This small but entertaining exhibition at the Barbican is definitely worth visiting if, like me, you have a soft spot for emo culture (well, I was a bit of a goth back in the day!)
Focusing on the first-generation Emo scene from 2004 to 2009, the exhibition highlights a pivotal era when bands like My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, and Finch sparked a transatlantic exchange, fuelling a distinct UK movement led by acts such as Funeral for a Friend.
The exhibition website adds:
The ethos of emo resonated deeply with a generation, channeling collective teenage melancholy into a transatlantic subculture that thrived in cyberspace just as well as in the basement venues of grotty pubs.
With one foot IRL and the other in MySpace, Emo wasn’t just a scene —it was the only way of living, the only way we could envision our futures.
Featuring personal photos snapped on early digital and mid-00s phone cameras, content for this exhibition has been digitally unearthed by the Museum of Youth Culture from old hard drives and Photobucket accounts.
More info
I’m Not Okay: An Emo Retrospective. An exhibition by the Museum of Youth Culture
Runs until Wed 15th Jan 2025
Barbican Music Library
Level 2, Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
The Barbican Libraries can be accessed from the main building via stairs or lifts from Level G or via Frobisher Crescent from the highwalks.
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
