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Rusty Egan: In Conversation and DJ Set Thursday 27 November - 7.30pm All tickets £12 (books sold separately). BOOK TICKETS Join us as we welcome one of the most iconic and influential figures in the electronic music industry, Rusty Egan, to the BME. Rusty’s book ‘Rusty Egan: The Autobiography’ is published on 2nd October 2025. Rusty’s career began in the music industry as a runner at DJM studios, followed by a stint at WEA Records. He collaborated with former Sex Pistols member Glen Matlock, alongside Steve New and Midge Ure, to establish the new wave band Rich Kids. Their debut album, Ghosts of Princes in Towers, released in 1978, achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. During the Rich Kids tours, Rusty met Steve Strange. This encounter led to Rusty's concept for a club night at Billy's, a Soho venue, catering to fashionable punks and showcasing the music they were passionate about. In 1979, they moved their club night to the Blitz in Covent Garden. As the resident DJ at the Blitz, Rusty played a pivotal role in introducing British, German, and Japanese electronica to the British club scene, essentially curating the soundtrack for the burgeoning New Romantic movement. Rusty Egan was instrumental in the formation of the band Visage with Midge Ure. Steve Strange joined them as the frontman (face and voice), and the lineup was completed by Billy Currie on keyboards, along with John McGeoch (guitar), Dave Formula (keyboards), and Barry Adamson (bass), all from the band MAGAZINE. Rusty was also the drummer in the Rich Kids and later collaborated with the Skids, The Misfits and Shock. Beyond his band work Rusty co-founded the incredibly popular Camden Palace nightclub in London with Steve Strange, where he continued to champion and shape the development of electronica in the UK. He also established Metropolis Music, a publishing and production company, allowing him to create music as well as perform it. In more recent news, Rusty released his album Welcome To The Dancefloor in 2017, which featured collaborations with Midge Ure, Tony Hadley, and Peter Hook. Furthermore, in June 2024, Demon Records released the definitive box set of music that Rusty played at the iconic Blitz Club in 1979-1980. Fans will also be excited to know that Rusty's newest album, Romantic, is scheduled for release in 2025. Books will be on sale at the event from Linghams Bookshop, and the in-conversation is followed by a short DJ set by Rusty in the Star Café & Bar. Previous Next

The Rise and Fall of The Clash Redux Film Screening Thursday 23 October - 7.30pm All tickets £7.50 BOOK TICKETS The Rise and Fall of The Clash Redux is a newly edited and improved version of the only personal and up-close film about the juggernaut band The Clash, and their meteoric trajectory through rock n roll history. The Rise and Fall of The Clash Redux features previously unseen footage of the band at work and at play as well as interviews with band members and with other insiders. This is not a film that pulls any punches, but neither does it overlook the life-changing effect that The Clash brought to so many. The Rise and Fall of The Clash Redux paints the fascinating inside story of rivalries, treachery, betrayal and the internal band dynamics and managerial interference that ultimately led the biggest band in the world to self-destruct. New interviews with Rude Boy protagonist and Clash insider Ray Gange and author Mick O'Shea bring new light to this film on the only band that mattered. “Garcia builds a sobering, nightmarish picture of life in the post-Jones The Clash Mk II” Damien Love, Uncut “Danny Garcia’s documentary The Rise and Fall Of The Clash, a whodunit about the breakup, is the first movie to shed light on this bizarre period.” Oliver Hall, Dangerous Minds “A mould breaker. Watch and be mesmerised as this miserable tale unfolds” Kieron Tyler, The Arts Desk “An essential watch for any die—hard Clash fan” Punknews.org Director: Danny Garcia Running time: 90 mins There are no ads or trailers, the film starts at 7.30pm. All tickets £7.50 Please note, our museum galleries are closed during film screenings. Previous Next

Halloween Film Night - The Rocky Horror Picture Show October 29 2020 - 7:00pm £7.50 / £6 concession, Independent Liverpool member (ID required) BOOK TICKETS For more than 40 years, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has defined what is meant by a ‘cult’ movie. Based on the 1973 musical stage production, The Rocky Horror Show is a parody tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the 1930s through to the early 1960s. In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tyre during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O'Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named "Rocky." Dress up, sing along, and give yourself over to absolute pleasure at our special Halloween screening. Dir: Richard Sharman Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes Certificate: 15 Please note there are no ads and trailers. Museum galleries are closed during film screenings. Previous Next

