Dua Lipa and the music documentary "Camden": Neighborhood as legend and eternal circus
When traveling to London, one inevitably finds themselves in Camden sooner or later. Whether it's for a few pints, exploring the market, or attending the next concert, Camden holds a special charm. In a new documentary, megastars like Dua Lipa, Chris Martin, and Noel Gallagher share what makes this district so magical. It immediately ignites the desire to revisit this vibrant place.
"I've always dreamt of a place like this," reflects Nile Rodgers towards the end of "Camden". "A place where everyone is cool." As he speaks, a dreamy smile plays on his lips. And anyone who has followed the four-part documentary up to this point will undoubtedly share his sentiment. Smiling, reminiscing, taking a deep breath – and with the next few clicks on the computer, finding themselves booking a flight with British Airways, browsing AirBnB, or checking out a London website for concert recommendations. When was the last time one was in Camden? And how can one quickly find their way back?
The allure of hipness, eternal underground ambiance, counterculture – that's precisely what this production, spearheaded by superstar Dua Lipa, aims to delve into. What makes this place consistently cool across all eras?
Established in 1791 as part of Kentish Town and St. Pancras, Camden is now home to around 25,000 residents. Named after Charles Pratt, the first Earl Camden, the district was considered unremarkable until the mid-1950s. However, the 1960s and 70s saw a transformation with the rise of Camden Markets attracting visitors. The iconic venue "The Roadhouse" opened its doors, hosting performances by bands like Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones. Subsequently, shows by the Ramones, Sex Pistols, and The Clash, who rehearsed nearby, stirred up excitement. Record stores flourished, bands found affordable spaces – and thus, a snowball effect began, leaving its mark till today.
Dua Lipa rallies numerous superstars for "Camden"
To truly grasp the influence of this area and its impact on both visitors and its illustrious residents, firsthand accounts are essential. This is why Dua Lipa has gathered a host of superstars to share their deeply personal experiences and formative moments in Camden.
One such personality is Questlove, the charismatic drummer of The Roots. Initially a somewhat arrogant newcomer, he was drawn to London. Yet, on arrival, he realized he "knew nothing about anything." Ahmir Khalib Thompson, Questlove's real name, donned a small hat, immersed himself in learning, and ended up staying for five years before returning to the USA as a star. His foundation – the musical education he received in Camden, the Jazz scene, the legendary Jazz Café, and the neighborhood's ever-evolving, ingenious, and captivating sounds.
Chris Martin recalls the early Coldplay shows with modest attendance
In addition to Questlove, other personalities like Little Simz and, of course, Dua Lipa – a Camden native herself – share their stories. Carl Barât and Pete Doherty, with glasses of Guinness in front of them, reminisce about the early days of The Libertines. Sister Bliss from Faithless and Soul II Soul's Jazzie B also contribute.
Chris Martin smiles as he recounts the modestly attended Coldplay shows from the days when they were unknown. Noel Gallagher succinctly captures what Oscar Wilde once meant with his quote "Youth is wasted on the young." In other words, what do you do as an adolescent? "Drink beer all night and talk nonsense," says Gallagher, grinning.
The scene from "Camden": Chris Martin gazes into the camera
While Gallagher's sentiment may ring true, Camden offers more than just revelry. Because despite the drinking culture, the booze-soaked beaches may not hold much musical distinction. Camden boasts not only the iconic "Roundhouse," but also the "Camden Barfly" where bands like Blur and Oasis performed their early gigs. In the legendary "The Dublin Castle," Madness once had Ska fans dancing in the back room, Coldplay debuted without a bass drum, stirring excitement, and eventually acts like the Arctic Monkeys and Amy Winehouse left the audience at the neighborhood festival "Camden Crawl" in sheer awe. "Koko," "Camden Ballroom," "Dingwalls" – all sacred ground in the club and concert history of the Thames metropolis.
Nostalgia of beer-fueled nights and lived pop history
"Camden" transforms into an eclectic mix where everything finds its place – a blend of beer-soaked nostalgia and lived pop history, cultural retrospective and stylistic classification, all experienced and narrated firsthand. The four episodes unfold in chronological chaos at times. While the delayed appearance of scene pioneers like Boy George or Rusty Egan in the final part may seem slightly discordant, it ultimately doesn't matter.
What truly counts is the euphoric piece of pop history laid out here – the clubs and concerts, the movers and shakers, then, now, tomorrow, and beyond. Is it a place where everyone is truly cool? Perhaps. An iconic district that remains irresistibly alluring despite the tourist influx and gentrification issues? Definitely. "Camden" vividly illustrates this in a highly entertaining manner.