The British Music Experience IS LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME

After 5 successful years at the O2 and benefiting from the invaluable support of AEG, the Trustees of the
British Music Experience (BME) have today announced the museum is looking for a new home. The move will
allow BME to continue to improve and expand the collection.
Since opening in 2009, the BME has displayed the finest collection of contemporary British music memorabilia
and artefacts in the world. The Museum has welcomed in excess of 500,000 visitors who have come to
explore, play, listen and experience the collection. Over 200,000 of those visitors were students from schools,
colleges, youth organisations in the UK and beyond who benefited from the museums innovative education
programme.
The museum also ran a successful public programme that featured masterclasses, songwriting clinics and panel
discussions with both emerging musicians and heritage artists. These often complemented the temporary
exhibitions frequently held such as Messenger: The Bob Marley Exhibition, Rip This Joint: The Rolling Stones
1972 and Daniel Kramer: Photographs of Bob Dylan.
The decision, taken by the Trustees of the BME, will mean that BME can now consider how best it can make
improvements, keep visitor numbers high and expand its range of facilities. The current funding arrangements
between BME and AEG will come to an end and the museum at The O2 will close at the end of April 2014.
Harvey Goldsmith, Trustee Chairman of the BME said today:
AEG have been fantastic in supporting the Museum from its inception. When the idea for a home to house
the rich history of contemporary music from 1945 was first discussed, it was AEG who came to the table,
helped us create the space at The O2, built it and operated it to date. We are eternally grateful for the
extraordinary support they have given us.
The Trustees are now looking to the next stage of our development. That means finding a more sustainable
home which we hope to have up-and-running in the near future. The O2 will be a hard act to follow but we
are excited about the prospects for the future.
Tom Miserendino, President and CEO of AEG Europe said today:
AEG is honoured to have launched and hosted the UKs only Museum of Popular Music. Over the years we
have seen artists, management and fans come together to assemble an amazing collection of the UKs music
heritage. We would like to thank everyone who has helped make the BME a great museum and a celebration
of one of Britains greatest exports. We wish the BME success in seeking out a new home and hope that it will
continue celebrating this countrys shared rich heritage.
-ENDS-
For Press enquiries relating to:
The British Music Experience and its Trustees:
The office of Harvey Goldsmith
serena@harveygoldsmith.com

For Press enquiries relating to:
AEG and The O
2

Jeremy King, Communications Director, The O
2

jeremy.king@theo2.co.uk



About the British Music Experience
The British Music Experience is the UKs only interactive museum of popular music. It is a registered not-for-profit charity
(Registered Charity No.1125752), with a mission to advance the education and appreciation of the art, history and science
of music in Britain. Following its opening at The O2 on the Greenwich Peninsula in 2009 it has made its mark as the centre
for everyone who wants to celebrate the fantastic history of British popular music. AEG, owner and operator of The O2
complex, originally funded the creation of the museum to provide a credible repository for Britains rich history of popular
music memorabilia.