Blackburn’s 101-story archive brings King George’s Hall to life
Blackburn’s King George’s Hall now holds 101 prints tracing more than a century of performances, protests and local cultural life. The King George’s Hall People’s Archive Art Installation, created by Jamie Holman, is on display inside the refurbished Grade II listed venue at Blakey Moor, Blackburn.
The installation was created for the hall’s grand reopening after a £13.5 million refurbishment. It brings together stories of well-known performers and moments that reflect the changing character of the town, from rock shows to bhangra dancing, comedy, sport and political meetings.
From Blondie to a wrestling brawl
Holman and researcher Bruce Wilkinson explored newspaper archives, books and historical accounts to assemble the collection. Some stories were difficult to verify because people did not always record events they experienced as remarkable at the time.
The prints include accounts of Blondie initially refusing to perform amid audience spitting, Chuck Berry asking for payment in cash before encouraging a stage invasion, and a reported council ban on further David Bowie gigs after a Ziggy Stardust appearance. Another print recalls a televised wrestling match involving show jumper Harvey Smith and wrestler Jackie Pallo that spilled into a brawl, making the front page of the Daily Mirror.
The archive also looks beyond music. It covers boxing and wrestling, comedians who got early breaks at the hall, Blackburn Rovers supporters listening to a live broadcast of the 1931 FA Cup match against Chelsea, and political meetings. A print about Enoch Powell’s visit carries the headline “Blackburn is Anti-Fascist!”
101 prints inside the refurbished hall
Two large-scale lightboxes, made using images by Derren Poole, refer to the stage lights that illuminate performers and audiences. Blackburn-based Parkinsons Signs produced them, and around 20 people contributed to the installation with support from the Creative Alliance.
The final print, “Changing Man,” was made for the staff of BwD Venues and dedicated to Paul Weller, who has performed at King George’s Hall in every decade of his career. Holman says he wanted the works to prompt people to share memories and see the building differently, rather than document every event in its history.
The collection sits alongside the hall’s restored architectural features. Its stories range from the Beatles’ appearance with Gerry and the Pacemakers and Roy Orbison in June 1963 to more recent performances, including Liam Gallagher’s intimate gig for Nightsafe.
Visiting King George’s Hall
The installation is at King George’s Hall, Blakey Moor, Blackburn, and is described as open to the public. It is aimed at general visitors interested in the venue’s history, live performance and Blackburn’s cultural past.
The source does not provide an opening date, admission price, booking instructions, opening times, transport guidance or accessibility details. Check the venue’s current information before making a visit.
Source: Blackburn with Darwen Council News
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- The Shuttle
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- Blackburn, Lancashire
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- 2026-10-23 16:53
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