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Radiohead are an English rock band created in 1985 in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The members are Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway. Since 1994, the band have worked with producer Nigel Goodrich and album cover artist Stanley Donwood. They signed to label EMI in 1991 and two years later released their debut album,  “Pablo Honey” in 1993. Their debut song “Creep” was a success worldwide and it only increased in 1995 with their next release, album “The Bends”.

After further well-received albums, they released their fourth album “Kid A” (2000), which marked a move into other genres including a blend of electronic, jazz, classical and krautrock – a German experimental rock genre translating to “cosmic music”. After six albums with EMI, the group began releasing self produced albums, controversially releasing their seventh album for download only, where fans would pay however much they wanted. There was no lead single though multiple songs from the album still got played on the radio. The album received barely any promotion yet it was still widely successful. Now they are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after being inducted in 2019.

Due to their success and contributions to the rock genre, it’s no surprise that their artworks are iconic too. Having worked with Stanley Donwood, the same album designer since 1994, the artworks will be available to see at the show.

In an interview whilst talking about “Kid A”, Donwood said, “So Thom rented a place in an old warehouse in Bath afterwards, and we got a load of massive canvases and a load of paint brought in. And I hadn’t painted since I was doing A-level art or something. Me and Thom were up all night making loads of covers for Kid A. But it wasn’t called Kid A. They all said “Radiohead” on them, but they all had different titles. I don’t know, 20, 30, 40 different covers with titles.”

The sheer amount of time put into one album cover shows just why the designs are still iconic to this day, warranting such an exhibit as the one to be shown next year. It’s no surprise that in 2001, Donwood won a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package for his limited edition cover of album “Amnesiac”.  

The museum exhibit will be on 8 August 2025 to 11 January 2026 at Ashmolean Museum in Oxford – more information can be found here. Tickets go on sale April 2025. 

The gallery took to their Instagram to announce the exciting news.

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A press release for the upcoming exhibition provides a summary of the new experience. “this unique experience will showcase unseen Marley photographs and memorabilia whilst immersing audiences on a journey through his lifestyle, passions, influences, and enduring legacy.”

The exhibition starts with the Music Room, the area will include such artefacts as the artist’s lyrics, awards and his many accolades. The room’s main attraction is one of the world’s largest records in which celebrates the iconic album Legend. The famed compilation album by Bob Marley and the Wailers was released in May 1984 and has become one the highest selling reggae album throughout history. The album has sold an estimated 25 million copies globally and includes such beloved songs as “Buffalo Soldier” and “Redemption Song“.

Ticketholders will then continue to the One Love Forest; the exhibition’s instalment will explore Jamaica with accompanying visuals of Marley’s back catalogue. The multi-sensory experience utilises sounds and smells to transport the visitor into Marley’s world. The exhibition next takes the visitor to their own private party with a silent disco. The musical centrepiece of the exhibition, Soul Shakedown Studio, aims to move the crowd whilst providing a musical education like none other.

Once you can dance no longer the visitor will continue their journey to the Beautiful Life Zone. The area celebrates and observes some of Marley’s passions in life. The zone celebrates the singer’s love for family as well as football, ticketholders will be able to experience Marley’s passion for the sport in a game room. Within the specially created space, visitors will be able to snap a picture whilst playing goalie with Marley and bring home a unique souvenir of their visit.

Ticketholders will continue their visit to the Concrete Jungle Street Art Expo through construction of a backstage corridor from a Marley Concert. Once in the area, visitors can see original artwork by famed artist Mr Brainwash. The French-born street artist has exhibited at Saatchi Gallery before, in October 2013 the artist was involved in Art Wars. The exhibition was curated by Ben Moore and saw Mr Brainwash transform a stormtrooper helmet into a piece of art. The Expo will also feature artwork submitted by fans, details on how to submit your Marley inspired work can be found via the website.

The exhibition comes to a close with the Next Gen Zone, within the final area visitors can honour the artist’s legacy with a focus on Marley’s charity work. The philanthropic work of Marley’s wife Rita, their children and grandchildren are also highlighted. Visitors can leave their own stamp on the exhibition; a message of love can be left on the One Love Tree to be enjoyed and read by other visitors. The message can also be a reflection of your experience at the exhibition or personal documentation of Marley’s influence.

Cedella Marley, CEO of Bob Marley Group of Companies has provided the following statement, “We’ve been wanting to launch a Bob Marley touring exhibit for many years and we’re thrilled to see it come to life and debut in London, which had a very special place in Daddy’s heart. The experience can be enjoyed by all generations and we look forward to continuing to spread Daddy’s music and message to the globe”

General admission tickets go on sale from 19th November 2021, a special pre-sale ticket release for Bob Marley Facebook and Fanclub members was made available today. On 18th November 2021 at 10 am a Ticketmaster and VIP ticket pre-sale will be made available.

