A new national museum dedicated to the history of British music has opened its doors in Liverpool.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson cut the ribbon on The British Music Experience, which is housed in the Cunard Building on the city’s iconic waterfront.
The priceless collection of music memorabilia includes over 600 artefacts that played a part in some of the most pivotal moments in musical history.
Various outfits from David Bowie’s career accompany musical artefacts from The Beatles through to rock, post-punk and modern day artists including Adele.
Noel Gallagher’s iconic Epiphone Union Jack Sheraton guitar, synonymous with the Britpop era, is also housed in the museum, which opened on Thursday.
Other new items on display include those belonging to rock n roll pioneers and huge influence on the proto UK rock scene – Buddy Holly and the Crickets.
The late rock star’s famous ‘London Fog’ jacket and Lifetime Achievement Grammy award are on display, as are programmes from the Crickets’ 1958 UK tour.
On top of this incredible array of physical pieces visitors can expect to see fascinating archive footage, rare photographs and personal items from some of the world’s biggest stars never before on public display.
There is also a host of fun interactive installations where visitors can learn popular dance crazes down the decades, play a range of Gibson guitars and attempt to put together their own mix in a state of the art studio simulation.
The BME also has its very own stage so expect to see some exciting pop-up live shows in the very near future.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “Music is entwined with the city’s history, present and future.
“The Cunard Building itself played a vital role in shaping the industry thanks to the music that travelled across the Atlantic by those travelling on the Cunard Vessels.
“This music then immersed itself in our culture and influenced many aspiring musicians, including four young men who wanted to perform their own rock ‘n’ roll and then went on to become the most famous band in the world.
“The British Music Experience adds another dimension to our tourism offer which will benefit existing businesses and boost the local economy.
“Undoubtedly, BME will be hugely popular as music is a major cultural driving force and I wish the team every success in their new Liverpool home.”