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A Very Simple Mind - In Conversation with Derek Forbes A Very Simple Mind In Conversation with Derek Forbes Wednesday 22 November, 7.30pm BME is thrilled to host this special in-conversation event for the long-awaited autobiography, A Very Simple Mind from Derek Forbes. Derek will also be playing selected acoustic tracks during the event. Derek Forbes started his musical career as a lead guitarist but soon changed to bass guitarist. He is known for those iconic spine-rattling bass riffs which we recognise in most Simple Minds' songs and he wrote and co-wrote many of the band's earliest classics. Derek is also well known on the international stage as songwriter and bassist for Big Country and Propaganda and has recorded with Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Kirsty MacColl. He won an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection in 2016 for his song writing for Simple Minds, voted best bass player in the World 1982 and best bass player from Scotland in 2010. He still lives in Glasgow and is planning his next tour. “…beneath the distinctive interplay between guitar and keyboards there was a powerful engine with a deep, punchy bass line driving the music forward. Enter Derek Forbes! ” Peter Walsh - Multi award winning record producer Derek will be in conversation with Liverpool's UNESCO Head of Music, Kevin McManus. The in conversation will be followed by a book signing. Books are available to purchase on the evening from Linghams Booksellers. All tickets £8. Please note, our museum galleries are closed during events.

In conversation with Will Sergeant plus book signing Echoes: A Memoir Continued In-conversation with Will Sergeant 24 August 2023 - 7.30pm *SOLD OUT* BME is thrilled to host the book launch event for Will Sergeant’s follow-up memoir, Echoes. Born and raised in a small council house in Melling, outside of Liverpool, Will Sergeant caught with raw honesty his early days in 2021’s Bunnymen: his mother leaving the family, his father damaged no doubt in ways we still don’t understand from World War Two, the demon drink skewering the lives of Will and his siblings. Despite a difficult start – and luckily for adolescent Will -- there was a chance visit to indie club Eric’s in Liverpool, which introduced him to the punk scene…and an alternative musical odyssey began. When Echo & the Bunnymen hit the studio to record their ground-breaking debut Crocodiles, the album was the making of the band, and a cult following began to grow. In Echoes, Will recounts the band’s whirlwind rise to stardom, sharing never-before-told anecdotes, including playing sold-out-shows at Whiskey A Go Go and experiencing the iconic New York club scene, supplemented by photographs of the cultural, social and political scenes at the time. This is a memoir to savour. Will Sergeant is a founding member of Echo & The Bunnymen. He has been cited as an influence for many bands and artists internationally, including U2, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Radiohead. He lives in the north west of England and still tours across the world to this day with his band. Will is in-conversation with Liverpool’s UNESCO Head of Music, Kevin McManus. The in-conversation will be followed by a book signing. Books are available to purchase on the evening from Linghams Booksellers. Tickets £8 - on sale Friday 7 July, 10am

Book event with author Daniel Rachel. This Ain't Rock 'n' Roll Book event with author Daniel Rachel Thursday 6 November, 7.30pm Pop Music, the swastica and the Third Reich Over the last seven decades, some of rock 'n' roll's most celebrated figureheads have flirted with the imagery and theatre of the Third Reich. From Keith Moon and Vivian Stanshall kitting themselves out in Nazi uniforms to Siouxsie Sioux and Sid Vicious brandishing swastikas in the pomp of punk, generations of performers have associated themselves in troubling ways with the aesthetics, mass hysteria and even ideology of Nazism. Whether shock factor, stupidity, or crass attempt at subversion, rock 'n' roll has indulged these associations in a way not accepted by any other artform. But how accountable should fans, the media, and the music industry be for what has often seemed a sleazy fascination with the eroticised perversions of a fascist regime? In This Ain't Rock 'n' Roll, award-winning music historian Daniel Rachel navigates these turbulent waters with extraordinary delicacy and care, asking us to look anew at the artists that have defined us, inspired us and given us joy - and consider why so many have been drawn to the imagery of a movement responsible for the twentieth century's worst atrocities. Alongside a sensitive history of the Holocaust and an examination of the place it holds in our cultural consciousness, Rachel asks essential questions of actions often overlooked or underplayed, whilst neither casting sweeping judgement nor offering easy answers. In doing so, he asks us to reassess the history of rock 'n' roll and sheds new light on the grim echoes of the Third Reich in popular culture and the legacy of twentieth (and twenty-first) century history as it defines us today. Join us as Daniel discusses the themes in his latest book with Mike Morris, Co-Director and founder of Writing on the Wall. Books will be available to buy on the evening and can be signed. Daniel and Mike will be further supported by the Merseyside branch of Stand Up to Racism who will be selling merch and giving out information. All tickets £8. Book Now Daniel Rachel Daniel Rachel is a former musician turned award-winning and bestselling author. His previous books include Too Much Too Young: Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation (aTimes, Uncut, Rough Trade US and Resident Musicbook of the year) and Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters (a Guardian and NME book of the year). He lives in London. Please note, our museum galleries are closed during events.