Click here to purchase tickets.

Doherty has taken to Twitter to announce the news.

Peter Doherty v Barlinnie prison is an exhibition exploring prison reform, rehabilitation and redemption between Scottish prisoners and Peter.

Tickets here: https://t.co/H6gEZ0TOny pic.twitter.com/wP4mEKqR3Z

— Peter Doherty (@petedoherty) June 16, 2021

The exhibition entitled ‘Peter Doherty V Barlinnie Prison’ will feature art created during a one-day workshop attended by inmates of Barlinnie prison. Eleven prisoners will be chosen to attend the class, those chosen to take part are from various walks of life, each with their own story to convey. Those involved are from diverse backgrounds, communities and education, the prisoners will also range in ages from 19-65. The budding artists will attend the class in July 2021 and will be using Doherty as the subject of their life drawings. The creative event will take place at Fife College, within the college’s art rooms. The art produced by the eleven attendees will be displayed alongside artwork created by Doherty which exhibit the singer’s impact on popular culture and display his place within the zeitgeist, each artwork will also be chosen by the exhibition’s curator Joe Henry.

Joe Henry, who is also an artist, is no stranger to working with rockstars. The exhibition’s curator has produced work inspired by such names as David Bowie, The Clash and fashion icon Alexander McQueen. Hailing from Scotland himself, Henry has spoken on what ticket holders can expect from his exhibition with Doherty, Henry also speaks of his admiration for Doherty and compares the singer to the revolutionary artist Jean Michel Basquiat.

“I’ve always been a fan of Pete Doherty. His poetry and his music have influenced a generation. His artwork has the same chaotic punk energy of his sound and is similar in style to the art of Jean Michel Basquiat. This exhibition will see Pete on a different platform, behind the prison gates of Scotland’s toughest prison, Barlinnie. Working with mixed media artists, using Doherty as their canvas to work from. We are hoping by staging this event, that this will inspire the participating artists on their road to recovery and bring the conversation of prison reform to a bigger audience.”

Barlinnie Prison, colloquially called The Big Hoose and Bar-L by locals, has a history of reform in prison. In 1967 an extension was built on the prison and is now a special unit which specialises on rehabilitation. The governor of the prison, Mick Stoney, has also spoken about the new exhibition. Stoney further emphasises the positive effect in which art has within life in prison.

“Art in prison provides the opportunity for expression and is a form of coping, creating something positive and a chance for the men to see themselves as something different. This project provides an injection of energy that prisons often need to support engagement and change. The chance to have their art displayed publicly will be affirmation that they can create a new identity and have the skill to contribute positively, a unique project which I hope leads to positive outcomes for all involved”.

Other features at the exhibition include a Disco Punk DJ Set from Doherty and Bosco on the opening night, the chance to see the work from photographers Sarah Thompson and Pauline Darley and an essay written by Christopher Bailey. Bailey is the head of art at World Health Organisation, an agency tasked with the responsibility for international public health. His essay will be part of an introduction to the exhibition, which focuses on the importance of creative activities within confinement as a form of freedom and healing.

Doherty is famously no stranger to ‘chaotic punk energy’, the ‘What a Waster’ performer was in prison himself. Even more famous than the singer’s wild youth is Doherty’s use of words. He has been compared to many literary figures and has been described as a present-day Jack Kerouac, the famed writer of the 1957 novel ‘On the Road’ who would become famed for his wild life as well as his talent. With such talent and experience behind him, Doherty is the perfect figure in which to spread the exhibition’s message of reform and hope.

The Libertines UK Tour

20/11/2021 – Margate Winter Gardens – Margate
25/11 – O2 Academy – Bournemouth
26/11 – Brighton Centre – Brighton
27/11 – The Nick Rayns LCR – Norwich
29/11 – O2 Academy Birmingham – Birmingham
30/11 – O2 Academy Leeds – Leeds
01/12 – Usher Hall – Edinburgh
03/12 – O2 Academy – Newcastle
04/12 – Mountford Hall – Liverpool
06/12 – Manchester Academy – Manchester
07/12 – O2 Academy Leicester – Leicester
09/12 – The Great Hall – Cardiff
10/12 – O2 Forum – London
11/12 – O2 Forum – London
13/12 – O2 Academy – Bristol
14/12 – Rock City – Nottingham
16/12 – O2 Academy – Sheffield