Dave Stewart has been talking about the new Marquee club which he is backing. The club reopened last night in its new Islington home, six years after its most recent home in Charring Cross Road closed.
He told digital station BBC6 Music of his memories of the Marquee of old: “You went down this kind of corridor, turned left and there was a stage - it was just about live music, that was it. It was all about the excitement of who was playing there. There was just a little sign above the door saying 'Marquee', and we've got a little sign above the door as well now." Talking about the new venue he said: "It's not flash, it's just for music, really. I hope it's one of those places where bands will form and friendships will be made."
The Marquee is best known as the place major names in music first gigged, or tried out new material, with Bowie and Rolling Stones among the venue's Hall of Fame. Primal Scream opened the new venue last night, Jimmy Cliff, UK Subs and Joe Jackson lined up to play future nights at the Marquee. Stewart has said he will be asking the Rolling Stones to come back and play the new venue "with Bill Wyman back on bass".