and also performed at this London Theatre.
Tracey told Janice why she loves the atmosphere inside the world famous Soho Jazz Club Ronnie Scotts and remembered a memorable encounter with Paul Weller there.

Tracey Thorn - How Not To Be A Rock Star

Tracey admits to not knowing how guitar amps worked or when a soundcheck happened