British Museum Experience Edge Zones Edge Zone 1 - 1945 - 1962 The Anglo-American special relationship of the Second World War triggered an evolution of musical trends in Britain.  Big band music became popular through visiting GIs and the revived sounds of Dixieland and New Orleans trad jazz were introduced into the London scene. The do-it-yourself creed of 1950s skiffle encouraged young musicians to pick up cheap guitars and start their own groups. British pop was transformed by the rock'n'roll craze in the mid 1950s. Edge Zone 2 - 1962 - 1966 In the 1960s, British music went global with the irresistible tide of the 'British Invasion'.  The original look and sound of beat groups like The Beatles, R&B bands like The Rolling Stones and female singers like Petula Clark took America by storm and Britain became known as a pop powehouse. Edge Zone 3 - 1966 - 1970 British pop became increasingly involved in cultural exchanges with underground political activity, fashion, art and drugs. Inspired by the 1967 'Summer of Love' in San Francisco, Britain began to stage their own 'love-ins' and 'happenings', with themes of peace and love becoming the inspiration for music in this period. The 12" album toook centre stage and pop evolved into rock as music broke out of the small clubs onto the arena circuit and emerging festival scene.  Edge Zone 4 - 1970 - 1975 In contrast to the tough social and economic crisis of 1970s Britain, the charts began to fill with performers singing of escapism, glamour and excitement.  A darker vision of 1970s Britain soon appeared through albums like the post-apocalyptic Diamond Dogs by David Bowie and progressive rock flourished. The music industry expanded and audiences sought entertainment, making sell-out arena tours the pinnacle for any successful artist.  Edge Zone 5 - 1975 - 1985 This was a period of economic recession in Britain. Pop music reflected this with tougher, more outspoken styles.  Punk dramatised Britain's social divisions, while the grassroots Rock Against Racism movement popularised reggae and brought a return to political involvement.  Edge Zone 6 - 1985 - 1993 The mid-to-late 1980s was a time of accelerated social, economic, technical and political change. Videos, CDs and satellite broadcasting meant that music was more accessible to the masses.  The late 1980s were also a time of regional and musical diversity. Heavy metal was reborn, imported house music reached ecstatic heights with the 'Second Summer of Love' and the 'Madchester' scene was blossoming in the North.  Edge Zone 7 - 1993 - 2004 In the mid-1990s, 'Cool Britannia' swept through all areas of British identity. Britpop revived the traditional pop values of the 60s and 70s.  The period also saw the rise of manufactured boy bands and The Spice Girls unleashed 'Girl Power' on the world. The rise of Youtube and streaming gave audiences new ways to access music. It presented artists with unchartered waters in the form of new channels emerging to promote their music.  Edge Zone 8 - 2004 - Present 2004 saw the launch of X Factor. The manufacturing of pop stars by UK audiences is balanced by the diversity of artists rising to the top of the charts. Rap and R&B stars, indie bands and singer-songwriters take the download chart by storm.  The Future It is impossible to predict the future of British music.  Who will be the next superstar? how will we listen to music in 2025? Whatever the future, one thing we can be sure of is that the intimate relationship between music and the fan will always continue to transcend any technological, cultural or social barriers. No photography is allowed in the the exhibition. 

Magical Mystery Tour Step aboard the colourful Magical Mystery Tour bus for a fun and fascinating 2 hour tour of Beatles Liverpool. You?ll see all the places associated with John, Paul, George and Ringo as they grew up, met and formed the band that would take the pop world by storm. Tours start at the Albert Dock ? meet your guide at the Magical Mystery Tour Ticket Office in Anchor Courtyard just a few metres from the bus stop where you will get on board the colourful Magical Mystery Tour coach for an unforgettable 2 hour tour. See the Beatles childhood homes, schools and colleges and get up close to places that inspired some of their most memorable songs ? Penny Lane and Strawberry Field. You?ll be kept entertained along the way by one of our professional Beatles Guides and some Fab Four tunes. The tour finishes at the legendary Cavern Club where you can enjoy live music every afternoon from the Cavern?s resident musicians. Your tour ticket also gives you free general admission to the Cavern Club in the evening of your tour date. Please note this does not include entrance for ticketed shows in the Cavern Live Lounge. Large parties will be admitted to the venue at the discretion of the door staff. At busy times we cannot guarantee entrance. Itinerary:  The tour lasts 2 hours and includes the following locations with stops for photos on the way: Childhood home of Ringo Starr George Harrison?s birthplace (passengers get off the bus here) Penny Lane (passengers get off the bus here) St Peter?s Church Hall (where John and Paul met for the first time) Strawberry Field (passengers get off the bus here) John Lennon?s childhood home Paul McCartney?s childhood home (passengers get off the bus here) Former schools and colleges of John, Paul, George and Ringo including the Art College and the Liverpool Institute (now LIPA) Many more Beatles locations will be pointed out as you travel around the city centre and suburbs. British Museum Experience Enjoy a FREE Audioguide and FAST TRACK ENTRY The Experience The British Music Experience comprises of a rich mix of over 600 iconic artefacts ranging from original hand-written lyrics, iconic stage costumes, never-seen-before images, footage and instruments owned by the music legends themselves as well as hours of famous soundtracks.  Using interactive displays, the experience, which will be divided into eight 'edge zones' will take visitors on a journey through the last 70 years of British music. Not only will visitors see, hear and experience the music, they will have the opportunity to eavesdrop on interviews with the stars, dance the decades and try their hand at playing the iconic tunes and instruments that shaped Britain's cultural history.  Tour Type:  Self-guided with interactive guide.  Interactive guides are available in the following languages:  Spanish, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Mandarin, Dutch, Italian. BSL sign, audio described and family interactive guides also available.