Triggers: A Life in Music - In Conversation with Glen Matlock 4 December 2023 - 7.30pm All tickets £8. BOOK TICKETS We are delighted to welcome music legend and founding member of the Sex Pistols Glen Matlock in celebration of his new book Triggers: A Life in Music. Glen will be discussing insider tales of the Sex Pistols' earliest gigs and stormiest reunions and his time with the likes of David Bowie and Primal Scream. Glen Matlock is the legendary former bass player and songwriter in the Sex Pistols. He is credited with co-writing ten of the twelve tracks on their sole studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks. He left the band in 1977 and formed the Rich Kids with Midge Ure, enjoying chart success with their 1978 Rich Kids single. In 2023, Matlock released his sixth solo album, Consequences Coming, and joins Blondie on their forthcoming album and tour. Triggers is the story of an outspoken, uncompromising man and remarkable, game-changing musician, told through the lens of thirty of his most formative songs - from the ones that influenced him as a child to the ones he wrote and played on as a star. Glen will be in conversation with Roy Boulter - drummer with The Farm and acclaimed television and film producer/director. The in conversation will be followed by a book signing. Books are available to purchase on the evening from Linghams Booksellers. Please note our museum galleries are closed during evening events. Previous Next

Counter Culture Book Launch Friday 10 October, 7-10pm BOOK TICKETS Step into the world of counterculture as we celebrate the launch of this brand-new book — seven years in the making — tracing the relationship between music, fashion, and style from 1977 to 2002. Authors Jay Montessori & Brendan Wyatt will be in conversation with Kevin Sampson, joined by contributors Peter Hooton and Terry Farley. Together, they’ll discuss the movements, genres, and cultural shifts captured in the book, with a chance for the audience to put their own questions to the panel. On the night, key pieces from the collection will be on display, offering a rare look at the artefacts and styles that defined an era. To round things off, Gra Eaves will deliver a DJ set charting 25 years of countercultural sounds and fashion, from the late ’70s through to the early 2000s. https://www.instagram.com/transalpinoofficial?igsh=MXdqMWJqdXBha3VtOA== Please note, our museum galleries are closed during events. Previous Next

Sam Ryder at the BME 25 March 2023 - 1.30pm Free with General Entry Ticket BOOK TICKETS Sparkling with symbolism, Sam Ryder’s iconic jumpsuit worn on stage at the 66th Eurovision Song Contest 2022 is on display at the BME ahead of the city hosting the 67th edition of the song contest 2023. To mark the outfit coming into our collection, we are thrilled to welcome Sam Ryder to BME on Saturday 25 March for a chat before his sold-out evening gig at the O2 Academy, Liverpool. Sam Ryder's meteoric rise to success started through TikTok videos during lockdowns, with his show-stopping falsetto vocals causing the videos to go viral. He went on to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy with the song Space Man, finishing first in the jury vote and second overall. Sam released his debut studio album, There’s Nothing But Space Man! (2022) which landed Number 1 in the Official UK Albums Chart and saw him nominated for Best New Artist at the 2023 BRIT Awards, becoming the first Eurovision act to be nominated in this category. Sam will be on our main stage, chatting to The Guide Liverpool ’s Jay Hynd. Jay says: "I cannot wait to speak to Sam about that iconic Eurovision performance, and the journey that led him there. He is of course, the reason why our city gets to host the contest this year so we'll be celebrating his success and finding out why we should be so excited about May in Liverpool " Important ticket information: Anyone with a valid general-entry ticket to the BME is eligible to join this event – please read the ticketing details below carefully: Please note this is a standing event and takes place in front of our main stage. To guarantee entry to the Q&A, you must purchase a general entry museum ticket online for any time slot on Saturday 25 March, from 10am – 12pm (midday). Timeslots booked after this time will NOT be valid for the event. Anyone holding a BME Annual Pass (purchased between 26/3/22-24/3/23) is eligible to join this event but not guaranteed entry. ID may be requested prior to entry. Capacity is strictly limited. If you are an Annual Pass holder, we recommend getting to BME early to ensure entry to the event. Once we have reached our main stage capacity, we will not be able to let any more Annual Pass holders in until the event finishes. BME opens at 10am. The event starts at 1.30pm prompt. All ticket holders are very welcome to stay in the museum for the remainder of the day – we close at 5pm. Previous Next

Halloween Film Night Little Shop of Horrors 28 October 2021 - 7pm BOOK TICKETS Remember...don’t feed the plants! Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis) is a nerdy orphan working at Mushnik's, a flower shop in urban Skid Row. He harbors a crush on fellow co-worker Audrey Fulquard, and is berated by Mr. Mushnik daily. One day as Seymour is seeking a new mysterious plant, he finds a very mysterious unidentified plant which he calls Audrey II. The plant seems to have a craving for blood and soon begins to sing for his supper. Soon enough, Seymour feeds Audrey's sadistic dentist boyfriend (Steve Martin) to the plant and later, Mushnik for witnessing the death of Audrey's ex. Will Audrey II take over the world or will Seymour and Audrey defeat it? There are no ads or trailers. Director: Frank Oz Certificate: PG Length: 1hr 34mins Tickets £8 adult, £6.50 child/concession/Independent Liverpool member (ID required) Please note, our museum galleries are closed during film screenings. Previous Next

