Wicked
£9.99An upcoming exhibition at the V&A Museum in Kensington will focus on the lost music venues of London. The museum is seeking contributions from Londoners in the form of “artefacts and music ephemera” from closed venues throughout the capital. The goal of the exhibition is to emphasize the significance of music culture in London and raise awareness about the rapid decline of venues, especially grassroots spaces.
With over 3,000 venues closed in London since the onset of the pandemic, including bars, pubs, and nightclubs, the exhibition titled ‘Lost Music Venues’ aims to showcase the historical importance of these spaces. Submissions are welcome in various forms such as flyers, photographs, DJ gear, setlists, and clothing from venues that operated in London from 1988 to 2025. This initiative comes at a time when reports indicate a troubling trend of declining nightlife establishments in the city.
A recent study by Capital on Tap forecasts that 57% of London’s pubs and clubs could be forced to close by the year 2030, leading to a significant decrease in the number of venues. The current count of 8,457 pubs and clubs in London is expected to drop to 3,617 within the next five years if this trend continues. The V&A Museum has not yet announced an official opening date for the exhibition, but submissions of music ephemera and artefacts are being accepted via email until May 31st.
As the music industry continues to face challenges with venue closures, the ‘Lost Music Venues’ exhibition at the V&A Museum serves as a poignant reminder of the rich history of London’s live music scene. Londoners are encouraged to contribute to this showcase of cultural heritage before the submission deadline to help preserve the memory of these lost venues
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