Rip It Up

National Museums Scotland

Design of the first major exhibition dedicated to Scottish pop music at the National Museum of Scotland. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey exploring over 50 years of Scotland’s musical culture through a wealth of material, much of it loaned directly from the artists themselves.

Combining original stage outfits, instruments, memorabilia, props, film and music, the exhibition celebrates the stories of Scotland’s musicians from influential indie pioneers to global superstars. Rip It Up features global stars and independent local heroes from pop’s early days right up to today’s outstanding newcomers. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey from the days of the dancehalls to the emergence of pop in an explosion of colour in the 60s, through 70s New Wave up to the present day. The exhibition represents the rich diversity of Scottish pop music, not only through profiles and objects, but by using colour, pattern and texture to reflect the different themes and genres. Music and film are carefully integrated throughout, culminating in a ‘live’ immersive music experience.

Featured artists and bands include Lonnie Donegan, Gerry Rafferty, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Lulu, The Rezillos, Midge Ure, Simple Minds, The Skids, Big Country, Garbage, Franz Ferdinand, Young Fathers, amongst others.

Images copyright National Museums Scotland.
Film courtesy of National Museums Scotland.