We welcome one of the most influential and iconic figures in the electronic music industry, Rusty Egan, to the BME for an in conversation event and DJ set. Rusty Egan: In Conversation and DJ Set Thursday 27 November, 7.30pm 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. All tickets £12 (books sold separately). BOOK NOW

See You Down the Front Podcast present a night of acoustic music from aclaimed North-West artists. Absolute Acoustic Thur s day 27 February - from 7.30pm We’re thrilled to welcome three outstanding, storytelling singer-songwriters for the next edition of the See You Down The Front podcast’s Absolute Acoustic series. Topping the bill on this occasion is the wonderful Toria Wooff, who is joined by Joe Martin and Greg Oldfield for what promises to be a vivid and compelling evening of songcraft. A painter, poet, songwriter and storyteller, music is just one facet of Toria Wooff’s wildly creative imagination which metamorphoses in many forms. Steeped in gothic romanticism, pagan and Germanic tradition, Toria’s unique view of the world is enchanted by an alchemy of ‘70s sound and vision. Joe Martin is a modern-day troubadour; a seasoned songwriter and performer having played to tens of thousands of people across the UK and Europe over the past decade. His musical journey has seen him collaborate with some of Nashville’s top songwriters including Johnny Garcia of Garth Brooks’ band, hit writer Jill Collucci and Aaron Raitiere at RCA studios on Music Row. His sound is deeply rooted in the classic American style, with storytelling and lyrics a main focus of Joe’s songwriting. Honing his sound over the years on the road, Joe’s personal stories have culminated in his debut album ‘Empty Passenger Seat’ which has been released to much acclaim. Greg Oldfield has been at the forefront of the Halton music scene with his own popular Industrial Folk genre and its successful Smoking Dragons project. A singer/songwriter with songs that reflect local interest, that sit with words that resound, and characters that you seem to know even if you haven’t met them yet. All tickets £10. Bar open from 6.30pm. Please note, our museum galleries are closed during events. Toria Wooff Greg Oldfield Joe Martin

Celebrate Halloween at the BME with our screening of the 1986 Frank Oz classic. Halloween Film Night Little Shop of Horrors 28 October 2021 - 7pm 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? Please note, our museum galleries are closed during film screenings. 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)

Screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Film Night at the Museum: The Rocky Horror Picture Show Screening date: October 29 2020 Event start time: 7:00pm £7.50 / £6 concession, Independent Liverpool member (ID required) 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.

Premiere of Red Rum Club Live at Mountford Hall plus Q&A Red Rum Club Live at Mountford Hall Film Screening + Band Q&A with Peter Hooton 27 December - 7pm Join us for the concert film premiere of Red Rum Club Live at Mountford Hall Liverpool, followed by an in-conversation with the band and The Farm's Peter Hooton. The film features the band's huge sold out Liverpool show on the 23 October. Relive the gig and see exclusive behind the scenes footage from the tour and that unforgettable night. Very limited tickets available from See Tickets https://www.seetickets.com/event/red-rum-club-concert-film-premiere/the-british-music-experience/2155629 Please note, our galleries will be closed during the event. Film starts at 7.30pm.

Rolling Stone: Life and Death of Brian Jones screening at the British Music Experience Rolling Stone: Life and Death of Brian Jones 15 July - 7pm This event has been rescheduled from its original date. Directed by Danny Garcia (The Rise and Fall of The Clash/Looking for Johnny/Sad Vacation/STIV), ‘Rolling Stone: Life and Death Of Brian Jones’ is the first feature length documentary to be produced about the founder and original leader of The Rolling Stones. In the mid 60’s, Brian Jones emerged as 'the face' and poster boy of the Bohemian Swingin’ London scene, topping the charts with The Rolling Stones and dating model/actress Anita Pallenberg. However, his excessive lifestyle and his reputation as ' the original bad boy of Rock & Roll' was to cost him dearly. As the scene descended into the acid ridden year of 1967 so did Brian. Targeted by the authorities and media, he spiralled out of control losing both Anita and the respect of the Stones. Two years later, Brian was found at the bottom of his swimming pool, the verdict: death by misadventure. During the last 50 years many theories have emerged, claiming that Brian was murdered and that it was covered up at high level, as ‘Rolling Stone: Life and Death Of Brian Jones’ discovers- the evidence for this is extremely compelling. Director: Danny Garcia Cast: Brian Jones, Prince Stash Klossowski, Chris Salewicz, Dick Taylor, Simon Wells, Stephen Woolley Running Time: 96 minutes Certificate: 15 'This film is beautifully put together and totally engrossing from start to finish'. Irvine Welsh 'Rolling Stone: Life and Death of Brian Jones is a frank, attention-stealing tribute and worthwhile addition to any Stones enthusiasts collection, and sees a long-time fan marking his own territory on the subject like a wolf......it's very good. Maybe his (Garcia's) best.' 8/10 Louder than War Please note there are no ads and trailers. Museum galleries are closed during film screenings. Tickets: £7.50 / £6 concession or Independent Liverpool member (ID required)

