Where legends were made. 65 years of industrial beats, underground rebellion, and unforgettable nights on Oak Street.
Explore The LegacyOn December 20th, Lord Mayor Horace Allen opened the Norwich Industrial Club on Oak Street. Over 800 people attended the grand opening. Built by the late Geoff Fisher, who leased the land from the Great Hospital, the club became an instant success in Norwich's post-war cultural landscape.
June 1957 marked Norwich's first Skiffle contest at the club. The Saints, featuring Tony Sheridan on lead vocals and guitar, took the prize. Sheridan would later achieve fame for his rendition of "My Bonnie" with The Beatles, kick-starting their rise to stardom.
Reborn as The Melody Rooms - Norwich's first discothèque. In just four months, membership exploded from 400 to 1,400. The club became legendary for its caged go-go dancers and cutting-edge atmosphere, capturing the spirit of 1960s British youth culture.
January 5th, 1968 - Rock royalty arrived. Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce of Cream graced the Industrial Club stage. The psychedelic supergroup brought blues-rock innovation to Oak Street, cementing the venue's reputation for hosting world-class talent.
The Melody Rooms became Norwich's premier destination for live music. The Who, The Kinks, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Procol Harum, Gene Pitney, and The Herd all performed on this historic stage, making Norwich a crucial stop on the British music circuit.
April 1974 brought transformation. The venue became the Talk of East Anglia, pivoting toward variety entertainment and the working men's club style. This evolution reflected changing tastes in British nightlife during the mid-70s glam rock era.
After substantial renovation, the venue reopened with legendary Norwich bandleader Chic Applin. Radio presenter David Clayton (now of BBC Radio Norfolk) served as the venue's DJ, bringing professional broadcasting energy to the dance floor.
After financial challenges in the mid-80s, the venue emerged from receivership as Springfield International Nightclub. This incarnation embraced the burgeoning electronic dance music scene, connecting to Norwich's underground culture.
Renamed simply "The Talk," the venue found its final identity. It became home to monthly 80s nights, themed events, and diverse entertainment. As Norwich's longest-standing nightclub, it remained a safe haven for music lovers outside the city center.
After 65 remarkable years, The Talk closed its doors in March 2022. COVID-19 restrictions and dwindling crowds marked the end of Norwich's most enduring nightlife institution. Plans emerged for redevelopment into commercial and residential spaces.
From its origins as the Norwich Industrial Club, the venue embraced raw, authentic industrial design - exposed architecture that became synonymous with underground culture and alternative music scenes.
Witnessed the birth of skiffle, the British Invasion, psychedelic rock, glam, disco, house music, and rave culture. The Talk adapted to every musical revolution across six decades.
Located at 113 Oak Street, just beyond the city center's chaos. The Talk offered a unique atmosphere - close enough to matter, far enough to be different. A true community hub.
Norwich's first discothèque with caged go-go dancers in the 60s. Later hosted legendary monthly 80s nights that drew crowds from across East Anglia. The dance floor was always electric.
While smaller than arena venues, The Talk's intimacy meant you could see legends up close. Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Pete Townshend - all within arm's reach of the Norwich faithful.
A cornerstone of East Anglia's rave culture and alternative music scene. The Talk connected Norwich to the broader UK underground movement, from acid house to jungle and beyond.
For 65 years, The Talk stood as more than just a nightclub. It was a cultural institution that witnessed the evolution of British music and youth culture. From Tony Sheridan's skiffle to Cream's blues-rock revolution, from Pink Floyd's psychedelic experiments to the underground rave scene of the 90s - this Oak Street venue was there for it all.
The Talk connected Norwich to the broader tapestry of UK music history. It proved that legendary moments don't only happen in London, Manchester, or Liverpool. They happen wherever passion, community, and great music converge. The Talk was that convergence point for generations of Norwich music lovers.
"The end of an icon... So sad that this club is closing, it's always a place I choose to go as it feels very safe, especially as it's not in the city."