The Astoria building started out as a Crosse and Blackwell pickling factory, but has since become one of London’s premier music venues. Over the last decade or so the venue has hosted some of the most famous acts in rock, including Nirvana, Black Sabbath and David Bowie. The venue was bought by the Mean Fiddler Company in 2000, and has since continued to provide a wide variety of live music events. It is also the home of the club G-A-Y, one of the largest and most famous gay clubs in the country.