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Fears of chaos as Madonna plans album launch concert

Town Hall bosses says Madge’s Koko gig could lead to a traffic nightmare

MADONNA’S plans for a massive live gig in the heart of Camden Town has rankled council bosses who fear the concert could lead to traffic chaos at one of the borough’s busiest road junctions, the New Journal has learned.
While music fans in Camden are celebrating the fact that one of the world’s biggest pop stars has chosen Koko – the former Camden Palace in Camden High Street – to launch her new album, traffic chiefs are still searching for assurances that the event will not lead to problems.
Discussions over parking permits and road safety around the nightclub are ongoing and the Town Hall is still waiting for a formal application for special parking measures to be submitted by concert organisers.
Madonna is due to launch her album at Koko on November 15 – a huge coup for the venue – but the final details are still being hammered out. One source close to the negotiations said: “The people who live around the club are not going to be impressed if their streets are used for trucks full of equipment. The club is on a tight corner – it’s not like Leicester Square – you have to fit a lot of stuff into a relatively small space.”
Madonna last played at the venue in 1983 – her first ever London gig.
Details of her return had previously been kept fiercely under wraps while arrangements have been worked out behind-the-scenes.
Entrance to the rare appearance will be by invitation only and is bound to attract a celebrity guest-list. Competition winners and industry invitees will also be in attendance.
Koko bosses yesterday (Wednesday) angrily dismissed any suggestion that the gig could cause problems outside the venue.
When quizzed by a New Journal, a spokesman said: “We are talking to the council but it is going ahead. This is something you should be celebrating, somebody like Madonna playing in Camden Town.”
Camden Council last night (Wednesday) denied their officials had the power to pull the plug on the gig.
But a press official said: “Camden Council’s Film Office is currently assisting the organisers of an event scheduled at the Koko in mid-November. The event involves setting up a large amount of filming, lighting and broadcast equipment in and around the venue. The venue is located at an extremely busy junction near Camden High Street and we need to ensure that the equipment is set up and delivered and it does not dangerously obstruct traffic and bus services.”
He added: “The council has not yet received a formal application from the organisers about parking arrangements. Once a practical plan is agreed, the council will process their application. The council’s Film Office is also considering other issues surrounding the event besides parking and we are discussing those with the organisers.”

Fans welcome Madge

MADONNA’S decision to return to Camden Town has been cheered by music fans who say that the choice of venue for her exclusive album launch gig proves the area is still the best for live music.
The star’s concert at Koko next month promises to be the biggest music event in the area for years and will recall memories of when the nightclub hosted some of pop and rock’s top names.
Ashley Bird, editor of the website londonrockdaily.com and former editor of rock bible Kerrang, who also DJs regularly at the Camden Tup, said: “There has been a massive resurgence of Koko – it’s not long ago that it was completely off the map and the owners have done a brilliant job to get it so well recognised so quickly.”
Other music venues have welcomed the booking coup.
Margaret Gibson, director of the Electric Ballroom, said: “This puts the highlight on Camden – it’s good to see that Camden’s reputation for live music is coming back.”



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