The story of British music through costumes, instruments, performance & memorabilia.
1945–1962
From Reconstruction to Rock ’n’ Roll
Post-war Britain was reshaped not just by politics and rebuilding, but by sound. American jazz, blues and rhythm & blues filtered into clubs, radio and youth culture, while skiffle opened the door for teenagers to make music themselves.
By the end of the 1950s, rock ’n’ roll had transformed British pop into something louder, younger and more independent — setting the stage for a generation ready to redefine modern culture.
1962–1966
Britain Goes Global
British artists didn’t just find success overseas in the early 1960s — they reshaped international pop culture. Bands, singers and designers projected a confident new image of Britain that blended music, fashion and art into a recognisable style.
As the country emerged from austerity, youth culture became a powerful creative force and London briefly stood at the centre of the cultural world.
1966–1970
Experimentation and Expansion
Pop music became more exploratory in the late 1960s, absorbing ideas from visual art, politics, technology and global sounds.
Albums grew in importance, festivals created new shared experiences, and musicians began to treat recording itself as a creative instrument. This was a period when British music widened its horizons and audiences started to listen differently.
1970–1975
Glamour, Theatre and Reinvention
Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, pop offered spectacle and transformation. Glam rock embraced performance, identity play and visual excess, turning artists into characters and concerts into events.
Music became more theatrical and stylised, reflecting both escapism and a growing confidence in pop as a cultural art form in its own right.
1975–1985
Voices of Change
As Britain faced unemployment, social division and political tension, music responded with urgency and invention.
Punk challenged expectations about who could make music and what it could say, while reggae, ska and new wave reshaped the sound of British streets and clubs. Pop became faster, sharper and more connected to everyday experience.
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1985–1993
Technology, Clubs and New Scenes
New recording tools, new media and new nightlife cultures transformed how music was made and shared.
Dance music moved from underground spaces into the mainstream, regional scenes gained national attention, and large-scale global events showed the growing reach of British artists.
Music was no longer tied to a single centre — it was happening everywhere at once.
1993–2004
Identity and Pop Revival
British music entered a period of renewed self-confidence in the 1990s, with guitar bands, visual art and fashion contributing to a broader cultural moment.
At the same time, chart pop became increasingly global and media-driven. As the millennium approached, digital technologies began quietly reshaping how audiences discovered and collected music.
2004–Present
The Digital Generation
Streaming, social platforms and talent shows transformed how artists build audiences and how listeners engage with music.
Styles blurred across genres and communities, and British artists continued to influence global charts while working in entirely new ways.
Today’s music landscape is more open, diverse and connected than ever before — and still evolving.
Past Exhibitions
Don’t Believe The Hype... Uncovering the Artwork of Arctic Monkeys’ Debut Album
23 January - 7 June 2026
Live Aid 40: Music, Power & Unity
5 June 2025 - 18 January 2026
ABBA Voyage - Phoenix Collection Outfits
20 April - 10 September 2023