Enemy, Ash praise closing Astoria

The Enemy and Ash have spoken out about the closure of the London Astoria.

Both bands have performed residencies at the popular Tottenham Court Road venue, which is shutting on Thursday, January 15.

Famous acts to perform at the Astoria include Nirvana, The Strokes, The Rolling Stones and Radiohead.

"It's one of my favourite venues ever," The Enemy's Tom Clarke told NME. "It's got the most stinking toilets in the world, but it's just f**king amazing."

Ash singer Tim Wheeler, whose band renamed the venue the 'Ashtoria' for five gigs in 1996, added: "Nowhere else has that Astoria magic. The security loved catching crowdsurfers - it was an amazing atmosphere."

The last event in the Astoria's main room is being organised by Get.Cape.Wear Cape. Fly's Sam Duckworth. Acts including The Automatic, My Vitriol and ex-Mansun singer Paul Draper will perform at the show on January 14.