Liked Astoria shows, mind you I only went to see TD - and every christmas for Hawkwinds Christmas bash, and once for Alabama 3. was pretty nifty for this northern boy - a day in the shops doing christmas shopping, lots to drink, sleep it off in a hotel and home next day for t.
Upstairs in the Astoria is probably one of the worst sounding venues I've ever had the misfortune to spend money in, but downstairs at stage front it was OK - from my usual perch just to the left of the mixing desk booth.
I'll miss it - good central venue, minutes away from the west end - on foot as well.
The alternatives may be better venues, Shepherds Bush, Brixton Academy, and now as we've seen the forum in Kentish town, but thats a long way from city centre so it makes it a less attractive day out.