Restoration & Launch
Launch Festival - 21st – 26th Sep

A North London landmark is about to rise from the ashes….

Following a multi-million pound make-over, the legendary Camden Palace is to be relaunched as KOKO, with a free
week-long music festival for over 10,000 people in September, it was announced today (21st July) by the Mint Group.
A six-night statement of intent, the festival is a sparkling showcase of the diverse and exciting nights to be expected at
London's most exciting new venue – a host of A-list artists ranging from the likes of Groove Armada to exciting live acts
brought to you by Club NME and the smooth grooves of Kitsch Lounge Riot all rounded off with a sexy salsa carnival
(full details to be announced in late July/August).
KOKO FESTIVAL
• 21st – 26th September
• 1A Camden High St, Camden, London, NW1 7JE - Nearest tube station: Camden Town / Mornington Crescent
• To apply for tickets go to www.koko.uk.com (available from 14th August)
Tuesday
Introducing…
Ramshackle @ KOKO
Wednesday
Introducing…
Club NME @ KOKO
Thursday
Introducing…
Groove Armada @ KOKO
Friday
Introducing…
Kitsch Lounge Riot @ KOKO
Saturday
Introducing…
TBA @ KOKO
Sunday
Introducing…
KOKO Latino
The festival will be the culmination of a six month, multi-million pound refurbishment programme by the Mint Group - the specialist nightclub operators who invested in the old Camden Palace in March - and the name behind Infernos and The Clapham Weekender (Lovebox on Clapham Common; Latin Splash; The Common Ground Festival).
"The aim of the refurbishment is to return the old Camden Palace to its former glory", comments Eddie Hill, Marketing Director, Mint Group. "While few people who witnessed the pitiful state of Camden Palace over the past decade would believe it, the building was a first class venue with an incredible heritage that had simply fallen into disrepair.
"The festival demonstrates we intend to host a regular programme of events to do justice to this heritage. Everyone from Chaplin to The Goons; from the Sex Pistols to Madonna has played here - and we intend to add to this considerably.
"In short, KOKO will give Londoners a central live music venue that befits the capital – classy yet unpretentious / up market but without attitude; large yet unimposing; smart yet not overpriced; diverse but not eccentric. In short, we want to create a venue for Londoners to see great music - not a place for people to go to just to be seen.
"It sounds simple, but we believe this will be a ground-breaking new live entertainment venue for London... and, of
course, we're inviting everyone to come and have a look: for anyone wanting to apply for free tickets, go to
www.koko.uk.com to fill out the form... " (available from 14th August)


HISTORY
KOKO began life as a Victorian theatre back in the late 1800s. Then known as Palace Theatre, it acted as a stepping stone for the likes of Charlie Chaplin – remaining a popular venue until the late 1940’s when it was transformed into a radio studio, with the BBC using it as the home for the Goon Show throughout the 1950’s.
After a brief spell as a cinema in the 60’s, the building was reincarnated as a music venue and as The Music Machine, enjoyed notoriety in the 1970’s by providing a platform for many of the first-wave punk bands such as The Sex Pistols and The Clash. Subsequently bought by Steve Strange and Rusty Egan of Visage in 1983, The Camden Palace was born – the venue holding court to the leading figures on the New Romantic scene and in the process hosting the earliest gigs of the Eurythmics and the first UK performance a rising star named Madonna.
Moving with the times Camden Palace entertained the rave generation – the scene to a series of long running early house and trance nights – all the while falling into an increasingly pitious state of disrepair until its closure in February 2004.
The Clash Live at Music Machine – July 1978 Madonna Live at Camden Palace – June 1983 Stage area being refurbished – June 2004 Artists impression of new KOKO interior

RESTORATION PROJECT
The six month multi-million pound restoration project, overseen by renovation experts Red House Design, has been
planned according to a singular brief – to create a 21st century entertainment venue from the ruins of a beautiful 19th century building that had fallen into disrepair – and in doing so, restore one of North London’s historic venues to its former glory.
The majority of the work is centered around three main areas: Firstly to repair the damage inflicted on the venue over the past two decades; secondly to remove all the outdated 80’s industrial / metallic features cluttered around the venue and restoring the palace to its original theatrical style; and finally to replace the cream colour scheme with a warmer and richer deep red and palatial purple-orientated scheme.

