Those concerts that aren't free are relayed live to the market area for the hard-up. Try the Cosmic Comedy Club, which plays host to new and upcoming acts. Entrance is free on selected evenings. Both the BBC and a number of independent production companies provide free tickets to recordings of their comedy shows. But the best bet if you want to see big name acts for free is to keep an eye on the major London record shops.
Artists often play short sets to promote new releases.
The gigs may be followed by record signings, media interviews and photographs. Metro, London's only morning newspaper, is available from tube and rail stations, not to mention stuffed in every litter bin, blowing along the street and on the seats of underground trains all day. If you need a paper with a more national flavour, McDonalds generally have copies of most of the daily tabloids and broadsheets. Aussies, Kiwis and South Africans get their own magazines, including TNT, Southern Cross and SA Times. Find them in special bins outside selected underground stations.