'Thoroughly researched yet deeply personal, this book takes in marsh and factory, William Morris and TOWIE - all delivered with a friendly panache' - Aditya Chakraborrty 'A stellar performance' Jonathan Meades Essex. A county both famous and infamous: the stuff of tabloid headlines and reality television, consumer culture and right-wing politicians. England's dark id. But beyond the sensationalist headlines lies a strange and secret place with a rich history: of smugglers and private islands, artists and radicals, myths and legends. It's where the Peasants' Revolt began and the Empire Windrush docked. And - from political movements like Brexit to cultural events like TOWIE - where Essex leads, the rest of us often follow. Deeply researched and thoroughly engaging, The Invention of Essex shows that there is more to this fabled English county than meets the eye.

This is the first-ever collection of interviews, photographs, and up-to-date information on our best- loved venues, great and small, many of which have closed.

Includes interviews and anecdotes from promoters, fans, and musicians concerning historic arenas in the United States--the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles; the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle; and CBGB, Carnegie Hall, and the Cotton Club in New York. It also features old favorites in Australia like Cloudland Ballroom in Brisbane, the Oxford Funhouse in Sydney, the Crystal Ballroom in Melbourne, and the Tivoli in Adelaide. Major London venues covered include the Astoria, 100 Club, Hammersmith Palais, Roundhouse, Forum, Hackney Empire, and the Marquee.