Sun 6 Jul–Fri 18 Jul 2025

Beyond the Bassline

500 Years of Black British Music

Kennedy Room

One adult and two younger people are sat on a wall. The younger people had braided hair tied in an up do. The adult wear a cap and is dressed in all denim with work boots. To the left of them there is a large soundsystem.

Beyond the Bassline is an exhibition which shines a spotlight on different voices and perspectives to celebrate Black British music as a form of entertainment and vehicle for community, as well as a source of liberation, protest and education.

Stepping into carnivals, clubs and record shops across the country, Beyond the Bassline draws on different places that have cultivated creative expression and inspired a number of Black British music genres.

Presented by Bristol City Council Bristol Libraries by arrangement with the British Library’s Living Knowledge Network in partnership with Bristol Beacon

Price: Free

Format: Standing

Ages: All ages

Exhibition times

Start: 10.00
Finish: 18.00

This exhibition will remain open in the evening when there are events taking place.

This extensive celebration of Black British music is a joy to behold – and a must-see for music lovers

The Times

Other exhibiting venues

Organised by Bristol Libraries, the exhibition will go on to appear at:

Sea Mills Library: Mon 28 Jul – Fri 29 Aug
Bedminster Library: Mon 8 Sep – Fri 3 Oct
St Pauls Community Centre: Mon 13 Oct – Sat 31 Oct

About Kennedy Room

A bright and spacious, glass-fronted meeting room or gallery space looking out into Bridgehouse

View 6 images

An image taken through a glass door with text reading

View 6 images

Zoom in on picture 1 of 6

Zoom in on picture 2 of 6

Zoom in on picture 3 of 6

Zoom in on picture 4 of 6

Zoom in on picture 5 of 6

The venue

Kennedy Room

at Bristol Beacon

Getting to the venue

Location: Kennedy is located within Bristol Beacon. Enter through the Lower Ground (LG) entrance where you will see the signposted glass door of Kennedy Room.

Address: Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR

Bicycle

Bicycle racks can be found in front of the main entrance on Trenchard Street, Colston Street, and on the city centre promenade. Find your nearest cycle routes using Cycle Planner.

Car parking

Trenchard Street multi-storey car park is 200m away, directly behind Bristol Beacon.

Bristol Clean Air Zone

Bristol Beacon is inside the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Check if your vehicle will be charged and how much you’ll have to pay.

Bus

Most bus services stop in and around the city centre promenade, 250m from Bristol Beacon.

View detailed travel information

Access

Mobility

Kennedy Room has level access from street level.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs and emotional support animals are allowed in the performance space. If you prefer, you can leave your animal with a member of staff during the performance.

Hearing Facility

A Sennheiser MobileConnect assistive listening system is installed in the venue. Download the free App and use your own mobile device and headphones to listen to the performance. (Devices are available on request.)

View detailed access information