Live Aid 40: Music, Power & Unity The legendary event viewed through personal archives including organiser Bob Geldof. 5 June 2025 - 18 January 2026 Included with all general entry tickets purchased. BOOK TICKETS It was the 13th of July, 1985 and the world waited with anticipation as the stage at Wembley Stadium was poised to launch Live Aid. BBC Radio 1 DJ Richard Skinner famously declared, “It’s 12 noon in London, 7am in Philadelphia and around the world, it’s time for Live Aid”. We reflect on the legacy by displaying some items from the personal collection of organiser Bob Geldof. Items include letters from Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, planning documents for Live Aid, the very first test pressing for Band Aid, Peter Blake’s stage-side sketches of Live 8, hand-written re-worked lyrics for Band Aid 20 and much more. BOOK TICKETS Items from Bob Geldof's Personal Collection Hand-written lyrics for Band Aid 20 Original official Band Aid and Live Aid merchandise on sale Past Exhibitions Live Aid 40: Music, Power & Unity 5 June 2025 - 18 January 2026 Live Aid 40: Music, Power & Unity The legendary event viewed through personal archives including organiser Bob Geldof. 5 June 2025 - 18 January 2026 Included with all general entry tickets purchased. BOOK NOW

EVERYTHING - THE REAL THING STORY plus Q&A with Chris Amoo October 24 2020 - 7.00pm Ticket Price: £10, Concession/Independent Liverpool member £8 BOOK TICKETS The ‘other four lads from Liverpool’ tell their story from the tough streets of Toxteth to the bright lights of New York, and international stardom as Britain’s first million-selling soul and funk band. Against a backdrop of racism and social and political turmoil, The Real Thing were the first all-black British band to hit No.1 in the pop charts – with the perennial ‘You To Me Are Everything’ – and as a result became the original black pin-ups for teenage fans in the UK. Other hits like ‘Can’t Get By Without You’, ‘You’ll Never Know What You’re Missing’ and ‘Can You Feel the Force’ set dancefloors alight, but their proudest moment was composing their anthemic ‘Children of the Ghetto’ – the first ever song to address the plight of black people in the UK, and is now a staple of Mary J Blige’s live stage act. The band’s massive success has also been tempered with personal tragedy, but for the very first time Eddy, Chris and Dave tell their incredible story of a 45-year-long career. After five decades, they remain the true pioneers of British soul. Narrated by Game of Thrones actor Jacob Anderson, Everything – The Real Thing Story also stars Billy Ocean, David Essex OBE, Trevor Nelson MBE, Kim Wilde, Paul Barber, Denise Pearson and Louis Emerick. After the film, Chris Amoo will be in conversation with Liverpool’s Head of Music, Kevin McManus. Film Running Time: 1hr 34mins Rating 15 This event forms part of ON RECORD - UNTOLD & RETOLD in association with LCR Music Board, a celebration and exploration of black music in Liverpool and the role it has played in the city and in communities over the past 70 years. Please note there are no ads and trailers. Museum galleries are closed during film screenings. Please note, our museum galleries are closed during events. Previous Next

Christmas Film Night: Gremlins 16 December - 7pm Tickets £8 / £6.50 concession/child/Independent Liverpool member (ID required) BOOK TICKETS Join us as we conclude our celebration of 1984 by screening one of the big Christmas films from that year - Gremlins. In search of the perfect Christmas present for Billy his teenage son, Randall Peltzer comes up with a ‘Mogwai’. But, this otherwise sweet and furry pet companion comes with a warning: should its unwise owner break the three fundamental guidelines of owning such a unique creature, all hell will break loose. Of course, Billy disregards the strict rules, and as the once-adorable animal spawns terrifying minuscule critters, the suburban haven of Kingston Falls is under siege. Now, there is no turning back, and destruction is at hand. Is there an escape from this endless Yuletide nightmare, and the horrible menace of the Gremlins? Director: Joe Dante Certificate: 12A There are no ads or trailers, the film starts at 7pm. Please note, our galleries are closed during film screenings. Previous Next

