After attending the Brixton Academy, prolong the buzz of live music at Jamm. It may not be glamorous but it does offer great music and sweaty dancing into the wee hours.

The Venue
Jamm will be a familiar venue to fans of the Brixton Academy. Renowned for throwing crazy after parties for the cream of the music scene, it’s a short 15 minute walk from Brixton station. Keep your peepers out, though, it’s easy to miss. From the outside, amidst the area’s residential surroundings, Jamm looks more like a student doss pit than an official party venue. Through the garden gate entrance, cigarette butts adorn the patio out front, and through the peeling French doors the view isn’t a great deal better.

With room to accommodate around 600 music fans, the space is spread across two rooms. The initial area when you enter is a fairly large space with a modest bar against the wall and squishy sofas at the back. Dark red walls, low lighting and a funky smell fortify the feeling of a student bar. The DJ booth can be found by the front bay window, with a reasonably sized dance floor.

The space in the rear room, behind the bar, is much larger with a better vibe. An elevated stage for performers sits at the far end, and this open space feels much more like the venue Jamm wants to be. Large, bulbous pipes snake across the ceiling with exposed air con vents giving this room an industrialised warehouse feel. The smoking patio at the front of the venue becomes a hive of activity once the night gets underway as the party atmosphere inside overflows through the front door, and it’s also a great space to cool down whilst enjoying a spot of smirting.

The Atmosphere
As soon as you enter Jamm, it’s clear that the revellers are here for one thing only – great music. And with great music comes a great atmosphere. The crowd is a curious mix of indie kids, old punks, boisterous DnB fans and even a couple of pensioners who seem to have wandered in on their way home from Tescos. The universal mood is jovial, and as the beats pump away you won’t find a nicer, more enthusiastic crowd to enjoy them with.

The bar staff are quick and despite how many shuffling revellers wobble their way towards the bar, you won’t have to wait long. In fact, you probably won’t find a stationary foot in the place. Basement Jaxx, Hot Chip, Shane McGowan and even Punk gods The Clash are just a taster of the talent that have played this club over the last five years. In fact, nearly 3,000 artists have graced its sticky floors, so in spite of appearances, this is a venue that has no trouble attracting big names and big crowds. Whether your scene is dub, hip hop, future beats, reggae, electro or DnB, you will be hard pressed not to enjoy the atmosphere as the DJs unleash beat after beat upon the captivated crowd. This is the place for good music.

The Drink
With not a cocktail in sight, the bar offers a no-frills selection to quench the thirst of the masses. However, with no-frills comes decent prices, so grab a pint of Strongbow, Carling, Stella and San Miguel for £3.50 or go for a bottled beer. Spirits are reasonably priced at £3.90 and drink offers are always available. The Jaeger shots for £4 are one way to fuel you until the 6am closing time.

The Last Word
With or without its grimy charm, this club has firmly established itself as a must-visit for live music lovers. Graduating from the sweaty mosh pit and electrifying scenes of the nearby Academy to the sticky floors and funky beats of Jamm, it’s the cherry on the top of your musical sundae.

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