Hotels for Courteeners

Expect a crowd that knows every word before the first chorus lands, the kind of gig where the singing back is as loud as the band. Courteeners built their following on anthems made for exactly this: a big room, a Saturday night, and no need to persuade anyone in the audience to join in. A 6.30pm start gives the night room to breathe, with the main set stretching well into the evening. It's a gig for long-time fans more than curious newcomers.

Perched on a north London hilltop with sweeping views over the city, 'Ally Pally' is a grand Victorian pleasure palace turned much-loved concert, festival and darts venue. Its surrounding parkland, boating lake and the leafy streets of Muswell Hill and Wood Green give the area a relaxed, village-ish feel.

Alexandra Palace rail station and buses climb toward the entrance, linking to King's Cross in minutes. An overnight base nearby means you can enjoy the hilltop setting without a long downhill journey after dark.