Film Night: Control Thursday 28 November, 7.30pm Tickets £8 adult / £7 BME Annual Pass holder (pass required). On sale Friday 18 October. BOOK TICKETS To coincide with the Vox Phantom VI Special guitar, owned by Ian Curtis and played in the video for Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart going on display in the museum, we're hosting a screening of Control - the 2007 biographical film about the life of Ian Curtis, singer of post-punk band Joy Division. The guitar will be available to view before and after the screening. Samantha Morton and Sam Riley star as Deborah and Ian Curtis, and the film portrays the events of the couple's lives from 1973 to 1980, focusing on their marriage, the formation and career of Joy Division, Ian's struggle with epilepsy, his extramarital affair with Belgian journalist Annik Honoré, and culminates with Ian's suicide in May, 1980. Control is the first feature film directed by Anton Corbijn, who worked with Joy Division as a photographer. The screenplay by Matt Greenhalgh is based on the biography Touching from a Distance by Curtis's widow Deborah, who served as a co-producer on the film. Tony Wilson, who released Joy Division's records through his Factory Records label, also served as a co-producer. Curtis' bandmates Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris provided incidental music for the soundtrack via New Order. The film won five British Independent Film Awards including Best Film, Best Director for Corbijn, Most Promising Newcomer for Riley, and Best Supporting Actor for Toby Kebbell. It was named Best Film at the 2007 Evening Standard British Film Awards, and Greenhalgh was given the Carl Foreman Award for outstanding achievement in his first feature film at the 61st British Academy Film Awards. Running time: 2 hours 2 minutes Director: Anton Corbijn Certificate: 15 There are no ads or trailers, the film starts at 7.30pm. Please note, our museum galleries are closed during film screenings. Previous Next

Your Local Arena - Rudies Come Back: The Rise of 2-Tone Film screening and panel discussion Thursday 17 October 2024 - 7.30pm Tickets £5 BOOK TICKETS With its home in Coventry, its roots in reggae and its multiracial bands, 2-Tone was a British musical phenomenon. As part of Black History Month, this Your Local Arena special screens Rudies Come Back, the energetic 1980 BBC Arena film made by Jeff Perks right at the moment that 2-Tone was emerging, capturing its unique blend of 1960s blue beat and ska with 1970s reggae, soul and punk. The film will be followed by a panel discussion. Guests include: legendary reggae musician and producer Dennis Bovell, drummer June Miles-Kingston from the Mo-dettes and Fun Boy Three, author, artist and music expert Zoë Howe, and filmmaker Jeff Perks. It promises to be an unforgettable evening highlighting the racial unity sparked by the 2-Tone movement, which stood in direct opposition to the Far Right in the late 1970s and early 80s. Born in Barbados in 1953, Dennis Bovell MBE is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, sound engineer, composer, band leader and producer. He came to London when he was twelve and has been in bands since his schooldays. He formed Matumbi in 1970, whose songs include the top ten hit ‘Point of View,‘ and produced Janet Kay‘s huge single ‘Silly Games.’ He has worked with artists as diverse as I Roy, Steel Pulse, Bananarama, Fela Kuti and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Dennis continues to release his own music. June Miles-Kingston is a singer and drummer, best known for co-founding the post-punk band The Mo-dettes (1979–1982).Throughout the 1980s, she lent her drumming and vocal talents to an array of notable British artists across genres like post-punk, new wave, and pop, collaborating with acts such as The Communards and Everything but the Girl. Jeff Perks wears two hats – artist and filmmaker. He graduated from the National Film and Television School in 1978. He has produced and directed films for the BBC’s Omnibus and Arena programmes on artists, cartoonists, punk bands and women comediennes. When Channel Four started, he formed Riverfront Pictures and went on to make over forty films for the new channel. As an artist, his work has appeared at the Whitechapel Art Gallery, Battersea Arts Centre and his first one-man show was at Stockport Art Gallery. His current exhibition John Bull, a collaboration with Michael Rosen, is running at The Green Man Gallery. Author, visual artist and sometime musician Zoë Howe has produced acclaimed biographies of The Slits, Poly Styrene, the Jesus & Mary Chain, Wilko Johnson, Stevie Nicks, Florence + The Machine, Lee Brilleaux and others. Zoë was part of the founding team behind the award-winning documentary Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliché, and she has made radio programmes for Absolute Radio, Resonance FM and Soho Radio amongst others; she currently presents the Rock ’n’ Roll Witch show on Soho Radio. Musically, Zoë has worked with Viv Albertine, Helen McCookery Book, Steve Beresford, Mick Jones & others. Zoë is a Royal Literary Fund writing Fellow at Newnham College, University of Cambridge, and her debut novel Shine On, Marquee Moon was shortlisted for the Virginia Prize for Fiction in 2016. Her next book Witchful Thinking (a handbook for the modern Wise Woman) was published by Llewellyn in 2022. Your Local Arena is a unique project featuring iconic films from the archives of BBC TV’s Arena, the pioneering cultural documentary series. It includes new poems inspired by the Arena films and panel talks to explore the continuing relevance of the Arena archives today. The Your Local Arena concept was developed by Lucy Hannah and Speaking Volumes, with Arena’s award-winning director/editor Anthony Wall as creative consultant, and funded by Arts Council England. Your Local Arena is a Lucy Hannah & Speaking Volumes co-production  featuring BBC Arena’s film archive. Funded by Arts Council England. Previous Next