The new documentary series Camden explores the influence of the famed London borough on music. In the first episode, Dua Lipa describes how Camden’s cultural diversity and affordable rents encouraged artists to experiment with different sounds and identities. The series devotes an episode each to pop, rebellion, pioneers, and partying. While entertaining and reverential, Camden is occasionally scattered and lacks focus, condensing the musical history of the area into roughly four hours. While the series includes artists like Coldplay, The Libertines, and Public Enemy, some interviewees feel unnaturally constrained by the format.
Camden presents the borough as a cultural melting pot that encouraged music to mix with other forms of expression. From indie citadel The Dublin Castle, which played a huge role in the rise of Madness and the punk and ska scenes of the 1970s and 80s, to free warehouse parties organized by pioneers like Norman Jay, Camden has always encouraged experimentation. American hip-hop legends Public Enemy and The Roots famously relocated to Camden to escape the racial expectations placed on Black artists. The final episode focuses on the hedonistic party culture of Camden in the 1990s.
Despite its flaws, Camden offers a valuable reminder of the importance of independent grassroots venues in nurturing musical talent. Coldplay’s Chris Martin remembers how they played in six pubs in the area in their early days, while Little Simz praises the free development schemes offered locally. However, Camden‘s newfound fame as the subject of a Disney+ documentary leaves some wondering if the borough’s non-conformist edge might be in danger of being co-opted into a sanitized rock ‘n’ roll theme park. Ultimately, the question is whether Camden’s unique musical legacy can survive as the area changes and evolves
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