After sourcing artifacts from over 50 British Venues, more than 150 objects are on display at this unique exhibition set in the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington.
An array of items includes gig posters, membership cards, club photography, band merchandise and subculture fashion staples.
Live performance venues in the UK have a history of showcasing the careers of many celebrated bands. The show will feature such memorabilia including handwritten Oasis lyrics from the tour bus and a Blur set list from their performances.
Other pieces in the exhibition include a pager used to measure noise levels at the Hacienda Club and the exterior sign from the Astoria London loaned by Damon Albarn.
Most of the objects come from the V&A’s call to bring together an exhibition of this theme in recognition of a rich culture of community and creativity once brought together by Britian’s lost venues.
Harriet Reed, Curator of Contemporary Performance, said: “Music venues – be they gig spaces or nightclubs – are not only the lifeblood of the music industry but an integral part of the creative sector. As sites of experimentation, entrepreneurship and artistry they nurture talent and provide vital spaces for connection and community. For this reason, I am thrilled to open Lost Music Venues, the first display at the V&A to celebrate UK venues across four decades, from Plastic People in London to the Roadhouse in Manchester. Developed with the support of Music Venue Trust, Lost Music Venues joyfully celebrates this vital sector and raises awareness of the challenges it faces.”
Free to visit, the display runs from 30 May 2026 until 30 October 2027. For more information visit: Lost Music Venues.
