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The exhibition will take place on 3 May in Covent Garden, the same day as her live performance at OVO Arena in London as part of her What Happened To The Earth tour. In a recent press release, the singer revealed that the exhibition will be an artistic exploration that “blends art, fashion, and digital innovation in an intimate setting”.  The 28-year-old singer has been blending ethereal dark-pop sounds with electronic influence since her debut EP ‘Running With The Wolves’ in 2015. The collection of songs follows a thread of sombre folklore and a dreamy sonic integrity which the singer has held since she began writing the second track on the project ‘Running With The Wolves’ at aged 13. 

The song shows an authentic, unapologetic voice following the opening track ‘Runaway’, a fan favourite which AURORA has since released in piano and orchestral versions. She has also made a documentary on the impact this song has had on her career titled. The documentary, ‘Portrait of a Song’, is available to watch on YouTube.

Since her first release, the singer has made seven EPs and five studio albums including her latest in 2024 ‘What Happened To The Heart’. The album has a natural focus that has been prevalent throughout her discography, including the song ‘Some Type Of Skin’ – the namesake of her exhibition. The event is said to explore the evolution of her discography as well as display a curation of looks and props that have been integral to her musical narrative. 

‘What Happened To The Heart’ breaks down digital and human barriers for connection. In an interview with DIY magazine, she explains the thoughts that led to its creation, sharing “The world is dying; our home is rotting, burning up, and we are engaging in meaningless wars that put resources over human lives. I think a lot of us look at the world and wonder: what happened?”. Her commentary on the state of the world was highlighted similarly in her role as New Music Ambassador for War Child UK, as well has with her single ‘Through The Eyes Of A Child’ which featured on the hit show Adolescence– a staggering Netflix series commentating on the experience of youth in the digital age.  

Her latest album has seemingly inspired the singer to explore her place in the art world with this upcoming exhibition as well as her PAUSE collection of art prints and her latest book release, ‘What Happened To The Heart’. She has expressed the book’s vulnerability to fans stating, “I’d prefer if you’ve read it alone in your room”.

AURORA has recently released a fresh new single ‘The Flood’, a soft dreamy soundscape which she has shared alongside visuals of choreography in an angel inspired look.   

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Sign-up for tickets of the Some Type of Skin exhibition can be found here, along with tickets to her UK and EU tour on her website.

The exhibition will cover music from older styles such as jazz and lovers rock, to more recent genres such as jungle, grime and drill, honouring the DIY spirit of Black British music.

The exhibition starts with the arrival of the Southern Syncopated Orchestra in London from the U.S in 1919, continuing through to Fuse ODG’s afrobeat response to ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ in 2024.

The history will be told through “vintage mixtapes, iconic magazine covers, and fly-posted walls”, exploring how Black British genres have impacted music as we know it, and the spirit of resistance that made them possible.

Scott Leonard, one of the UK’s experts in black music, has curated the exhibition with author Lloyd Bradley. Talking to the BBC, Leonard stressed the need for an authentic retelling of Black British music history: “Too often in this country, black cultural heritage is packaged presented to the people by those that weren’t there, so this type of exhibition at Barbican Music Library and the ‘heritage collecting’ days reverse the lens.

“They enable and empower the British black music community to tell their stories of what it was, and what it meant to them, because they must be captured and preserved before these stories disappear forever.”

Mr Leonard said the exhibition shows how the genres may have changed “but the culture and process didn’t”, drawing comparison between notable artists – “So Lord Kitchener, Eddy Grant, Carroll Thompson, The Cookie Crew, Jazzie B, Ms Dynamite, and Dizzie Rascal all followed the same guidelines,”

The free exhibition is part of Destination City, the City of London Corporation’s growth strategy for the Square Mile as a dynamic, world-leading hub for business, culture and leisure.

The organisation invests over £130m every year in heritage and cultural activities in the UK, also managing other institutions such as Tower Bridge, Guildhall Art Gallery and The London Archives.

In a press release, Chris Hayward from the City of London Corporation shared his enthusiasm for the Black British museum project: “With its many styles and charismatic performers, Black Sound London will strike a chord with everyone who enjoys listening to British black music and is keen to find out how LP sales in niche record shops, air time on pirate radio stations, and community spaces played a key role in its success.”

Black Sound London will run at the Barbican Library from March 10 to July 19 – more details can be found here.

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 The ‘library’ is made up of tens of thousands of items from Jones’ personal collection, gathered over his lifetime. This includes stage-worn clothing, original posters for his shows, and musical equipment from his time in The Clash, as well as a variety of physical media which audiences are encouraged to engage with.   

Alongside the new exhibition, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Public Library are launching a magazine to act as a portable version or the archive. Their first issue is DIY-themed, paying homage to the self-sufficient spirit of the early punk movement, and acts as a parallel to the zine, which were written, designed, and printed by fans.

Comment byu/janalisin from discussion inpunk

 DIY culture was a central pillar of punk, with bands releasing their own music through independent labels, and choosing to make their own unique clothing, all in an effort to be self-sufficient, and not rely on the music industry. The Clash emerged from this world, but quickly signed to CBS records for £100,000, prompting accusations of selling out. Mark Perry, founder of influential punk zine Sniffin’ Glue, declared, “Punk died the day The Clash signed to CBS.”  

