Toxteth: The Harlem of Europe Exhibition opens at the Victoria Gallery & Museum, University of Liverpool from 11 October 2025 to 1 August 2026. This new Toxteth: The Harlem of Europe Exhibition shines a light on the Black musicians from Liverpool’s L8 area in the 1950s and 1960s whose influence resonated well beyond their local community.
The Toxteth: The Harlem of Europe Exhibition comprises compelling portraits by Liverpool photographer Ean Flanders, combining images of original musicians and their descendants, alongside archival materials and community stories.
Origins & Purpose of the Exhibition
Toxteth has long been called “the Harlem of Europe” due to its rich musical and cultural heritage, especially during the mid-20th century. The Toxteth: The Harlem of Europe Exhibition aims to reveal hidden narratives of Black artists who shaped Liverpool’s sound and influenced national music trajectories.
The exhibition is presented in collaboration with Mandela8, Northern Roots, and the Victoria Gallery & Museum, drawing on memories and archival work from community elders, families, and musicians.
Highlights & Featured Figures
- Legendary figures include Chris Amoo and Dave Smith of The Real Thing, Garry Christian of The Christians, Joe Ankrah and Alan Harding of The Chants, the female harmony group Distinction, Ramon “Sugar” Deen, and reggae artist Ramon Judah.
- The exhibition narrates how, in a racially segregated era, musicians in Toxteth nurtured creativity, pushed boundaries, and forged networks of mentorship and collaboration.
- Clubs like The Whitehouse, Palm Cove, and Dutch Eddies are depicted as hubs that fueled local music growth and scene building.
- Portraits by Flanders are complemented by archival images, creating a visual journey from past to present.
Significance of the Exhibition
By spotlighting Black musicians of Toxteth, the Toxteth: The Harlem of Europe Exhibition reconnects mainstream narratives of music history to grassroots contributions. It challenges erasure and offers long-overdue recognition to artists whose influence is under-documented.
Nicola Euston, Head of Museums & Galleries at the University of Liverpool, emphasizes the importance of recovering “hidden stories” and recognizing resilience and creativity born in adversity.
The exhibition also underscores how music crossed racial divides. In 1964, The Beatles, refusing segregated audiences in the US, said they acted because “we’re from Liverpool – all the bands, Black, white, we all just played together.”
Visitor Experience & Program
- The exhibition is free admission for the public.
- It runs daily during gallery hours from 11 October 2025 to 1 August 2026.
- An accompanying events programme includes a performance by KOF + Jazz Gittens at the Tung Auditorium on 29 October 2025.
- Interpretive labels, audio/visual elements, and community storytelling are used to enrich visitor engagement.
