It opened as a Crosse & Blackwell pickle factory and has been a music hall and a theatre. It is now exclusively a music venue with a capacity of 2,000. The Astoria is connected to the Mean Fiddler such that the two venues can function as a single venue where needed. By far its busiest nights are the G-A-Y promotions. It has played host to many up-and-coming bands, such as Radiohead's performance for MTV in 1994, and world famous bands wishing to play low-profile shows, including The Rolling Stones in 2003, and Oasis's first performance of their 2005 tour. Blur also played a five-night residency in 2003. The venue plays host to the popular nightclub G-A-Y, which sees many celebrities visit and perform music for the assembled crowd.
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