A celebration of 125 Years of Sound.
Opening on Saturday 18th April 2026, “The Music Is Black: A British Story” marks the first exhibition at the V&A East Museum, celebrating the voices, creativity and global influence of Black British music.
Spanning more than 125 years, the multi-sensory exhibition charts the origins and evolution of genres including lovers rock, 2 tone, Brit funk, jungle, drum & bass, UK garage, trip hop and grime. Over 200 objects are on display, including 60 new acquisitions, from Winifred Atwell’s piano and early music technology used by Jme, to stage and fashion pieces worn by Little Simz, Seal, Dame Shirley Bassey and Skin. Newly acquired photographs of Kemistry and Storm, Mis-Teeq and Skepta further anchor the exhibition in lived cultural history.
Developed in partnership with BBC Music, the exhibition also launches “The Music Is Black Festival, a summer 2026” programme of performances, displays and events across East Bank, extending the story beyond the gallery and into the city’s cultural fabric.
With tickets available now, will you be attending?
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of V&A East
