Introduction to Music Video Locations for Hire

Creating a standout music video starts with the perfect location. At Locations Direct, we specialise in connecting artists, directors, and production teams with the best music video locations for filming in London and across the UK. From sleek modern apartments and historic mansions to edgy industrial spaces and scenic countryside settings, our curated portfolio offers endless options to bring your creative vision to life.

Whether you’re searching for locations for music video in London or unique music video locations UK-wide, our platform makes it easy to browse, compare, and book the ideal venue. Each location is professionally vetted, ensuring it’s ready for your crew, equipment, and production requirements. With flexible options for interiors, exteriors, and distinctive architectural features, our locations help you craft visuals that perfectly complement your music.

Iconic UK music videos, from the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” to Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black,” show how the right setting can define a song’s style and legacy. With Locations Direct, you gain access to both iconic and hidden gem locations, enabling your production to stand out with unique and inspiring backdrops.

Whether you need an intimate house, a luxurious mansion, or an urban warehouse, we provide the guidance and tools to find the ideal location for music video shoot. Make your next music video unforgettable with Locations Direct—your trusted partner for music video filming locations across London and the UK.

Book Music Video Locations with Locations Direct

At Locations Direct, we help filmmakers, photographers and artists find and hire music video locations across the UK and beyond. Whether you’re shooting in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow or further afield, our curated library of locations is designed to match your creative vision with spaces that actually work on shoot day.

We offer everything from gritty warehouses and abandoned tunnels to luxury mansions, rooftops with skyline views, and fully equipped studios—all vetted for filming and ready to book. Many of these locations are also ideal for photo shoots, offering features like natural light, versatile backdrops, and amenities suited for various types of photo sessions. Several spaces are equipped for TV productions as well, with appropriate lighting setups and set design options. We understand the specific demands of a music video shoot: fast turnarounds, strong visual impact, space for playback, choreography, and larger crews with heavy equipment.

Tell us your mood, genre, reference videos and budget, and we’ll source and present tailored location options quickly. Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:

• Speed – We respond fast, often with a shortlist within hours
• Industry knowledge – We know what works for music video production and what doesn’t
• Clear costs – No hidden fees or last-minute surprises
• Friendly support – A dedicated team that genuinely wants to help you nail the shot

Why Location Matters For Your Music Video

The right music video location can define the look, feel, and impact of your production just as much as lighting, camera angles, or wardrobe. At Locations Direct, we know that a location isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a storytelling tool that shapes how audiences connect with the song, the artist, and the overall vibe of the video.

Locations set tone and style instantly. A 90s Britpop aesthetic thrives on a bustling London high street, moody R&B visuals come alive in neon-lit basements, and cinematic indie vibes are enhanced by misty countryside estates. Iconic UK music videos show this power in action: the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, with its grand staircase symbolising 90s pop energy, or Richard Ashcroft’s “Bittersweet Symphony,” filmed in one continuous shot down Hoxton Street, where the location became inseparable from the song itself. These spaces don’t just host videos—they help define an artist’s identity.

Beyond the creative impact, practical considerations are key. Power access, sound control, parking for crew, and holding areas for talent all influence a smooth shoot. Locations Direct offers professionally vetted music video filming locations across London and the UK, ensuring your chosen space meets both creative and logistical needs. With our expertise, you can focus entirely on capturing the perfect performance, confident that your location will support every aspect of your production.

Whether you’re looking for urban streetscapes, stately homes, industrial warehouses, or hidden gems, Locations Direct provides the ideal music video locations London and UK-wide, giving your video the backdrop it deserves while making your shoot seamless and stress-free.

Your Expert London Music Video Location Agency

Locations Direct works across every scale and genre, from self-funded promos to label-backed productions. Whatever your brief, we can source the perfect music video location in London and beyond.

London Warehouses – Industrial and Versatile Spaces: Raw, industrial, and endlessly adaptable, London warehouses and East London railway arches are ideal for grime, drill, hip-hop, and electronic music videos. High ceilings accommodate lighting rigs and cranes, giving productions the flexibility to create dramatic, urban visuals. Converted warehouse spaces also offer edgy, authentic backdrops for contemporary music video productions.

