Room with vintage music posters on walls and floor; display case with music memorabilia; soft drinks in background.

A COLLECTION OF BRITISH YOUTH CULTURE

About The Archive

With an extensive archive documenting British youth culture from the post-war period to the present day, we curate exhibitions, host seminars, and produce publications that bring this rich history to life. Focusing on Mod, Rudies, and Soul Boys, our expertise lies in the movements that have shaped the music, style, and identity of generations.

A black and white photograph showcasing a wall decorated with framed black and white portraits. The images depict various people, likely musicians or artists, in different poses and settings. The frames are neatly aligned in two rows, creating a gallery-like display.

Projects

  • Mods Exhibition

    Brighton Museum - 10 May 2025 to 4 January 2026.

    Click Here

  • Soul Satisfaction

    DEDA Derby - 8th June 2024

  • Hitsville!

    ‘The Birth Of Tamla Motown’ book.

    Click Here

Featured Items

Cover of the October 1967 issue of "Blues & Soul Monthly Music Review," featuring a close-up of a man's face in a purple hue.

Blues & Soul Magazines

Cover of R & B Scene magazine, April 1965, featuring a black-and-white photo of Screamin' Jay Hawkins holding a skull next to another person. The cover highlights artists like Chuck Berry, James Brown, and Lazy Lester, with additional content on record reviews and quizzes.

R’nB Scene Magazines

Newspaper cover with headline 'Mafia Control Tamla Motown', featuring a photo of a man in a suit and hat, and an image of Martha Reeves and The Vandellas. The text discusses claims of mafia involvement in the music industry.

Motown Memorabilia

Curate An Exhibition

With unseen items, one-off and exclusive artefacts pertaining to British Youth Culture, our archive materials offer a unique and in-depth view into post-war subcultures. Past collaborators include The Horse Hospital London, Brighton Museum and many more - and you could be next.
Contact us about exhibition contributions and collaborations.

Work With Us

Buy Our Books

We currently have stock of our recent publications Hitsville: The birth of Tamla Motown and Groovesville and always welcome wholesale enquiries.

Book A Talk

We’ve organised and led talks across a range of topics relating to British youth culture. Whether you’re looking for someone to share stories about x or an expert with in depth knowledge of youth culture, get in touch.

Publish With Us

Wanting to bring some quality to your upcoming exhibition or event? With experience in book publishing and currating we’re always interested to hear from people sharing their knowledge on the scene.