THE era of punk, Northern Soul, sound system DJs and scooter boys is celebrated in an exhibition of youth culture.

Being Young in Bradford, highlighting youth movements of the 1970s and 80s, will be open to visitors at Cartwright Hall when it re-opens on Wednesday, May 26. The exhibition features personal collection items on display, including vinyl records, concert tickets, clothing and a scooter.

Drawing on the experiences of six people who grew up in the vibrant music scenes of the era, it’s a partnership between Bradford Museums and Galleries service and a group called Being Bradford, which gives a voice to people’s stories as part of the district’s cultural narrative.

The exhibition was launched online last year, due to Covid restrictions, with a social media appeal for memorabilia, photos, video clips and blog posts about being a teenager in Bradford in the 1970s and 80s. Johna, Anthony, Gary, Nagbea, Derek and Steve, the original six contributors, have each compiled soundtracks to their youth of songs of the era. Other contributions include Val, a young female punk in the 1970s, Aki, one of Bradford’s first Asian punks, Abby, an Asian scooter boy, and photographer Ian Beesley , a hippie turned rocker.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “This fascinating exhibition has done really well online, but there’s nothing quite like visiting in person, especially one like this which has so many cool items that people will remember.”

Johna talks of how punk changed his life and recalls seeing the Sex Pistols twice in the same week in 1977. He and his mate walked to Huddersfield from Bradford, it took three hours and when they arrived it was sold out, but Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren let them in. Anthony talks of moving here as a child and becoming aware of the word ‘black’. He sang with Bradford punk bands and, with Amazulu, supported David Bowie.

Gary recalls working in the collectively-run 1 in 12 Club, while Nagbea reminiscences about being in Reflex Action, Bradford’s first and possibly only black punk/new wave band. Derek has fond memories of Northern Soul nights and reflects on the rivalries of Suedeheads and Boot Boys, and Steve shares his love of scooters and the Mod scene.

Aki recalls how punk challenged his Muslim upbringing when he and his brother wore ripped tight jeans and safety pins. Aki went on to be in Southern Death Cult. And Abby recalls how scooter clubs gave him a sense of belonging.

* Visit bradfordmuseums.org