Bristol Music: Seven Decades of Sound

Exhibition celebrating and debating Bristol’s rich music scene.

“With more festivals than you can shake a stick at, fiercely independent venues and a rich mix of styles, genres and sound, Bristol’s reputation is one of a musical juggernaut.

“The scene since the late 1950s has been nothing but eclectic. Artists from Acker Bilk, The Pop Group and The Wurzels to Rita Lynch, Way Out West and This Is The Kit are just a handful of acts that hail from our harbourside city.

Punks in Bristol, 1982. Pic: Frank Passingham and Simon Edwards

“Is there one definitive ‘Bristol sound’? Are the best days of Bristol music behind us? Where in the city is the heart of musical Bristol?”

Dr Rehan Hyder, Exhibition Advisor and Senior Lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies at UWE Bristol, said: “Bristol emerged as an internationally recognised ‘music city’ towards the end of the last century. The creation of these musical cultures and innovations has been driven not only by artists and producers but crucially by the people of Bristol themselves.

“Attempts to define the ‘Bristol Sound’ have tended to oversimplify music in the city. This exhibition will focus instead on music makers and music lovers across the decades in order to highlight the rich cultural experiences provoked and inspired by the sounds of the city.”

Ray and Barbara Willmott outside the Troubadour Folk Club. Pic: Ian A Anderson

Informed by an advisory group of local music experts including producers, authors, DJs, promoters and venue owners, the exhibition will reveal aspects of Bristol music through a series of zones.

“Flick through hundreds of records in the Shopping for Music section, discovering new bands whilst listening to compilation albums from rock and pop to electronica, punk and reggae.

“Pop some shapes in the mini Club as it goes back in time to momentous nights from five different venues including The Bamboo Club and Motion.

“Have a quick rest in the Festival area, soaking up the floating visuals of Ashton Court festival before a raucous round of car karaoke in a graffitied 90s hatchback. What will be on the stereo – Bananarama or Massive Attack?

“Find out about the city’s most cherished independent venues; who are the performers that got banned permanently from Colston Hall and when did the big music stars come to the city? Where were you when Bowie played the Anson Rooms in 1972?

“Reminisce about first gigs, first records and questionable fashion choices while dressing up and taking selfies in the teenage Bedroom with walls adorned in posters and photos showing why music is so important to people’s lives.

“A variety of films about the significance of different music scenes including reggae, grime and dubstep made by independent film companies and individuals can be watched on sofas in the Lounge.

“A public appeal for stories led to an influx of anecdotes, photographs, fanzines and memorabilia which will appear alongside photography by Mark Simmons and Beezer.

“Mark Simmons captured the 90s clubbing scene for Venue magazine which played a significant role in nurturing and promoting the local arts and entertainments scene. Beezer documented one of the most iconic periods in Bristol’s music history – the 1980s – where the burgeoning scene threw artists such as Roni Size, Mark Stewart and The Wild Bunch (who later went on to form Massive Attack) into the spotlight.”

M Shed, May 19-Sept 30. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm plus Bank Holiday Mondays and Mondays during Bristol school holidays. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Entry: Pay what you think

For more info, visit www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/bristol-music

Main pic: Lice @ Louisiana by Simon Holliday