Join us at the BME as we screen the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest live from Malmo. Eurovision Grand Final Screening 11 May 2024 - doors 6.30pm Eurovision 2023 was the biggest party Liverpool has ever hosted, and we’re ready to do it all over again at the BME! We’re screening the Eurovision 2024 Grand Final LIVE from Malmö and this year we’re Dizzy with excitement for Olly Alexander! So, if you’re still Making Your Mind Up about where to go…look no further. This is your chance to revel in the ABBA-solute joy of Europe’s most inclusive night of the year, 50 years on from Abba’s legendary win with Waterloo. Get your flags out, your most flamboyant glad rags on and join us for our Eurovision party right in the middle of the museum. You’ll be surrounded by hundreds of iconic pieces of British Music memorabilia, including Sam Ryder's Eurovision 2022 Space Man outfit and our temporary exhibition Girl Power – Spice Girls at 30. Grab your seat in front of the big screen for a fabulous night of pop where dancing, singing and flag-waving is highly encouraged! The bar will be open for the whole night, serving everything from Bucks Fizz (of course!) and Gina G&T. You’ll be in a state of Euphoria as we celebrate Malmö’s place in Eurovision history! All tickets £20. On sale Friday 16 February 2024, 10am.

Jenny Colquitt and Thom Morecroft perform as part of our special Christmas acoustic session in the Star Cafe. Jenny Colquitt & Thom Morecroft Christmas Café Acoustic Session 8 December 2022 - 7.30pm Join us for music, mulled wine and mince pies at our Christmas acoustic evening in the Star Café bar with award-winning artist Jenny Colquitt. Named as one of RnR Magazines 'Ones to watch for 2022', emerging artist Jenny encompasses a unique combination of Americana, indie and folk rock and pop. Winner of the 2021/2022 FATEA 'Female artist of the Year' award and the 2020/2021 GSMC Award for best female solo singer/songwriter, Jenny's music is described as fit for film and storytelling at its finest. A voice that uniquely combines the melodic undertones of artists such as Eva Cassidy and the rawness of Alanis Morissette. She writes with soul, lyrical vulnerability and style to accompany her musicality both through keys and guitar. Joining Jenny on the bill is the excellent singer/songwriter Thom Morecroft who has lived, played and worked in Liverpool for the last 11 years. He has released one mini album, two EPs, one studio album and two singles, and his work has been praised by Paul Du Noyer, founding editor of Mojo magazine, and by Tom Robinson of 6 Music. September Entry is free but a collection will be taken to help the Paper Cup Project which assists homeless and rough sleepers across Liverpool by providing food, clothing, support and signposting towards statutory services. S eats allocated on a first come first served basis. The Star Café Bar is located off the main museum foyer. Doors 6.45pm. Curfew 9.30pm. Jenny Colquitt Thom Morecroft

An evening of conversation with music writer Penny Kiley, followed by a DJ set in the bar by resident Eric's DJ Norman Killon. Atypical Girl - In conversation with Penny Kiley Plus DJ set in the Star Café & Bar with Eric's DJ, Norman Killon 5 March 2026, from 7.30pm We're delighted to welcome music writer Penny Kiley to the British Music Experience for the launch of her memoir Atypical Girl. Penny was Liverpool correspondent for Melody Maker during the post-punk years of the last 1970s and early 80s, wrote for Smash Hits and was also pop columnist for the Liverpool Echo. She was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 60 and Atypical Girl begins as a coming of age story and ends as a midlife intervention. What unites them is a search for identity and the role that music plays in all our lives. In 1977 and punk has hit Liverpool. The legendary Eric's club is home to the city's rebels, posers and misfits. It's a place of attitude, adventure and new possibilities. Some become pop stars, Penny Kiley becomes a music journalist. The story traces Penny's relationship with the music scene from the turbulent political 1980s into the changing culture of the 21st century. Throughout the years, she never stops being a misfit and the question remains: how do you navigate normal life when punk is dead and you don't know you're autistic? Penny will be in conversation with award-winning Liverpool writer and lecturer Jeff Young, plus there will be a DJ set in the museum cafe bar from resident Eric's DJ Norman Killon. Atypical Girl is published by Birlinn Ltd and copies will be on sale on the night for Penny to sign. All tickets £12 (books sold separately)