The Imperial War Museum has announced details of a new exhibition which will explore how different groups and individuals have used music to rebel and speak out against war and oppression across the last century.
The exhibition, titled ‘Rebel Sounds’, will tell unique stories related to Nazi Germany in the 1930s (particularly looking at the importance of jazz in opposing Nazi ideology), Northern Ireland in the 1970s (and the rise of punk during the troubles), Serbia in the 1990s (via Radio B92 which shared music and news during the leadership of former president Slobodan Milosevic) and finally present day Mali (in the work of Songhoy Blues).
"Music has suffered in the endurance of war, when violence makes it too dangerous to attend gigs or oppressive regimes persecute certain genres," says IWM curator Emily Charles, who has put together the exhibition. "’Rebel Sounds’ tells the stories of those producing, promoting and broadcasting great music despite the dangers, demonstrating the ability music has to bring communities together."
It forms part of ‘Culture Under Attack’, a free season of exhibitions, live music, performances and interventions at IWM London that explore how war threatens not just people’s lives, but also the leisure activities they partake in.
‘Rebel Sounds’ will run at the Imperial War Museum in London from July 5, 2019 – January 5, 2020. Find more information here.
