Exhibition: Rebel Sounds

Discover artists who have risked their lives in times of conflict for the music they love.

From Hitler’s persecution of swing and jazz groups to the ban of music in Northern Mali under Islamist rule in 2012, oppressive regimes have tried to erase forms of culture and expression. In spite of this, there have always been those willing to risk everything to protect their threatened culture.

Revealing how groups and individuals use music to resist, rebel and speak out against war and oppression, explore the significance of music to cultural and personal identity and how music has been used both as a weapon to fight battles and a means by which to defy the chaos of conflict.

Hear four unique stories of resistance using personal accounts, photographs, memorabilia and music, including Nazi Germany in the 1930s, Northern Ireland in the 1970s, Serbia in the 1990s and present day Mali. Drawing on specific moments in history, they profile the rebels who placed their love of music above their own personal safety.

Learn about the musical endeavours of German swing kids who chose to oppose Nazi ideology by playing and listening to jazz music, and Terri Hooley, who used the emergence of Punk during The Troubles to put Northern Irish music back on the map, while Songhoy Blues currently explore the lost culture in Northern Mali, despite being exiled from their homes and their music being forbidden under Sharia Law.