A song and dance

London’s O2 (the infamous venue formally known as the Millennium Dome) is a depressing place. Due to the big-name concerts that take place there, you’re sometimes subjected to invasive security screenings before you even set foot inside. Once inside, the temperature is more frigid than an industrial meat locker, the décor is more oppressively soulless than an Ikea showroom and the only places to eat are offensively bland chain restaurants that make cannibalism seem appealing.

Its only saving graces are the interesting exhibitions that make the most of the ample space available. The latest is the British Music Experience which recounts the history and development of British popular music since 1945. Adult tickets cost £15, while child tickets cost £12. A family ticket for two adults and two children is available for £40 though. We managed to get a sneak peek before its official opening to the public on March 9th.

Various musical memorabilia is on display including Brian May’s guitar to a dress worn by Amy Winehouse, as well as numerous music playback devices from 8-track players to the first iPods and everything in between. Listening stations allow you to sample certain songs and hear interviews from various musicians and other industry figures.

Perhaps the most interesting part about the Experience are the technological extras. Your ticket doubles as a personal RFID tag. Some exhibits have sensors next to them, so if you want to find out more about the exhibit, simply tap your ticket on the sensor and the extra information is saved to a personalized account on www.britishmusicexperience.com which you can retrieve later.

There are also recording studios where you can preserve your attempts at playing a Gibson guitar or singing the lyrics to Wonderwall. If you remembered to tag your recording with your ticket, you can view it later online. Unfortunately, our account doesn’t currently seem to be working, but it will hopefully be rectified soon.

The clever RFID ticket technology is potentially much more useful than the overpriced audio tours and guidebooks sold at other fee-paying exhibitions and museums. Hopefully this won’t be the only time we see it.

Alan Lu