Hotels for Judas Priest

Metal on this scale runs on volume and theatre in equal measure: leather, studs, twin guitars trading solos, and a frontman who still commands the stage after decades in the role. A Monday evening slot means an early start for the working week, with doors well ahead of the 6pm kick-off and a set built for a crowd who know every lyric.

Expect a night heavy on pyrotechnics and heavier still on nostalgia, with newer material slotted alongside the songs that built the band's reputation. This is a crowd that dresses for the occasion and sings every chorus back.

A beautifully preserved art-deco theatre in Hammersmith, the Eventim Apollo is one of London's best-loved mid-size music venues, hosting touring bands, comedy and one-off gigs. The surrounding west London district blends riverside pubs along the Thames with the bustle of the Broadway's shops and cafés.

Hammersmith station, served by the District, Piccadilly and other lines, sits almost opposite the entrance. Booking a room nearby means you can spill out after the show straight into the neighbourhood's late bars and easy transport.