Bob Marley in London
As you wander through the The Music is Black: A British Story, there is a point when you realise it’s much more of a Silent Disco with visuals than a standard museum exhibition.
People are dancing, moving, smiling, their heads bobbing to different beats, each going back to the sounds of a past and present that is the soundtrack to our lives, from soul to reggae, lover’s rock to grime, calypso to jazz.
All the usual hallmarks of a V&A show are there: the artefacts such as Winifred Atwell’s upright piano or Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar; the costumes and fashion (Dame Shirley Bassey’s Goldfinger dress, Stormzy’s Banksy GB vest), mini-video docs on street violence in Brixton and Toxteth and Eric Clapton’s 1976 racist slurs.
But with advanced headsets enveloping all visitors, it is the vibrant music that brings the exhibition alive and demonstrates the profound influence black music has brought to the UK.
Given that this is a new exhibition in V&A East, a brand new museum with the express goal of attracting newer, younger visitors, it is an impressive start. A truly exciting and groundbreaking experience that is worth spending time in.
We were inside The Music is Black for three hours and even then, I could have spent more time, listened to more music – and I will undoubtedly return to go deeper, to listen again to Lola’s Theme or DC Lee’s See the Day, Little Simz’ Gorilla or The Specials’ Too Much Too Young.
The exhibition begins with a tour through the harsh reality of Britain’s colonial past through to the empire’s request to rebuild the country and Windrush followed by the harsh reality of racism and resentment. The common thread through the 125 years charted here, of course, is how black music has always brought heart and soul, whether joyous, rebellious or comforting.
So head out east, to revitalised Stratford. Enjoy the Queen Elizabeth Park, check out the new Sadler’s Wells East, admire the architecture of this brand new V&A East, maybe pop over to the V&A Storehouse and its Bowie showcase.
But, most of all, don’t miss this incredible tribute to the inventiveness of black music and how it has shaped our culture.
Tickets: From £10 (under 26 and students), £20 full price. V&A Members free. Book at vam.ac.uk. Open until January 2027.
