This spring, renowned artist, Pete McKee, is touring his latest exhibition, ‘The Boy With a Leg Named Brian’, across some of the UK’s grassroots music venues.
Favoured by musicians, designers and iconic brands, over the years Pete’s work has been commissioned by the likes of Noel Gallagher, Arctic Monkeys and fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.
After each exhibition, there will be a live performance in the evening from Pete’s band, The Everly Pregnant Brothers.
Along with showcasing Pete’s artwork in his biggest exhibition to date, the tour aims to raise awareness of the work Music Venue Trust do in helping to support our grassroots live music venues and their importance for emerging artists.
During its year-long run at Sheffield’s Weston Park Museum, A Boy with a Leg Named Brian welcomed over 130,000 visitors.
Split into four sections, the exhibition spans Pete’s earliest memories, beginning with the loss of his mum, and finishing with his teenage years where he discovered fashion and music.
Pete commented: “Music is a huge part of my life, and features constantly in my work. In fact, it was the original dream of mine to play on Top of The Pops rather than become an artist.
“We have picked some of the most amazing venues for this tour which have played host to some of the biggest artists before they were famous.
“Grassroots music venues like this are vital for bands like mine to perform to new audiences, so I can’t wait to play with my band in these venues too.
“I love showcasing my artwork in non-traditional spaces too, so this is going to be a real celebration of art and music.”
During the daytime the exhibition will be free for all to attend with interactive installations in each venue and a chance to browse these venues like never before.
The tour will visit Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton, Brighton and London, across weekends in April and May.
Pete has also created a special poster which is exclusive to each venue on the tour.
Only 50 will be produced and signed by the artist, with all profits going to the Music Venue Trust and each venue.
Pete added: “Independent music venues like these are really important to me, not only are they where our band plays but it is also where I have seen countless artists over the years hone their craft.
“Music venues are closing down at a frightening rate across the country and it is important that we work hard to keep them alive.
“I can’t wait to bring my exhibition to your city and show my work in these beautiful and very different spaces from a gallery.”
The exhibition opens each day between 12pm – 5pm.
Evening band performance is ticketed with doors opening at 7pm.
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