Choose the right shoes!!
Jon - verified purchaser
Yes I recommend this product6/26/2024
There's a small point to get out of the way here so I'll do that first, then we'll get onto 'the good stuff'! The meeting instructions aren't great! 'Tottenham Court Road Station, Exit 3' - the station exits aren't visibly numbered where we got off our train! If you're going to use a reference like that, use one that is conspicuous and which everyone (from outside London!) will readily see when they're INSIDE the station! We came off the Elizabeth Line which we now know isn't actually in the main station. It would have helped to include that detail too. The Google Street View image which was provided saved us but it took some working out. In 2024, a WhatThreeWords reference would have bene far simpler and would saved some hunting around. These are the ONLY reasons I can't give this five stars. Onwards... The weather was kind. Not too bright or hot but certainly not cold and wet. I know this can't be controlled but bear it in mind when booking because bad weather will ruin your experience. Michael - our guide and host - fantastic!! No, really - an absolutely great guy and totally in the right job! Interesting, funny but at the same time, subtly 'aware', observant and did a great job of keeping the group together while remaining superbly informative and entertaining at the same time. The tour is full of surprises! Even for someone who has visited London quite a number of times now, it was amazing to discover how many places - SO significant in British music history - are either just 'tucked away' or even 'hidden in plain sight'! Sometimes all you have to do is look higher than your normal eye line and revelations abound. Fortunately - as mentioned above - Michael is damned good at his job and pointed out a number of things/places where most of us would be familiar with the resultant 'product' but to be standing right next to 'where it happened' puts quite a different context on things. It's an energetic event - make no mistake - hence the title of this review. You'll cover a lot of ground - sometimes quite quickly (mainly to maximise 'talk time' at the next point of interest) so DO consider this and prepare accordingly! As Michael will explain, today's Soho is a VERY different place from that of the early 1960's but the references to those early days remain and for someone of my age and background, it was quite something to stand outside what had been Trident Studios - in the middle of an area where Marc Bolan had 'recruited' Rick Wakeman to play piano on 'Get It On' and the 2I's coffee bar where what was to become The Shadows was formed and where Hank Marvin and Ian Samwell invented the Hand Jive. We even included a brief 'excursion' into the '90's with a gloriously (!) detailed explanation of how the cover of the Oasis album 'What's the Story...' was shot - right where we were standing! If you're a British Music 'anorak', this tour really is for you. Get the right shoes on and go do it!!
When did your experience take place? 18 May 2024
What was the name of the venue where your experience took place? Brit Music Tours (London Rock Tour)