In 2006, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not became a landmark debut, its smoke-filled cover became one of the most recognisable images in modern music.
20 years to the day after its release, Don’t Believe the Hype invites visitors behind the curtain of the album’s iconic cover, revealing outtakes, inspiration, artefacts and everyday moments that presented youth culture of the time.
Far from marketing gloss or staged performance, the album’s artwork emerged from real nights out, shared spaces, waiting around, and unremarkable details that later took on cultural meaning.
For the first time, see the material that shaped the cover, including the original photograph that inspired it.
UNSEEN IMAGES AND ARTEFACTS
THE ORIGINAL INSPIRATION BEHIND THE COVER PHOTO
THE STORIES FROM THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE
Past Exhibitions
Don’t Believe The Hype... Uncovering the Artwork of Arctic Monkeys’ Debut Album
23 January - 7 June 2026
