Television rating|In a four-part documentary series, North London’s Camden is remembered by artists and bands who lived and played in the area.
North London located in Camden Town is known not only for its street markets but also as a bohemian district that attracts all kinds of subcultures and clubbers. We go there when we want to experience something “authentic” and “real”.
Over the decades, Camden’s pubs and gig venues have been visited by countless bands and artists dreaming of success, some of whom have managed to make their dreams come true. It is also a point of view in a recent documentary series Camden (2024). The four-part series can be viewed on the Disney + streaming service.
The documentary series has been directed by Asif Kapadiawho has previously directed documentaries From Ayrton Senna (2010), About Amy Winehouse (2015) and About Diego Maradona (2019). The “face” of the series and one of the corresponding producers is a British pop star Dua Lipawhich is a younger generation of Camdenites.
The camera a big-name list of former residents and other hustlers has been brought to the fore: in addition to Lipa, the voice includes, among others Chris Martin, Noel Gallagher, Questlove and Yungblud. Their memories of the beginning of their careers, the moments before the breakthrough, are the salt of the series.
Camden left its mark on the careers of everyone appearing in the series in one way or another, but you could just as well say that certain artists marked Camden.
For example, at the turn of the millennium, The Libertines, who were already known for their hazy mood, were popular in Camden. On the other hand, on the small stage of the traditional The Dublin Castle, Coldplay threw their first gig under that name. It was also special at the gig that the drummer used the floor as a bass drum, because the other band that was responsible for bringing the drum set had made the oharis.
The same pub featured many other stars who tried to become famous, such as Amy Winehouse, who could press her own license behind the counter to get a drink. The American The Roots, who settled in Camden on the stage of the Jazz Cafe, which was inclined towards rhythm music, were looking for self-confidence and a new audience.
Stories for their part, they build the same Camden myth that the whole series shapes. As entertaining as the reminiscence is in places, the series does not get very deep into the Camdenness or the “spirit” of the region. Everyone agrees that the place is special, but its more precise difference from other bohemian quarters in big cities cannot be explained.
Personally, I would also like a little more thorough retracing of history, because the emphasis is now clearly on the last couple of decades. There are surprisingly few, if any, punks – veterans or younger – even though Camden’s The Roundhouse venue played a significant role in the early years of punk.
Half of the series is dedicated to rock ringing. The third part features more rhythmic music by The Roots and legendary DJ by Gilles Peterson under. The fourth part, on the other hand, creates more of the region’s club culture and fashion trends.
Camden, Disney+.
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