Camden Rocks Festival: Girls' Guide to Gigs, Venues, and Routes

Camden Rocks Festival: What You Actually Need to Know

Camden Rocks isn’t just another music festival. It’s the one where you can see a punk band in a pub basement, catch an indie pop act on a rooftop, and end the night dancing to a garage rock duo in a converted warehouse-all before midnight. And if you’re a girl heading there for the first time, you don’t want to get lost in the crowd or miss the best acts because you didn’t plan ahead. This isn’t a tourist brochure. This is what actually works when you’re out there, in the thick of it, with your friends, your boots, and your phone barely holding a charge.

Where the Real Music Happens (Not Just the Big Stages)

Camden Rocks has over 80 venues, but only a handful are worth your time. Skip the main stage if you’re after something raw. The real magic happens in places most guides ignore.

• The Barfly - This is where the underground bands play before they blow up. Check the lineup for bands like Wet Leg or Yungblud when they were still playing to 50 people. It’s tiny, it’s loud, and the crowd is right on top of you. Bring earplugs. Seriously.
• The Electric Ballroom - Bigger, but still intimate. This is where you’ll find the headliners. The floor is concrete, the sound is crisp, and the staff actually know how to handle crowds. If you’re going to see a big name here, get there early. Lines form before doors open.
• Camden Assembly - Less crowded than the Ballroom, better sound than the Barfly. Perfect for mid-tier acts. Bands like Arctic Monkeys played here in 2006. If you see a band you’ve only heard on Spotify, this is likely where they’ll be.
• Underworld - The basement venue with the best acoustics in Camden. No stage lights, no fancy screens. Just sweat, bass, and a crowd that knows every lyric. If you’re into post-punk or shoegaze, this is your spot.

Don’t waste time at the big sponsored tents. Those are for influencers and people who don’t actually care about the music.

How to Move Between Venues Without Getting Lost

Camden’s streets twist like a maze. If you’re walking between venues, you’ll need a strategy.

1. Start at Camden Lock. It’s the heart. All major routes fan out from here.
2. Use the Camden Market exit to get to The Barfly and Camden Assembly. It’s a straight 5-minute walk.
3. To hit The Electric Ballroom or Underworld, take the path behind the Lock, past the vintage shops. Don’t take the main road-it’s packed with tourists.
4. Keep your phone in your pocket. Use offline maps. Google Maps dies here. Download the Camden Rocks app-it has real-time venue maps and walking times between gigs.
5. Wear shoes you can walk in for hours. No heels. No new sneakers. You’ll regret it by 9 p.m.

Pro tip: If you’re heading to Underworld after a show at The Barfly, walk through the alley next to the pub. It’s faster, safer, and you’ll avoid the crowd bottleneck at the main crossing.

What to Wear (Yes, It Matters)

You’re not going to a fashion show. You’re going to a festival where the floor is wet, the air is thick with sweat, and someone’s going to spill a drink on you. Dress smart, not trendy.

• Dark jeans or durable leggings. No white. No denim skirts. You’ll be standing in puddles and brushing past strangers.
• Boots with grip. Not just any boots-ones with rubber soles. Camden’s pavements get slick when it rains, and it always rains.
• Layer up. The venues are cold inside. A hoodie under a jacket works. You can tie it around your waist if you get too hot.
• Leave the bag at home. A small crossbody purse with a zip is enough. Anything bigger gets stolen or caught in the crowd.
• Don’t wear your favorite top. You’ll get sweat on it. You’ll get beer on it. You’ll forget it’s even there by the end of the night.

And no, you don’t need to dress like a punk to fit in. Most people are just there for the music. Wear what makes you feel confident. That’s the real uniform.

How to Stay Safe (Without Being Paranoid)

Safety isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness.

• Always have at least one friend with you. Split up to check different stages? Fine. But set a meeting point every 90 minutes. Use the Camden Market fountain. It’s easy to spot.
• Keep your phone charged. Bring a portable power bank. You’ll need it for the app, for Uber, and for calling your friend when you’re lost.
• Know where the medical tents are. There are two: one near Camden Lock, one near the Electric Ballroom. They’re marked with green flags. Don’t wait until you feel dizzy to find them.
• If someone makes you uncomfortable, walk away. Don’t argue. Don’t explain. Just go. Tell a staff member. They’re trained for this. Look for people in red vests.
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers. Even if they seem nice. Bring your own water bottle. There are free water refill stations at every major venue.

Most people are friendly. But you don’t need to be nice to everyone. Your comfort comes first.

When to Go (And When to Skip)

Camden Rocks runs over three days. You don’t have to do it all.

• Friday - Best for newcomers. Smaller crowds. Easier to get into venues. Bands like Wet Leg and Arlo Parks often play early sets. Perfect for easing in.
• Saturday - The main day. Big names. Biggest crowds. If you’re going to see Idles or Fontaines D.C., this is your night. Get there by 4 p.m. if you want a good spot.
• Sunday - The hidden gem. Fewer people. More experimental acts. You’ll find local bands you’ve never heard of. Great if you want to chill out after a wild Friday and Saturday.

Pro tip: Skip the Sunday headliner if you’re tired. The real gems are the 3 p.m. sets in the smaller venues. That’s when the locals shine.

What You’ll Miss If You Don’t Plan

Most people think Camden Rocks is just about the big names. But the real value is in the surprises.

• The open mic night at The Dublin Castle on Sunday afternoon. You’ll hear a 17-year-old from Kent sing a song about her dad’s cancer. It’ll stop you in your tracks.
• The record stall behind the Lock. It’s run by a guy who’s been selling vinyl since 1992. He’ll hand you a rare post-punk single for £5 if you ask nicely.
• The art installation in the alley next to The Underworld. It’s a wall covered in handwritten lyrics from fans. You’ll find your favorite band’s song there.

These aren’t in the official schedule. You find them by wandering. By being curious. By not just chasing the headline acts.

Final Rule: Enjoy It

Camden Rocks isn’t about checking boxes. It’s not about taking the perfect photo for Instagram. It’s about the moment when you’re in a packed room, the lights go down, the first chord hits, and you realize you’re not just listening-you’re part of it.

Let yourself be surprised. Talk to someone next to you. Ask them what band they’re excited to see. You might end up finding your new favorite group.

And when the night ends, and you’re walking back to the tube, sore and tired and buzzing? That’s the point. That’s why you came.