Heritage Mansions and Period Properties – Timeless Elegance: Grand staircases, ornate fireplaces, and character-filled rooms provide stunning settings for soulful, jazz, and cinematic music videos. Period townhouses in prestigious areas like Hampstead and Richmond bring classic sophistication and visual impact, perfect for productions seeking a timeless, luxurious feel.

Rooftop Bars and Skyline Views – Modern, Aspirational Settings: For high-end, or aspirational visuals, London rooftops with panoramic skyline views are unbeatable. Locations Direct sources rooftops that capture golden hour lighting, providing the perfect backdrop for music videos, commercials, and fashion shoots.

Rehearsal Spaces and White Cyc Studios – Complete Creative Control: White cyc studios and rehearsal spaces are ideal for music videos and photo shoots requiring complete control over lighting, background, and projections. These versatile studios support portrait, lifestyle, commercial, and broadcast-quality video productions, making them a favourite for TV and digital content shoots.

Underground and Tunnel Spaces – Dramatic, Atmospheric Locations: Disused Underground stations, vaulted cellars, and tunnel systems create moody, cinematic atmospheres. These locations offer a sense of scale and mystery that enhances storytelling in music videos and film projects.

Cafes, Bars, and Clubs – Narrative-Driven Locations: From retro diners to modern cocktail bars, our curated venues add authenticity and context to music videos. Perfect for storytelling-driven productions, these spaces bring lived-in, relatable environments that elevate visual narratives.

City Streets and Housing Estates – Authentic Urban Backdrops: Capture the energy of British street culture with our selection of city streets, housing estates, and industrial districts. Locations in London, Manchester, and Glasgow have been featured in countless music videos for their gritty, authentic aesthetic.

Pools, Modern Villas, and Coastal Locations – Sun-Drenched Visuals: For glossy pop and lifestyle productions, Locations Direct sources private pools, contemporary villas, and scenic coastal spots like Studland Bay. These locations deliver the perfect mix of luxury, natural light, and cinematic appeal for high-quality music video productions.

Iconic UK Music Video Locations & Creative Inspiration

The UK has a long-standing tradition of producing visually striking music videos, and London, in particular, has served as the backdrop for some of the most memorable scenes in pop culture. At Locations Direct, we draw on this legacy daily, helping artists and production teams discover music video locations that feel fresh while resonating with audiences.

Victorian Cemeteries – Gothic, Atmospheric Settings: Victorian cemeteries have featured in countless music videos, offering a moody, cinematic quality that suits darker themes or introspective ballads. Weathered headstones, overgrown pathways, and dappled light create an atmosphere impossible to replicate in a studio. Artists like Amy Winehouse embraced this vintage London aesthetic, filming in cobbled streets, traditional pubs, and authentic corners of Camden and Stoke Newington to reflect her sound visually.

Disused Underground Stations – Cinematic and Eerie: London’s disused Underground stations, including Aldwych, provide compelling, atmospheric backdrops for music videos, fashion shoots, and feature films. With arched tunnels, tiled walls, and haunting stillness, these spaces offer a cinematic edge for artists seeking dramatic, immersive visuals.

Grand Hotels and Period Interiors – Instant Visual Drama: Majestic hotels with sweeping staircases and period interiors deliver immediate style and sophistication. Iconic locations, such as the hotel featured in the Spice Girls’ breakthrough video, create a sense of occasion, helping music videos stand out with elegance and grandeur.

Urban Streets and Housing Estates – Grounded, Authentic Backdrops: Not all iconic locations are grand. Some of the UK’s most memorable music videos use ordinary streets, housing estates, and local landmarks to tell relatable stories. Blur’s Parklife transformed the Pilot pub on the Greenwich Peninsula into a cultural landmark, while Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues famously used an alley behind London’s Savoy Hotel to integrate visual storytelling with lyrics. Contemporary artists like Stormzy and The Prodigy continue this tradition, turning South London streets and industrial decay into epic, visually compelling backdrops.

