The Picket

The Story

This space was born in 1983 within the Centre for the Unemployed and Trade Unions, on Hardman Street, founded by musician Phil Hayes. The Picket became a hub for budding bands looking for studio time and a stage to rehearse live performances. It was there that Lee Mavers honed the sound of The La's and recorded the first demos that would lead to a record deal and their debut album in 1990, featuring the classic "There She Goes." The original venue closed in 2004, but a popular campaign to save the space resulted in its reopening in 2006 on Jordan Street as The Picket Warehouse. This second location is also no longer active.

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