Luke Hinton, promoter of The Horn in St Albans, believes the grassroots music venue has played a pivotal role in shaping future music stars, calling it essential for cultivating the next generation of Glastonbury headliners.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, The Horn has hosted some of the biggest names in music, including U2, Tom Grennan, Chrissie Hynde, Years & Years, Yungblud, and Kim Wilde, who once worked behind the bar.
With a rich history of supporting local talent like Paul Young, Enter Shikari, and Friendly Fires, Hinton emphasized the venue’s role as a training ground for musicians and industry professionals.
“It’s where artists learn their craft and discover what they do,” Hinton said, highlighting the venue’s consistent six-night-a-week live music schedule.
The venue, which holds 200 people, has also hosted international acts early in their careers, from U2 in the late ’70s to more recent acts like Bastille and Motorhead.
Hinton believes places like The Horn are essential for the music industry, acting as “the research and development sector” that nurtures artists and sound engineers alike.
The celebrations marking the venue’s milestone will feature alternative covers band Allergy on Saturday evening, and Hinton hopes a book chronicling The Horn’s history will be published next year, inviting fans and former performers to share their memories and photos.
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