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Exhibition dedicated to Coventry's 2-Tone genre opens

BBC The Specials circa 1979 to 81.BBC
Coventry's The Specials were one of many bands from the 2-Tone era

An exhibition has been created to explore the 2 Tone music genre and its influence across the country.

"From the Caribbean to Coventry: Plotting the Rise of 2 Tone" features an array of band memorabilia and photos.

The music scene was born in the late 1970s and 1980s with Coventry bands such as The Selecter and The Specials playing a central part in its growth.

The exhibition starts on Friday at the Barbican Library, London.

Barbican Library Items from the 2-Tone exhibitionBarbican Library
The exhibition opens on Friday and runs up until 25 May

The exhibition was designed to highlight the positive influences on British youth culture which Caribbean immigration has brought and continues to bring to the UK, organisers said.

The show, which will run until 25 May, will also include architecture, art and literature and direct contributions from fans.

Barbican Library Items from the 2-Tone exhibitionBarbican Library
Fans will get the chance to explore the history of the music scene

The genre was named after the 2-Tone record label founded by Jerry Dammers of The Specials who had a vision of a "Coventry Motown" by creating a production line of records with bands like Madness and The Beat.

An upcoming BBC series created by Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight will also pay homage to the music scene.

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