Joy Division, Sex Pistols and more to feature in new British Pop Archive in Manchester

nme.com:

Joy Division, Sex Pistols, New Order and more bands integral to the city’s musical history, the BPA promises to “celebrate and preserve British popular music and other aspects of popular culture, recognising its pivotal influence on the world stage.”The BPA’s first exhibit will come in the form of ‘Collection’, launching on May 19.

A statement describes it as “a distinctively Manchester-flavoured exhibition, underlining why the city is the perfect home for the British Pop Archive.

Curated by British Pop Archive curator Mat Bancroft, Jon Savage and Hannah Barker, it explores the vibrant cultural scene of a city that has driven innovation, creativity and social progress.“The exhibition features iconic items from British pop history, many of which have never been seen by the public.

Highlights include personal items relating to The Smiths, New Order, The Haçienda, Factory Records, Granada Television and Joy Division.”Watch a trailer for the BPA below.Professor Christopher Pressler, Director of The University of Manchester Library, said: “The John Rylands Research Institute and Library is one of the acknowledged great libraries of the world.