Inspiring Creativity Through Location: These examples demonstrate that iconic UK music video locations range from historic and grand to urban and authentic. At Locations Direct, we help artists, directors, and production teams discover the perfect streets, staircases, tunnels, and venues to tell compelling stories. Whether you’re seeking atmospheric Victorian settings, cinematic Underground stations, or gritty urban landscapes, we connect you with the locations that turn your music video vision into reality.

How To Choose The Right Music Video Location

Choosing the right location is one of the most important decisions in any music video production. As part of a comprehensive course of action, this process involves developing a creative vision, budgeting, booking locations, hiring crew, and managing logistics to ensure a smooth shoot. Here’s a practical guide to help directors, producers and photographers plan their next shoot.

Start with your visual brief:

• Define the mood, colour palette and references that capture what you’re hoping to achieve
• Gather example videos, stills and style references to share with your locations team
• Consider how the space will work with your lighting plan and any featured themes

Think about performance needs:

• Will you have a full band, solo artist or choreography?
• How much room do you need for movement, camera tracks and crew?
• Does the talent need a private space to prepare between takes?

Get the logistics right:

• Confirm crew size and what equipment you’ll be bringing
• Check load-in routes, lift sizes and any restrictions on heavy kit
• Arrange parking for vans, generators and any additional vehicles
• Identify where your unit base will be located

Consider sound:

• Can you play back the track at full volume, or are there neighbour restrictions?
• If recording live vocals, is the acoustic suitable?
• Are there ambient noise issues from traffic, construction or nearby venues?

Align location with budget:

• Controlled studios offer predictability but can feel less distinctive
• On-location shoots bring visual impact but come with variables
• Factor in overtime costs, security and any council permits required

Know your permit requirements:

• Street shoots in busy areas like Soho, Shoreditch or Camden often need council permissions
• Some residential locations have strict rules on hours and noise
• Allow lead time—UK permits typically take 7–14 days, though we can often expedite

Note: Popular music video locations can be booked at least 30 days in advance to secure preferred dates.

Working With Locations Direct On Your Music Video

Our process is designed to make location sourcing fast and painless for music video productions on tight timelines. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Send your brief and references – Share your treatment, mood boards, genre and budget. The more detail, the better we can match you.
2. Receive a curated shortlist – We’ll come back with tailored options, each with stills, basic costs and key technical notes. Each location option is presented on a dedicated web page, making it easy for you to access all relevant documents and resources.
3. Shortlist and tech-scout – Visit your favourites in person, or we can arrange virtual walkthroughs with video and photos.
4. Lock dates and permits – Once you’ve chosen, we handle contracts and coordinate any permissions needed.
5. Shoot day coordination – We’re on call to troubleshoot, liaise with hosts and ensure everything runs smoothly.

We regularly support productions in major hubs including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh. For international briefs, we can also help through our network of partners.

What else do we bring to the table?

• Negotiating fair rates that work for your budget
• Flagging overtime and noise restrictions before they become problems
• Advising on realistic schedules based on location logistics
• Suggesting backup options in case weather affects exterior shoots

Ready to start? Get in touch with your next music video treatment and let’s begin the search.

Budgeting & Planning For A Music Video Shoot

Smart location choices can protect your budget without compromising the look. Understanding where your money goes helps you make informed decisions from the start.

Key cost lines affected by location:

• Hire fee – The base rate for using the space
• Overtime – Additional hourly charges if you run beyond agreed hours
• Security – Required at some venues, especially overnight or for high-value properties
• Permits – Council fees for street shoots or public land
• Parking – Crew vehicle bays, which can add up in central London
• Generators – Needed if the location lacks sufficient power
• Unit base – A nearby space for catering, makeup and crew holding
• Location manager and marshals – Professional support for complex shoots

Planning tips:

• Lock your main location early to build the rest of your schedule around it
• Plan exterior shoots around natural light—golden hour and blue hour can transform a scene
• Allow buffer time for company moves if you’re covering multiple locations
• A single-location performance video is often more achievable on a tight budget than a multi-location narrative piece

Music Video Scouting Tips

Effective location scouting can save hours of stress on shoot day. Here’s hands-on advice drawn from real-world experience.

