Central London venue, The Borderline, celebrates 21 years on the London Live Music circuit with a re-launch party on Thursday 21st January 2010. London alternative rockers, The Invisible, headline the night with support from fellow Londoners, Mothlite. Entry will be £12.50 and doors open at 7.00 pm.

Part of the venue re-launch will be a substantial refurbishment, taking place in the first two weeks of January 2010.  These include improved air handling, new toilets, a bigger seating area at the rear of the venue, a relocated cloakroom and an additional bar. From the artist side there will be a second dressing room and a new green room, as well as an upgrade of the PA and lights.

In it’s first decade The Borderline was an integral part of the 1990’s Brit-pop era with key acts of the time, Pearl Jam (1992), R.E.M. (1991), Sheryl Crow (1994) and Oasis (1994) all playing there. In 2003, The Borderline joined the Mean Fiddler portfolio of venues, which itself was acquired by present owners MAMA Group in 2007.  The 21st century has seen The Borderline continue to attract key artists with acts such as Bloc Party (2003), Patrick Wolf (2005) and more recently White Lies (2009) performing there. 

The refurb – which will be the first major changes made to the venue in it’s 21 years – will not only update the venue but will bring it into line with the other MAMA Group venues.  Alongside MAMA Group’s Heaven, Relentless Garage, Camden Barfly and Jazz Café, February 2010 will see The Borderline as a central venue for the HMV Next Big Thing festival, where it will play host to, Chew Lips, Charli XCX (6th Feb), Plasticines, Polly Mackey & The Pleasure Principle (8th Feb), Little Comets, Goldhawks (9th Feb), Wave Picture, Lisa Mitchell, The Miserable Rich (10 Feb), The Soft Pack, Comanechi, O'Children (12th Feb), Ian King, Andrew Morris (13th Feb).

Dean James, Co-Chief Executive of MAMA Group says: “I am very pleased we have re-furbished this iconic London venue and together with the work we've done at the Relentless Garage, HMV Forum and HMV Apollo we can now take an artist from 275 people to 5,100 people in probably the best equipped group of venues in London.”

Steve Forster, MD for MAMA Group’s Live Division says: “It is very much our intention to make The Borderline the must play venue in Central London for 2010. Lovers of the 'well worn aesthetic' of The Borderline should not be too worried as the plans for the refurb are to keep the whole Soho basement vibe very much in place. Plans for the redevelopment reflect what artists and customers have been saying for some time.”