British Music Experience

Located in London’s O2 complex (which is a great place to hang out), The British Music Experience is an interactive and technologically advanced center that offers tons of information and entertainment from 1945 to 2010. My experience began with a brief video showing us how to use the SmartTicket and the benefits of the program. The SmartTicket allowed me to download information to the card and access saved data online. It’s a great way to get more out of my visit, so I’m glad that they offered this option, especially since we weren’t allowed to take photos. 

The central hub has rooms radiating out around the edges, each one exhibiting a different time period. The area is well designed because it moves the viewer smoothly through each era of music. 

My favorite showcase was probably 1993 to present because it definitely reminded me of my childhood. Many of Britain's hits made their way to the US, and we still listen to them this day (Bittersweet Symphony by the Verve was my graduation song in 2007). While there were several really amazing indie bands, a surge of girl and boy bands struck gold during the 90s. One of the most popular bands were the Spice Girls. I still rock out to them today, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Another amazing room in the British Music Experience was the Gibson Interactive Studio. With full drumsets, pianos, basses, and an array of electric and acoustic guitars, I was in heaven after being musically deprived for the past two months. I could sit there for hours with tutorial videos or just playing on my own. What an incredible idea; I approve.

All in all, the trip to the British Music Experience was extremely informative and a great way to spend an afternoon. I loved all of the technology throughout the exhibit; the interactive pieces certainly engaged me, and it was definitely not a normal museum visit.