Kirk Lane, one part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Public Library Team, describes the collection as charting the journey of an imaginary figure as they meander through childhood into art and music. “This [current] exhibition expands on and complements the first issue of the magazine which is a general overview of the archive,” said Lake.  

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The exhibition’s immersive style, ranging from rooms resembling a mid-century living room to books of handwritten notes that guests are free to browse, will feel familiar to visitors of Davd Bowie Is and The Beatles Story. This project is more hands-on, however, actively encouraging visitors to handle many of the items, and read the hundreds of books that make up the archive. 

Jones has expressed a desire to find a permanent home for the ever-changing exhibition, saying at one of the very first exhibitions in 2009, “I’d like to have a permanent place to exhibit the whole collection… like a library where you can come and see the stuff and maybe get a copy or sit there and read it.”

Though many fans of Jones and The Clash will want to visit the exhibition, the limited duration and location will leave many relying on the magazine to get their fill. Described as a “ragged map to aid further exploration and inspire creation,” it will initially be sold exclusively at the exhibition before becoming available online and in selected shops. 

 With each issue exploring a new theme, the project invites readers into Jones’ obsession with pop culture, a physical link between today and a world that has almost entirely disappeared. The exhibition is open until 16 March and is free to all visitors.

The exhibition features four short films  alongside a behind the scenes look at how the collective use music and film to champion authenticity and self-expression. The films seek to raise awareness of topics many may find uncomfortable, yet the aim is to help people feel seen. The topics include racisms, sexisms, and harassment.

The Spit Game is a collective of artists, actors, models, producers and creatives who represent young Black London cultures.

‘My Kind of Black’ is the latest exhibition at @SciGalleryLon produced in collaboration with The Spit Game UK.

Open Wed-Sat from 11-6pm the exhibition explores how music and film can be used to champion authenticity and self-expression. ⬇️

https://t.co/AaxEX0ty8L pic.twitter.com/zXYbOj5Yok

— King's College London (@KingsCollegeLon) August 14, 2024

The Spit Game UK is part of the RAP CLUB Collective, which is an organisation boasting a unique approach to modern music education that can be thoroughly embedded within school curriculums and extra-curricular projects. It is championed as an enabler of social mobility by Teach First, the National Lottery, BBC Children in Need and TES. The website outlines the importance of music for their mission:

Through our music, we champion and celebrate the vibrancy of young Black talent.

RAP CLUB projects have performed multiple times at Wembley Arena, The Royal Albert Hall, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, as well as featuring on BBC London News and a performance alongside Arcade Fire on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.

The project, created by Benjamin Turner, was initially launched to engage young children from disadvantaged backgrounds, offering them an opportunity to channel their creativity into crafting and expressing their own positive stories and future aspirations.

Turner has described the formation of Spit Game, telling the London Science Gallery: “The Spit Game has been a collective since autumn 2021, but the project actually started in 2016 when I started teaching at my first school. There I started a Rap Club project – going from after-school club to performing at Wembley Arena. The Spit Game launched us into industry and massively grew our audience. The collective is driven by authenticity, community and excellence, championing the vibrant potential of young Black talent and cultures.”

In describing the exhibition, Spit Club wrote:

We invite you to watch the films and take a look behind-the-scenes to discover how we use music and film to champion authenticity and self-expression. Then step into the Spit Game Studio, and give voice to your own kind of creativity.

The exhibition also includes an interactive studio space where visitors can engage with the creative process.

The exhibition culminates in “Help! I think my teacher is racist,” a short film that was commissioned by the Science Gallery that draws on research and personal experience to highlight issues in the education system and their impact on the mental health of Black learners.

Entry to the exhibition is free of charge. For more information on the event, see here.

The British Library were required to shut down events at the building due to what they described as ‘planned electrical work’ which was scheduled due to major technology outage as a result of a cyber-attack‘ throughout the last week of June, however the doors to ‘Beyond the Baseline’ re-opened as of noon on the 30th of June so that history buffs and music lovers alike can spend the summer enjoying the spectacular array of artifacts and immersive artworks.

According to an article by RAWSTORY the exhibit is ‘made up of five sections’ beginning with ‘ “Ocean”, which explores the black British music’s fraught colonial past’ and ending with ‘ “Cyberspace”, which examines the modern-day impacts of technology and the rising mainstream popularity of black British artists.’

‘Beyond the Bassline’ will run till the 24th of August and features historical artifacts — such as the tuning fork gifted to black violinist George Bridgetower by Beethoven as a token of their friendship after the duos inaugural performance of their piece ‘Kreutzer’ as well as the 16ft tall peacock costume designed by Leeds Carnival veteran Hughbon Condor who has been creating costumes for over 50 years.

Talking to AFP, Aleema Gray who has curated the exhibit, sees it as a “journey… through time and space”. Gray mentioned that the use of “we” and “our” in the text labels that accompany many of the instillations are intended directly address visitors “like is we are speaking to” them. The target audience of the exhibition is “young people, music fans and people of African and Caribbean heritage community”, primarily those who have previously felt unwelcome at institutions such as the British Library .

