Croydon’s rich musical culture is showcased in a new exhibition at The Museum of Croydon.  

‘Rewind: This is Croydon Music’ showcases the vibrant musical history of Croydon and the borough’s influence on the UK music scene. It celebrates the  artists who have called the borough home, and pays homage to the multiple music venues scattered throughout the town centre.  

Executive Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, said in a statement: “Rewind: This Is Croydon’s Music is a chance for us all to learn and celebrate Croydon’s contribution to UK and international music creativity.” 

“Croydon is a place of ingenuity where new genres come to life – in our venues and in our communities – and long may it continue.” 

Curated by Jen Kavanagh and designed by London-based design agency ‘The Circus’, Croydon’s musical roots are explored through photography, objects and stories.  

Artists such as Stormzy, Loyle Carner and Benga all hail from Croydon and reference the borough in their music. Musicians such as The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and The Cure have performed in Croydon and for a long time, Croydon was a popular place for touring bands to frequent. 

Justine Simmons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries said in a statement: “Croydon has produced some of the world’s best music talent and this new exhibition will celebrate its stars.” 

“[The exhibition] showcases Croydon’s place in history and is a great example of how the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture uses the power of creativity to bring people together, as we build a better London for everyone.”  

Alongside the exhibition, an app called ‘Croydon Music Heritage Trail’ offers a variety of walking trails which take you on tours of the borough’s the main musical sights. 

Notable music spots include Fairfield Halls, a concert hall and theatre where The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John and Queen have performed. The Underground is an alternative rock music venue where The Bangles played their first UK gig. The Greyhound is a pub that saw AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath perform, before becoming an iconic punk venue.   

Croydon is also home to the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology which has notable alumni such as Amy Winehouse, Adele, Tom Holland and Kate Nash.  

Croydon was named the London Borough of Culture in 2023 and the exhibition is part of the “This is Croydon” programme of events – a Mayor of London initiative supported by Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund which promotes the borough’s heritage and culture.  

The ‘This is Croydon’ website explains that the exhibition distils different themes such as: music on the high street, music venues, music makers, music creatives and music moments.  

The exhibition will run until December 2024 at the Museum of Croydon, Croydon Clocktower. It is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 5pm.