When Charlie Raworth and Emma Hutchinson discovered Bush Hall in 2000, they recognised its huge potential, both for live music, and for Emma’s music education enterprise Music House for Children.

The ornate Carlton Dance Hall – as it was first known – is an attractive oasis on Shepherd’s Bush’s busy Uxbridge Road.

In 1904, a publisher called William F. Hurndall presented a gift in the form of a dance hall to each of his three daughters: Lillian, Eugenie and Olive. Of the three venues built around London, Bush Hall was undoubtedly his favourite since he also made his home at the top of the building.

The use of steel girders, a structural innovation at that time means that the modern Bush Hall is much the same as it was when it first opened, right down to the elegant plasterwork on walls and ceilings.

The hall's early years were filled with music and dance of all kinds including ballroom dancing, swing orchestras, musical reviews and ceilidhs.

During the war years, the Carlton Dance Hall became a grand soup kitchen, or ‘British restaurant’ as they were known in wartime, enabling locals to eat cheaply whilst saving their coupons.

The building survived bombing to be reincarnated in the 50s and 60s as a bingo hall and amusement arcade. Throughout this time, however, it maintained its musical tradition and was used as a rehearsal space by some of London's up-and-coming pop acts including Adam Faith, Cliff Richard, and The Who.

The 80s and 90s saw the hall as a haunt for snooker players and late-night drinkers, before being bought and renovated by Charlie and Emma.

Attracting a star studded billing, Bush Hall is gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting and diverse venues in London.

The programme at Bush Hall since 2001 has featured the following artists:

Amy Winehouse / Bat for Lashes / Boy George / Chris Rea / Corinne Bailey Rae / Damien Rice / James Morrison / Jamie T / José González / Kings Of Leon / Lily Allen / Madeleine Peyroux / The Mystery Jets / Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds / Nitin Sawhney / R.E.M / Ryan Adams / Scissor Sisters / Sufjan Stevens / The Sugababes / The Corrs / The Magic Numbers / Yann Tiersen

Classical recitals have included performances by Maggie Cole, Colin Curry, Matthew Barley and Darragh Morgan.

Testimonals

“Thank you for a wonderful, memorable evening.  Your staff are really superb and made our evening so easy.  Please thank them from us.  It was an absolute pleasure working with you, as you have been so efficient, professional and charming.  You run a great show!  We have had so many compliments from our friends about the wonderful venue.”
PRIVATE PARTY 2007

“I just wanted to say a big big thank you for everything last night. You and your staff were extremely helpful and accommodating and it went better than I imagined. All the other artists loved the room and were very excited to see it and I know many in the audience, who hadn’t heard of bush hall previously, will be back.”
LOUISE CAINS GIG – 2007

“I wanted to say thanks a lot on behalf of Baka Beyond and myself for the show last Thursday.
They said how lovely everyone at the venue was and also Su loved doing the workshop with the kids at the Music House. I hope that it was enjoyable for your staff too.”
BAKA BEYOND GIG – 2007
 
“Enormous thanks for all your efforts and patience. Our wedding was absolutely brilliant just what I had dreamed of and more. We are so grateful to you and all your staff for helping making it so.”
WEDDING RECEPTION - 2007
 
“We were all so pleased, having no experience of running an event like that, to be able to deal with people like you, who were helpful, friendly and efficient.”
PRIVATE PARTY – 2006
 
“I just wanted to thank you and your team for all of your hard work last Wednesday. The quiz night was great fun and everyone thought Bush Hall was fantastic.”
TACKLE AFRICA CHARITY NIGHT – 2005
 
“A word of acknowledgement and thanks for all your efforts last Sunday. We could not have wished for more co-operation or for a better venue.”
PRIVATE PARTY - 2004
 
“I came to Alanis Morisette gig last night – it was fabulous. The organisaton was fantastic and the atmosphere electric, basically because it was 100% clear to everyone who went that you and your team had worked really hard to make sure it would be.”
CUSTOMER - 2004