This summer, The Folk of Gloucester is celebrating the music of the last 100 years and would like the public to be a part of the project. “What Are YOU Listening To?” runs from the 12th – 23rd August at The Folk of Gloucester, 99-103 Westgate Street, GL1 2PG.
As well as dedicated music days celebrating everything from Northern Soul to New Wave and House music, there will be a special exhibition showing the diversity of T Shirts, record sleeves and memorabilia associated with musical styles and trends.
“We really want the people of Gloucester to be involved,” said the Folk events manager John Bassett, “and would like them to loan their shirts, badges, posters, tickets, programmes and record sleeves associated with their favourite artists or which have a particular meaning or story for them. It might be the first gig someone went to or when they fell in love, or just a reminder of their parents and family.”
Of special interest would be any Gloucester bands who created their own shirts, as well as the more notable bands.
The shirts and other items will then be displayed to make a significant snapshot of the lives and musical tastes of Gloucester people and returned after the exhibition.
If you would like to offer an object for display, please contact John Bassett at johnb@gloucestercivictrust.org
Accompanying music events
In addition to the exhibition, The Folk of Gloucester courtyard will be hosting a series of free live DJ events on Saturday afternoons across the summer, complete with food, bar and a specially set-up dance floor. These include Northern Soul on 19th July, 1980s alternative on 2nd August and 90s Indie, Goth and House on 16th August.
Live gigs include Scottish folk icon Ian Bruce on the evening of Saturday the 16th of August, and cult hero John Otway on Thursday the 21st of August, famed for his surrealist sense of humour and self-deprecating persona.
Younger audiences can learn to “punk up” their clothes and print their own t-shirt at various art workshops over the summer holiday.
The programme culminates with Gloucester Goes Retro on Saturday the 23rd of August, where The Folk will be celebrating the music of the 1920s-40s alongside dancing, exhibitions and a display of vintage radios.
To find out more about our summer events programme, you can follow us on Facebook or check The Folk of Gloucester website.