Gloucester Exhibition Seeks Music Memorabilia from Local Fans

The Folk of Gloucester is reaching out to music enthusiasts for a unique community-driven exhibition titled "What Are YOU Listening To?" scheduled to run from August 12 to August 23, 2023. This exhibition aims to celebrate a century of music history while also capturing the personal narratives of Gloucester's residents, emphasizing the emotional connections individuals have with their cherished musical memorabilia.

John Bassett, events manager at The Folk of Gloucester, expressed that the inspiration for this exhibition stemmed from an overheard conversation in a Stroud charity shop. He noted, "There was a group of younger people, around 15 or 16 years old, discussing band t-shirts, and I thought, 'that’s a really good idea for an exhibition.'" The exhibit will showcase items such as band t-shirts, ticket stubs, and other memorabilia that reflect significant moments in the lives of local music lovers.

Bassett highlighted the importance of including memorabilia from Gloucester's local bands, stating that they want to display items that hold special meanings or interesting stories. For instance, one volunteer recalled a memorable encounter where her son played frisbee with legendary musician Leonard Cohen, who gifted him a shirt as a keepsake. Bassett himself possesses a t-shirt from a concert he attended in 1979 featuring The Blockheads, which he humorously noted has been partially chewed by his dog. Such anecdotes contribute to the exhibition's core theme of personal storytelling.

In conjunction with the exhibition, The Folk of Gloucester will host a series of events celebrating music from various decades, culminating in "Gloucester Goes Retro" on August 23. This event will feature music from the 1920s to the 1940s, complete with dancing and a display of vintage radios, further enriching the cultural tapestry of Gloucester's musical heritage.

The call for memorabilia invites local music fans to loan their treasured items with the assurance that all contributions will be treated with the utmost care, as Bassett remarked, "Everything offered will be treated as the most treasured possession before being returned after the exhibition." This initiative not only aims to preserve the musical history of the past century but also fosters a sense of community among residents by sharing their personal stories through music.

As the exhibition approaches, the team at The Folk of Gloucester emphasizes the significance of preserving and celebrating the local musical culture, which they believe is an integral part of the city’s identity. They encourage the community to participate and share their musical journeys, ensuring that the exhibition becomes a reflection of the collective memory and experiences that music has evoked in the lives of Gloucester's residents.