On-site checks to make:

• Power access – Where are the outlets? Is the supply sufficient for your lighting and equipment?
• Ceiling height – Can you rig overhead lights, or will you need floor-based setups?
• Safe rigging points – Check load-bearing beams or existing fixtures before planning any suspension
• Sound reflections – Hard surfaces create echo; soft furnishings help control audio
• Neighbour proximity – How close are other buildings? Will playback volume be an issue?
• Holding areas – Where can cast and crew wait between takes without appearing on screen?

Documentation tips:

• Take high-quality reference photos from multiple angles, including wide shots and details, to aid both music video planning and potential photo shoots
• Capture short video walkthroughs to review later with your director and DP
• Check mobile reception—reliable signal is essential for continuity apps and playback control
• Note any existing decor or features you’ll want to keep, hide or work around

Access and logistics:

• Measure doorways and lift dimensions if you’re bringing large equipment
• Confirm loading restrictions and any time windows for deliveries
• Ask about building rules regarding smoke machines, haze or atmospheric effects
• Check drone regulations if aerial shots are part of your plan

Locations Direct does this groundwork in advance, providing tech notes with each shortlisted location so you can make informed decisions before you even visit.

Start Your Next Music Video With Locations Direct

Finding the perfect venue shouldn’t be the hardest part of making a music video. With the right location and an experienced partner, even modest budgets can achieve high-end visuals that capture your audience and elevate your track.

Whether you’re creating a stripped-back acoustic piece, a high-energy performance video or a narrative-driven short film, we’re here to help you explore options that match your vision. From London’s urban streets to the natural beauty of the UK’s coastline and countryside, the possibilities are wide open.

Share your treatment, reference links and target dates, and we’ll respond quickly with tailored options. No matter where you are in the process—whether you’ve got a locked-in concept or you’re still searching for inspiration—we’re ready to help you discover the site that brings your music to life on screen.

Get in touch with Locations Direct to start scouting your next iconic setting.

FAQs About Music Video Locations

If you’re new to hiring professional locations for a music video, here are answers to the questions we hear most often.

What are typical hire hours and day rates? Most locations offer a standard 10 or 12-hour day. Rates vary widely depending on the space—smaller studios might start from £500 per day, while landmark buildings or luxury properties can reach £5,000 or more. We always provide clear pricing upfront so there are no surprises.

How much lead time do I need for booking? Ideally, allow 2–4 weeks to scout, shortlist and confirm. That said, we’ve helped crews secure locations within days when needed. The earlier you brief us, the more options we can present.

Is playback allowed at full volume? This depends on the venue. Studios and industrial spaces usually have no restrictions, but residential properties and locations with neighbours may have limits. We’ll confirm this in advance so you can plan accordingly.

What insurance do I need? Most locations require public liability insurance, typically £5–10 million. Your production company may already hold this; if not, short-term policies are available. We can advise on what’s needed.

How many locations can I realistically cover in one shoot day? For a music video, one main location often works best to maximise creative time. If you’re planning a multi-location narrative, factor in travel, load-in and company moves—two or three locations is usually the practical limit.

Can residential spaces be used at night? Some can, but many have restrictions on hours due to neighbours or building rules. We’ll always flag this during the scouting stage so you can plan your schedule accordingly.

How many people can usually be accommodated? This varies by space. A studio might comfortably hold 30–40 crew, while a residential house may cap numbers at 15–20. We include capacity guidance with every shortlist.

When will I need extra security or traffic management? Street shoots in busy areas, late-night exteriors and any scene involving crowds or vehicle access may require marshals or council-approved traffic management. We’ll advise on this based on your specific location and shot list.