Punk: 50 Years of Rebellion, Creativity and Raw Energy

With special guests Glen Matlock, Gina Birch and Marco Pirroni, in conversation with Chris Sullivan, Stephen Colegrave and Miranda Sawyer

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Upcoming Events

Culture as Security: How Culture Protects Us

Thursday 19 February, 19:00

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Culture as Security: How Culture Protects Us

Thursday 19 February, 19:00

An evening of conversation exploring the ways in which culture protects, provokes and sustains societies. Kirsty Lang, Mariam Naiem, Charlotte Higgins and Yassmin Abdel-Magied will examine the role of culture in national security, the ways in which cultural narratives strengthen resilience, civic identity and democracy, and what it means when culture itself comes under attack. In partnership with the Ukrainian Institute London.
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The Remarkable Life of Ronald Blythe

Monday 23 February, 19:00

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The Remarkable Life of Ronald Blythe

Monday 23 February, 19:00

Ronald Blythe was one of Britain’s most distinctive and cherished chroniclers of rural life. A prolific and wide-ranging writer, he produced fiction, memoir, poetry, literary criticism and nature writing. Rooted in the countryside of Suffolk and Essex, Blythe’s work continues to be celebrated for its sense of place, sensitivity and depth. Join Patrick Barkham, Ian Collins, Jenny Hall and Helen Melody for an evening of conversation and reminiscence, along with fascinating insights into Ronald Blythe’s archive.
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The American Revolution

Tuesday 24 February, 19:45

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The American Revolution

Tuesday 24 February, 19:45

An exclusive event with world renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and co-director Sarah Botstein, of the remarkable new film series The American Revolution, as they talk to the editor in chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg. Presented in association with PBS and The Atlantic by the Eccles Institute for American Studies at the British Library.
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Event Info

Speakers

Stephen Colegrave

Stephen Colegrave

Stephen Colegrave is the cofounder of Byline Times, Byline TV and Byline Festival. He has also co-authored several publication including Inside Music 2005, and Leee Black Childers’ Drag Queens, Rent Boys, Pick Pockets, Junkies, Rockstars and Punks. Previously he was international marketing director of Saatchi and Saatchi, a trustee of the Young Actor’s Theatre and a film producer as well as curating rock art exhibitions around the world.

Miranda Sawyer

Miranda Sawyer

Miranda Sawyer is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist and author. She began her career at Smash Hits and then became the youngest recipient the Periodical Publishers Association Magazine Writer of the Year award in 1993 for her work at Select Magazine. She has since written for numerous publications including TheObserver for 30 years, The Guardian, GQ, and Vogue. She has regularly presented for BBC Radio including The Culture Show, and the documentary Girls Will Be Girls showcasing Punk’s leading women. Her latest book is Uncommon People, Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs (2024).

Chris Sullivan

Chris Sullivan

Chris Sullivan is a writer, promoter and DJ who has been a key figure in underground style and music since the 1970s. At 18, he pioneered the UK’s first warehouse parties while studying at St Martins. He founded The Wag Club in Soho, which he ran from 1982 to 2001, and fronted the Latin punk funk band Blue Rondo a La Turk, who sold over a million records and toured worldwide. A renowned DJ, Sullivan has played for stars like George Michael and Paul Weller and regularly performs at festivals such as Houghton and Secret Garden. He hosts a regular show on Totally Wired Radio and is also an artist. As a journalist, he was GQ style editor and contributed to outlets like The Times, The Guardian, and Italian Vogue. He’s also an author of books such as Punk: A Life Apart and Rebel Rebel: How Mavericks Made the Modern World.