If one had to pick an epicenter of ‘90s Britpop, it was definitely Camden. The London neighborhood was home to the Good Mixer, the bar that regularly hosted the scene’s biggest stars. In tribute to its musical past, London-based artist Tobias Hall has adorned the walls of the Holiday Inn, Camden, with Britpop lyrics (click the link for full gallery).
Lines from Blur’s “Parklife,” Oasis’ “Wonderwall,” and Supergrass’ “Alright” received the art treatment in this typography-based mural. Commenters at Design Taxi were quick to point out that none of the bands chosen for the mural originated in Camden (Blur is from Colchester, Oasis from Manchester, and Supergrass from Oxford). Perhaps the world just isn’t ready for a Holiday Inn with Menswe@r lyrics painted on its walls, and maybe “Stutter” by Elastica would have sent the wrong message to couples.
On a related note, @ShitChester reports that someone left Mansun lyrics on a nearby telephone pole. Turns out you don’t need a “Wide Open Space” for the timeless wisdom of Paul Draper, after all.
Regardless, this is a unique way to remember the scene that dominated Camden in the ‘90s.
Of course, we here at Vanyaland are distressed by the lack of Suede lyrics in this mural — anyone check their closest Asda Town? — but we’re ultimately happy that Britpop’s biggest hits are being remembered on the walls of a Camden hotel.
It’s as close to talking as those walls will ever get.