please empty your brain below

I've never been to the O2, but have nonetheless never heard of the BME. Interesting post, DG.
I went last year when they were giving free entry to people with O2 gig tickets.

It was so hopelessly bland - everything had this weird arm's length feel to it as if the curators had never actually heard music, they'd just read about it on Wikipedia and dug up some file photos.
Went with the kids when it opened and it wasn't anything special. The kids were bored as they didn't know the music so remained in the instruments and dance areas. Couldn't get our smart thingys to work, and thought making a special trek way out there just for that, was both expensive and a waste of time. In fact, every time I've visited the O2 during weekday hours, it's been dead, so I'm not surprised.
Something about music museums, obviously. One in Sheffield closed in 1999 after costing £15 million:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/478616.stm
And yet today, there was a lady on Sky News saying that the UK needs to make more of its musical heritage for tourists. "Why isn't there an Adele Museum? Why no visitor centres for the home towns of One Direction?"

Sounds like a highly profitable idea!
"UK needs to make more of its musical heritage for tourists" and if it done in a manner which also appeals to UK residents that be a bonus too i'd say. I no expert in the field but think after the USA "we" have made one of the biggest inputs to the history of music.
"Why isn't there an Adele museum"? Crikey, she's only been around a couple of years. At least wait until the difficult third album before you start opening museums, eh?

I went to the BME on one of those free tickets from a gig at the O2. It was ok, some interesting videos of talking heads, and the stuff from the early years of rock 'n' roll was far more interesting than the more exhibits. But there was no sense of who it was for - not much for kids to do, not in depth enough for someone who likes BBC4 music documentaries, not big enough to justify charging £15 for. And when I went they had an exhibition on Bob Dylan, which seemed to be missing the point somewhat.
>>It was ok, some interesting videos of talking heads....

Looks like the BME's on a road to nowhere (arf!).
@Richard M, that (Road to Nowhere) was on the radio as I read your post. an example of early Sunday morning serendipity?
As a 50-something muso I really enjoyed my visit to the BME. I went on a Planet Rock freeby (possibly too many people got free tickets one way or the other?), but I'd been meaning to go back some time even if I had to pay. Wish I'd known in time to do so; perhaps if they'd given more warning they'd have increased visitor numbers.

Thinking about it, the entry charge was only about the same as the O2 charges for the privilege of allowing them to sell you a concert ticket...
I've never been and had never heard of it. Even if I had I would not pay £15. Price was far too high. Not surprised it's shut










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