The British Library have worked in collaboration with a number of community organisations across the UK for create sound scapes and moving images as well as a dance video which was filmed in Cardiff on the coast by the group Jukebox Collective as well as and an installation imitating a church which honours  influence of religion on black British music.

The final section is a immersive short film by the name  Iwoyi, created by director and producer Tayo Rapoport and Rohan Ayinde in collaboration the group Touching Bass. Touching Bass are a South London based  musical movement/curatorial platform who host monthly dances, concert series as well as sustain their own record label and biweekly NTS Radio residency. You can watch the promotional video for the short film below which features on the groups Instagram.

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You can check out tickets for the event on the Seetickets website here.

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The message detailed that Big Jeff was in a stable condition in a specialist burns unit in Swansea and asked people to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.

A true legend of the Bristol music scene, I myself remember his head frequently bobbing at the front of nearly every show I went to when I lived in the city. He began going to shows while at college as a means of coping with his anxiety and to give him reason to leave his accommodation which was often a great source of it. Gigs became a safe space for him where he could escape judgment and enjoy the music he loved, and before long he could be seen on the front row of multiple shows a week.

Having now racked up attendance at over 4000 shows since his days at college as reported by the BBC, Big Jeff has also turned his attention to being an artist over the years and quite a celebrated one at that. Placing as a finalist in this years Bristol Life Awards, Jeff’s exhibition “Welcome To My World” drew great acclaim from fellow artists and critics in the Bristol scene. Explaining the intention of his work on his website, he says “The aim of this work is to surprise and challenge the viewer. It is intended to instigate conversations”. He then goes on to describe how art has been a great personal help to him in expressing emotions that aren’t always easy to discuss “Art for me has been about expressing emotions I can’t explain another way. These paintings highlight my issues with barriers and hidden anxiety and mental health. How people see me is one thing – but internally I sometimes feel completely different. I use art as a way of expressing things that aren’t always easy to discuss”. 

A shining light and a true ambassador for Bristol and the South West, Big Jeff has long been an avid music lover and entrenched force for good in the UK. We wish him the swiftest of recoveries and hope to see him down on the front row again soon.

Fans of either Yorke or Donwood may notice some familiar designs laced through the promotional material, the band’s famous bear logo can be seen transformed into a dot-to-dot, and an early draft of now fan-favourite ‘Nude’. But aside from any repeated imagery, it’s immediately clear who this exhibition is from. The menacing existentialism clearly points toward a Donwood, Yorke pairing. So far, there is little information on tickets for the exhibition, but watch this space for updates in the, hopefully, not so distant future. The Events curator, Siobhan Andrews Kapoor, said in a statement with Fad Magazine, “TEST SPECIMENS offers an extraordinary, intimate glimpse into the minds of these creative geniuses at a pivotal moment in British cultural history. For us the viewers, it’s a privilege to be let behind the scenes and explore this fantastical world for ourselves.”

Yorke himself has been busy too recently, consistently releasing both new songs with his new band The Smile, featuring Jonny Greenwood and Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner, as well as a handful of tracks that we can only assume are coming from an upcoming solo project, the first since the release of his last solo project ANIMA back in 2019. “5.17”, and more recently, “That’s How Horses Are”, have both surfaced recently with the intention of being on the upcoming final series of Peak Blinders. Listen to “That’s How Horses Are” below.

Yorke’s other project The Smile is also set to take part in a lengthy world tour through May, June, and July this year. Tickets for the tour’s UK dates have long since sold out, but most of the festival dates and a handful of other European gigs still have tickets available. You can look into that here.

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.

Phil Griffin is a photographer and music video director who worked with Winehouse on the videos for her second album Back to Black which featured hits including Rehab and Tears Dry On Their Own. Griffin set up the exhibition, which features photographs taken during the era of Back to Black, to encourage people to focus on the blues artist’s achievements rather than her notorious and tragic life story and death.

Griffin explained to the Guardian: “I want there to be a positive flow of conversation about her. She’s not just a tragic figure but a human being who was incredibly talented. She was a girl with a story to tell and she wasn’t afraid to tell it.”

In sharing some of the beautiful pictures taken during the shoots for the Back to Black music videos, Griffin hopes to show her as the artist she was not the tabloid headline she became, and he discusses how he thinks her life may have gone differently in an earlier age: “If she’d been born in a different age and was allowed to grow in the way that Diana Ross grew or the way that Ella Fitzgerald grew, she might still have remained a troubled figure, but I think we might still have her.”

Griffin is not the only person close to Amy who wants her story to be recast in a different light. Her family has also released a new documentary called Reclaiming Amy, which tells her story as a person, in contrast to the 2015 documentary Amy, which was critical of her family, and called ‘a disgrace’ by her father.

Griffin’s exhibition is titled ‘Amy in the Light’ and opens at the Brownsword Hepworth Gallery in Knightsbridge, London on 26th July. The exhibition is free to attend.

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