This March marks the 40th anniversary of “Houses of the Holy” and we’re celebrating.

After the behemoth that was Led Zeppelin IV, Led Zep were under pressure to maintain their status as stadium-filling Rock Gods. However, instead of producing an entire album of their trademark hard rock/blues/folk sound, the band decided to experiment a bit. They had matured as musicians and “Houses of the Holy” sees each of the band members getting their spot in the limelight and features some of their best playing. They also took cues from other musical styles such as the James Brown tribute “The Crunge” and the reggae-infused “D’yer Mak’er”. Read more about the album here.

Join us for the two hour musical lead-up featuring music that either inspired or was contemporary to this LP such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, James Brown, George Harrison and Black Sabbath. Then we relay the story behind the album. Finally its lights down, volume up and we play the album from beginning to end on vinyl on our audiophile hi-fi. Listening guidelines apply.

London

Sunday, 3 March, 5 to 8 pm

The Hanbury Arms, 33 Linton Steet, London N1 7DU

Tickets: £8 on the door and £8 + service charge here

We suggest you book in advance as we do sell out.

Presenter: Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy

Audio Menu: Rega Apheta MC Cartridge, Rega P9 Turntable, Klimax DSM with Preamp, Linn Klimax Solo Power Amps, Chord Signature Speaker Cable, Chord Cadenza interconnects, ISOL-8 Substation Integra Power Conditioner and Bowers & Wilkins 802 Diamond Loudspeakers

Tokyo

Sunday, 31 March, 5 to 8 pm

Studio A at Kitasando, 3-12-10, #103 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku Tokyo 151-0051

Tickets: 1500 JPY. Limited spaces so please e-mail cas@lighthouserecords.jp with name and phone number to reserve.

Presenter: Lighthouse Records

Audio Menu: Bowers & Willkins 802 Diamond Series Loudspeakers, Luxman M-600A Power Amplification, Luxman C-600f Control Amplification, Roksan Xerxes 20 plus Turntable