Outernet Live name two new Central London music venues

31 May 2022 - Press release

HERE at Outernet, the new live events venue, the first to be built in Central London since the 1940’s, alongside The Lower Third, the former 12 Bar on Denmark Street, reveal their programming team ahead of official opening this Summer.

Leo Green, Concert Promoter, Musician & Broadcaster, joins HERE at Outernet as Artistic Director. Leo was previously Director of Live Events at Live Nation, as well as a touring and recording saxophonist, most notably with Van Morrison. He has also worked at London venues, The O2 and Ronnie Scott’s, founded BluesFest in 2011 and presented on BBC Radio 2 and 6Music. As Artistic Director at HERE, Leo will oversee all of the venue’s programming across music, arts, theatre and culture. 

Leo says of the new position -

“When this opportunity came along, it was simply too good to turn down. From a venue standpoint, this is the most exciting development that has happened to London’s Music, Arts & Culture scene in a very long time.The team at Outernet Live, that Robert, Karrie & Tristan have put together is tremendously exciting and I can’t wait to welcome all of the UK’s incredible Promoters, to both of our venues”.

Chloe Mitchell, Programming Manager at Outernet Live, comes from her latest role as Head of Music for the Flat Iron Square district, following the management of the launch of Omeara in 2016. Chloe has launched some of London’s best new venues in recent years, with Omeara playing host to the first headline shows from Jorja Smith, Dermot Kennedy, Yxng Bane and Celeste, whilst also becoming the home of club favourites, Little Gay Brother and No Merci.

To complete the programming team, HERE at Outernet appoint Electronic Music Directors, Nicolas Matar and Simon Denby. 

Nicolas’ career began as a DJ at Pacha, Ibiza, going on to own two nightclubs in New York - what would become one of the most legendary dance music clubs in the world, Cielo and the award-winning Output in Brooklyn. Nicolas went on to work with Ian Schrager of Studio 54 fame on launching clubs at The Miami Beach EDITION, The Times Square EDITION and, most recently, The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel. 

Nicolas - “I’m elated to be part of a new London venue.  As someone who was involved in the London scene since the early ‘90s, it feels like I’m coming home.”

Simon Denby is the co-owner and booker for UK underground dance music promoter Percolate & co-founder of London festivals Waterworks and Body Movements. He has curated events with the likes of Floating Points, Hunee, Midland, The Blessed Madonna, Horse Meat Disco & Bicep to US legends like Honey Dijon, Moodymann & Kerri Chandler alongside breakthrough acts TSHA, Prospa, Yung Singh, Eris Drew & India Jordan. With over 12 years of industry experience, crossing between intimate club shows and larger concert venues and festivals, Simon will lead on the electronic and club program for the venues.

Simon - "I am really excited to be part of a cutting-edge venue in the heart of the city, that will bring dance music back to Central London after the loss of groundbreaking spaces like the End and the legendary Astoria. The vision at OUTERNET LIVE with HERE and The Lower Third is going to fill much-needed gaps for live and club shows both for developing the next generation of artists and top tier talent."

The news of the programming team follows the announcement of Karrie Goldberg and Robert Butters as Operating Partners of the venues, with a combined experience of over 50 years in the industry across live music venues, award-winning nightclubs and global touring theatre shows. They are joined by Tristan Hoffman as COO, having most recently worked on the launch of Lafayette in King’s Cross, with over 18 years’ experience in venue management. 

Karrie says of the team -

“We are thrilled to be joined by this epic team of experts to launch these groundbreaking new venues this summer. We are proud to be a completely independent venue space, open to all promoters and live entertainment operators and we look forward to showing you what the programming team have been busy working on in the coming months”

The two entertainment spaces - HERE, which is up to 2000 capacity and The Lower Third - will play host to a diverse entertainment program: live music, dance, comedy, immersive theatre, awards shows and beyond.  

Being situated on Denmark Street - synonymous with the music industry - where Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols and David Bowie all frequented, the Outernet space, while thoroughly modern, is proud to be driving the revitalisation of this area of London, bringing back live music and celebrating the musical lineage and heritage of what will, once again, be a mecca for music lovers and performers.