Rebel Sounds

Unusual exhibition at the Imperial War Museum looking at the role of music in conflict.

The show focused on four stories from different eras, Nazi Germany in the 1930s, Northern Ireland in the 1970s, Serbia in the 1990s and present day Mali.

I was fascinated by the story of the Frankfurt Hot Club, a swing club founded by Horst Lippmann which played jazz records, seen as degenerate by the regime, and forming his own band. I found it very moving to listen to a recording of them.

I also liked the section on the role of the Good Vibrations record shop in Belfast during the troubles which was visited by members of both sectarian sounds and promoted Northern Irish music at a time when it might have become to too difficult to go to concerts and events. There was an excellent room at the end playing all the music and it was wonderful to hear Teenage Kicks booming out from it.

The 1990s example was the B92 radio station in Serbia which continued to broadcast news through the troubles and organised protest concerts and the modern section looked at a Mali group called The Band which was formed in the North of the country where music was banned so moved south but produce music for both communities.

Closes 5 January 2020