A new exhibition examining Romford’s influence on UK dance music between 1989 and 1999 opens October 29 at Atik Nightclub in the Essex town, running through December 20. “Mega Mega: Romford’s Suburban Sound Revolution” is organized in partnership with Havering London and curated by Katherine Green of Rendezvous Projects.
According to the announcement, the exhibition traces how Romford’s network of producers, pirate radio stations, record stores, labels and clubs helped shape breakbeat hardcore and laid groundwork for jungle and drum’n’bass. It draws on first-hand accounts, archival photographs, flyers and oral histories from DJs, producers, artists and clubbers involved in the scene, alongside new commissions from artists Rosie Strickland, James Tuitt and Sophia Olaniyan responding to the era’s ongoing influence.
Havering London says it plans to build a permanent archive from the materials gathered for the project so the history remains publicly accessible. Tickets are on sale now.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Simon Tillotson, neighbourhoodpr.com.