THE RESULT
Come September, the all-new KOKO will represent a versatile, 21st century, state-of-the-art venue, adaptable for use as anything – from small intimate comedy to international awards; from intimate gigs to 1,500 capacity headline rock concerts; from stylish cabaret evenings to thumping club nights.

THE GROUND FLOOR
A sweeping, tiered dance floor leading up to the main stage, surrounded by 3 main bars. As well as the main dance
floor, this multifunctional area can be used for intimate gigs and cabaret events, as well as corporate dining – adaptable enough to ensure that even a crowd of 200 people could create the appearance and vibe of a busy environment.

THE UPPER LEVELS…
The ultimate scaleable option for party organisers and event managers. The first and the upper circles will provide
additional add-on areas for VIP’s, special guests and private parties to enjoy the entertainment in luxurious and secluded areas.

THE FIRST CIRCLE
The first circle offers the perfect self contained VIP area – with xxx bars and xxx is the perfect add-on to any event. The design incorporates 8 individual areas featuring clear stage views and can be hired as the ideal gallery and exhibition space ranging in size from 25-250 guests.

THE UPPER CIRCLE
Invisible to the lower levels unless illuminated, the upper circle serves as yet another individual add-on for approximately 200 people. With a separate sound system, revelers can be entertained in their own acoustic bubble.

BACKEND / STAGE / BACK STAGE
The entire stage and backstage reflects the design quality found throughout the venue. The performance area will
include a cutting edge JBL sound system and state of the art lighting with perfect site lines from each level. The
notorious Camden Palace backstage has also been transformed into what the designers believe will be the best
greenroom in London, with a luxury bathroom suite, bar, dressing room and plasma screen with DVD entertainment allincorporated.

KOKO’S REGULAR NIGHTS
The entertainment programme has been created to take full advantage of Koko’s potential to become central London’s biggest music venue. Spread over five regular nights the entertainment on offer will cater for all tastes – ranging from intimate indie gigs to full scale rock concerts; from romantic / mellow jazz to stomping club nights.

TITLE TUESDAY NIGHT @ KOKO
HOSTED BY RAMSHACKLE – the UK’s leading alternative club night
FEATURING **TO BE ANNOUNCED**
STYLE The young and trendy indie night will play a range of alternative and fresh yet familiar sounds to a
devoted, cool, urban crowd on a weekly basis.
TITLE WEDNESDAY NIGHT @ KOKO
HOSTED BY CLUB NME - NME music group
FEATURING **TO BE ANNOUNCED**
STYLE Highly anticipated by avid music fans and the music industry alike, NME will be bringing a series of
varied weekly ensembles featuring an explosion of contemporary music and spectacular events.
With acts varying from unsigned showcase bands to prominent artists, as well as new album
launches and one-off prodigious parties, KOKO is set to be one of the most attractive and
comfortable places to watch live music.
TITLE THURSDAY NIGHT @ KOKO
THEME INDUSTRY NIGHT
Wednesdays will be devoted to corporate entertainment and events, taking advantage of the venue’s
convenient location just five minutes from the City or the West End and a stones throw from Kings
Cross and Euston.
This combined with the extensive facilities make it THE optimum site for anything from awards
ceremonies and product launches to corporate dinners, receptions and galas.
TITLE FRIDAY NIGHT @ KOKO
HOSTED BY KITSCH LOUNGE RIOT
FEATURING **TO BE ANNOUNCED**
STYLE The essential attendance for the coolest crowd. Already a favourite London club night, KLR is the
definitive live music extravaganza; crowds can expect to be wooed by a range of smooth vocal
talent, hot DJ mastery, slick tunes and stylish performers, creating a unique and unforgettable night
out.
TITLE SATURDAY NIGHT @ KOKO
HOSTED BY KOKO
FEATURING ** TO BE ANNOUNCED**
STYLE Saturday Nights will be geared towards a lively gathering of local trendies and fashionable partygoers;
this will be a DJ led celebration of contemporary favourites, classic hits, and funky anthems
which is sure to become a definite must on the London social circuit.

KOKO
1A Camden High St,
Camden, London,
NW1 7JE

Opening: 21st September 2004
Tube: Camden Town
Mornington Crescent

WWW.KOKO.CO.UK