Tube map celebrates grassroots music scene

The Grassroots Music Tube map features lines turned into electric cables and named after songs

London's distinctive Tube map has been reimagined to celebrate the capital's grassroots music scene as part of a new campaign.

Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) have joined with music industry and media leaders to launch London Creates.

The capital-wide initiative aims to shine a spotlight on the capital's 179 venues, which helped launch the careers of stars such as Chappell Roan, Coldplay, Charli XCX and Noah Kahan, City Hall said.

The special edition Grassroots Tube Map, created by TfL, features lines turned into electric cables and named after songs, albums, artists, record labels, venues and genres.

Transport for London has reimagined the Tube map with a musical spin

Sir Sadiq said: "London's grassroots music scene is renowned around the world.

"From providing opportunities for talented aspiring artists to develop their trade, to giving Londoners a great night out, our venues are an essential part of our life at night and provide a huge boost to our economy.

"However, they have faced huge challenges in recent years, which is why we're joining with partners across the capital to champion all parts of London's grassroots music scene.

"This special edition Tube map is a great way to highlight what a huge impact the scene has on our capital, as we continue to do all we can to support venues and build a more prosperous London for everyone."

Charli XCX performed in a number of east London clubs

In the last year, London's grassroot music venues have welcomed more than 4.2 million people, held performances by more than 328,000 artists, employed almost 7,000 people and contributed £313m to the economy, City Hall said.

Seven of the top 10 biggest selling albums from last year were from artists who made their name and built their fanbase in the capital's venues.

This includes Chappell Roan, who performed at the Garage, Charli XCX, who performed in a number of east London clubs, Coldplay, who performed at The Dublin Castle, and Noah Kahan, who performed at The Social.

Skunk Anansie's Skin said what makes London's music scene "so vibrant is because we have so much diversity"

The campaign has been backed by artists including Skin from Skunk Anansie and Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of Iron Maiden.

Skin said: "You don't get mainstream music without the grassroots and there's no fast way to becoming a band or an artist.

"If you want to get on stage and learn you craft, the only way you're going to get good as a live band is in grassroots venues because they let you be as wild as you want to be.

"Everyone comes to London to hear music and we have some of the best venues in the world but I think what makes it so vibrant is because we have so much diversity in London."