The David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts will open its doors on September 13, showcasing more than 90,000 items from the late artist’s career. The collection – drawn from the David Bowie Estate and acquired with support from the Blavatnik Family Foundation and Warner Music Group – promises to trace Bowie’s creative processes as a musical innovator, cultural icon, and relentless advocate for reinvention.

Alongside stage costumes, handwritten lyrics and personal artefacts, archivists have discovered a note headed “Memo for radio show – list of favourite records”. The document reveals a selection of tracks that inspired and influenced Bowie, ranging from classical works to rock ’n’ roll, avant-garde and punk.

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The list includes Alan Freed and His Rock ’N’ Roll Band’s ‘Right Now Right Now’, Jeff Beck’s ‘Beck’s Bolero’, and Little Richard’s ‘True Fine Mama’. Bowie also singled out The Beatles’ ‘Across The Universe’ – a track he later covered on his 1975 album ‘Young Americans’. Other favourites include Roxy Music’s ‘Mother of Pearl’, The Walker Brothers’ brooding ‘The Electrician’, and ‘Tom Violence’ by Sonic Youth.

The full list reads:

• Ralph Vaughan Williams – ‘Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis’
• Richard Strauss – ‘Four Last Songs’
• Alan Freed and His Rock ’N’ Roll Band – ‘Right Now Right Now’
• Little Richard – ‘True Fine Mama’
• The Hollywood Argyles – ‘Sho Know a Lot About Love’
• Miles Davis – ‘Some Day My Prince Will Come’
• Charles Mingus – ‘Ecclusiastics’
• Jeff Beck – ‘Beck’s Bolero’
• Legendary Stardust Cowboy – ‘I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship’
• The Beatles – ‘Across the Universe’
• Ronnie Spector – ‘Try Some, Buy Some’
• Roxy Music – ‘Mother of Pearl’
• Edgar Froese – ‘Epsilon in Malaysian Pale’
• The Walker Brothers – ‘The Electrician’
• Sonic Youth – ‘Tom Violence’

Archivists also uncovered a handwritten list of Bowie’s “ins” and “outs” from 1995. Among the “ins” were “chaos surfing”, “no tidy endings” and “David Bowie”, while the “outs” included “religion”, “irony”, “your 15 minutes” and, intriguingly, “David Bowie” once again.

The documents were found in a room Bowie kept locked and accessible only to himself and his personal assistant. Left untouched until now, they will join the wider collection when the David Bowie Centre opens to the public later this month.

At the core of Taylor Swift’s concerts lies an enchanting spectacle of devotion and camaraderie. Fans, affectionately known as ‘Swifties,’ craft handmade signs adorned with heartfelt messages and partake in the exchange of friendship bracelets that serve as a symbol of the shared experiences and bonds forged through her music.

The museum’s quest for a Taylor Swift superfan goes beyond mere fandom; it represents a concerted effort to explore the intersection of music, art, and contemporary culture. The chosen advisor will have the opportunity to offer valuable insights into the nuances of Swift’s fan rituals and memorabilia, enriching the museum’s understanding of her cultural impact.

This exclusive advisory role presents a rare chance for passionate ‘Swifties’ to leave their mark on the cultural landscape. Successful applicants will collaborate closely with the V&A’s curatorial team, helping to shape the narrative of future exhibitions and collections. From analysing the symbolism behind fan-made signs to documenting the significance of shared mementos, the selected advisor will play a pivotal role in preserving Swift’s legacy.

Applications for this prestigious position are now open and those interested in taking on the role for the museum can send in their application via the official website. Alongside Swift’s fanbase, the V&A is also seeking advisors for a range of interests, including Crocs, drag culture, tufting, and emojis. The museum has already engaged with a select group of advisors representing various niches, and these grassroots experts bring decades of collecting experience, providing invaluable insights into their specialist subjects. Among the appointed advisors are enthusiasts with expertise in Gorpcore, Lego, Toby jugs, and Pokémon card culture.

In other Taylor Swift news, the pop sensation recently announced her 11th album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ set for release on April 19, 2024. This announcement comes hot on the heels of Swift’s recognition as the biggest-selling global recording artist in 2023, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

As Taylor Swift prepares to embark on her ‘Eras’ tour, the V&A Museum extends an invitation to fans to become part of a legacy in the making. Together, they will illuminate the cultural significance of fanhood, celebrating the enduring power of music to unite and inspire. Apply now and be a part of history in the making at the V&A Museum.