A new exhibition at the V&A Museum is shining a spotlight on the UK's closed music venues, offering a nostalgic look at London's lost nightlife through hedonistic photos and memorabilia. Titled Lost Music Venues, the exhibition opens on May 30 and features around 150 items from 50 different venues, spanning the 1980s to the 2010s.
Curated by Harriet Read in collaboration with the Music Venue Trust, the exhibition aims to highlight the cultural and creative significance of these spaces. 'I was concerned about the reports during the pandemic and post-pandemic that a lot of venues were struggling and closing. It was an unprecedented situation which was affecting the whole creative sector,' Read said. 'Because of that there's been this increased awareness of music venues and their importance in the creative economy and the music industry.'
Iconic Venues Remembered
Venues featured include the Bull and Gate, London Astoria, Rainbow Theatre, the End, Turnmills, and Plastic People. These spaces were once hubs for early Blur gigs, dubstep nights, and surprise appearances by megastars like Prince. The exhibition includes handwritten Oasis lyrics, the sign from the London Astoria (on loan from Damon Albarn), flyers from Plastic People, and Joan Baez's note of support for Finsbury Park's Rainbow Theatre, which is now a church.
Photographs and Stories
Photographs by Gregory Nolan capture the indie scene explosion, featuring early performances by Kid Harpoon, Florence the Machine, Bloc Party, Maximo Park, and Babyshambles. 'The role of the club photographer declined with the rise of smartphones,' Read noted. 'People might have digital cameras which would have varying results, but you would have someone professional in the crowd.'
Stories from club managers and devoted gig-goers add depth, including tales of Prince turning up at the End and becoming one of the biggest Champagne buyers in the country. Read recalls the 'tail end of places like Madame Jojo's and the Barfly' in the 2010s, where indie discos like White Heat thrived without phones in sight.
Secondhand Nostalgia
For younger visitors who missed these venues' heydays, the exhibition offers 'secondhand nostalgia for something they weren't even there for.' Read hopes it inspires support for local venues and appreciation for their role in the creative economy. Lost Music Venues at V&A South Kensington is free and opens from May 30.
