The Everly Pregnant Brothers & Pete McKee to tour Grassroots venues in support of Music Venue Trust.

From L-R: ‘Bath Time’, ‘How We Used To Watch Great Moments in Music History’, ‘Got, Got, Got, Got’ © Pete McKee

This Spring, Pete McKee invites you to visit his latest exhibition, ‘The Boy With a Leg Named Brian’ as it tours some of the UK’s most beloved Grassroots Music Venues. This is a rare opportunity to see Pete’s exhibition in these amazing and unique spaces. After the show has closed, there will be a live performance in the evening from The Everly Pregnant Brothers, the northern tinged comedy ukulele band which Pete is also a member of. As well as a showcase of Pete’s artwork, the tour is also to raise awareness of the work Music Venue Trust do in helping to support our grassroots live music venues, the lifeblood of touring for new emerging artists.

 

 

During its year-long run at Sheffield’s Weston Park Museum, Pete McKee’s biggest exhibition to date, A Boy with a Leg Named Brian, has taken over 130,000 visitors on an exploration of the events that shaped his life and influenced his art. Split into four sections, the exhibition spans Pete’s earliest memories, beginning with the loss of his mum, and finishing with his teenage years that were defined by the joy of finding his identity through fashion and music. Although this is the story of Pete’s life growing up on a council estate in 70s and 80s Sheffield, his memories and tales of everyday life and pop culture are relatable experiences shared by many across the UK.

Pete says: “Music is a huge part of my life, and features constantly in my work. In fact, it was the original dream of mine to play on Top of The Pops rather than become an artist. We have picked some of the most amazing venues for this tour which have played host to some of the biggest artists before they were famous. Grassroots music venues like this are vital for bands like mine to perform to new audiences, so I can’t wait to play on with my band in these venues too. I love showcasing my artwork in non-traditional spaces too, so this is going to be a real celebration of art and music.”

 

During the daytime the exhibition will be free for all to attend with interactive installations in each venue. As well as showcasing his work, Pete wants to show off the venues and let visitors see and experience them as they won’t have done before. The tour visits, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton and London, across weekends in April and May.

 

Pete has also created a special poster which is exclusive to each venue on the tour. Only 50 will be produced and signed by the artist, with all profits going to the Music Venue Trust and each venue in support of the UK’s independent music venues.

 

The other half of this celebration takes place at night, as each venue will host a ticketed live show from The Everly Pregnant Brothers; the comedic ukulele band who are well known for their parodies of popular songs. Pete was one of the founding members of the band and after a summer of playing festivals, including Tramlines and Rock N Roll Circus, they are excited to be bringing songs from their latest album ‘Never Mind The Ukes, Here’s The Brothers’.

 

Pete concludes: “Independent music venues like these are really important to me, not only are they where our band plays but it is also where I have seen countless artists over the years hone their craft. Music venues are closing down at a frightening rate across the country and it is important that we work hard to keep them alive. I can’t wait to bring my exhibition to your city and show my work in these beautiful and very different spaces from a gallery.”

 

‘The Boy with the Leg Named Brian’ + The Everly Pregnant Brothers Live

 

 

Day time exhibition is free with no booking required* and opens each day between 12pm – 5pm. Evening band performance is ticketed with doors opening at 7:00pm.

 

25 April – Leeds

Brudenell Social Club

 

26 April – Manchester

Night & Day

 

02 May – Brighton

Green Door Store

 

03 May – Bristol

The Exchange

 

10 May – Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

 

17 May – Newcastle

Cluny

 

23 May – Nottingham

Metronome

 

24 May – London

100 Club

(*booking for London exhibition required, free tickets from https://www.petemckee.com/)

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

About Pete McKee

 

Born in 1966, Pete McKee has forged an artistic career that has attracted a worldwide following. Pete grew up on a council estate during the ’60s and ’70s in Sheffield and his upbringing has had a direct influence on the images he creates which often examine facets of working-class life. His passion for subcultures and music is also evident in his work, depicting mods and rockers as well as many musical greats including David Bowie, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. In 2010, Pete opened the McKee gallery in Sheffield and since then he has put on several major exhibitions including 6 Weeks to Eternity (2016), THIS CLASS WORKS (2018) and Frank & Joy (2023). Pete has collaborated with various creative individuals and collectives including Paul Smith, the Arctic Monkeys, Richard Hawley, Oasis, BBC 6 Music, Disney, ACME Studios, Warp Films and Rega. For several years he has produced work for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity and is also a patron of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital charity, Art+. In 2018, Pete received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University and was presented as Doctor of Arts at that year’s graduation. Most recently, this summer saw Pete move his gallery of 14 years to Leah’s Yard in Sheffield city centre.

 

 

About Music Venue Trust

 

 

Music Venue Trust is a UK registered charity which acts to protect, secure, and improve the UK’s Grassroots Music Venues.

 

Created in January 2014, Music Venue Trust aims to secure the long-term future of GMVs in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, whether they are iconic venues such as Hull Adelphi, Exeter Cavern, The 100 Club, Band on the Wall, King Tut’s, and Clwb Ifor Bach, or lesser-known venues that are equally important to their geographical or musical community. These venues play a crucial role in the development of British music, nurturing local talent, providing a platform for artists to build their careers and develop their music and their performance skills. MVT works to gain recognition of the essential role these venues fulfil, not only for artist development but also for the cultural and music industries, the economy, and local communities. The geographical spread of GMVs provides access to live music, for both performers and audience members, in many locations that do not have alternative cultural venues. The charity provides advice to the government, the cultural sector, and the music industry on issues impacting GMVs and is the nominated representative that speaks on behalf of the Music Venues Alliance, an association of venues from across the UK.

 

Music Venue Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales: Charity Number 1159846

 

Music Venue Trust (Scotland) is a charity registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator: Charity Number SC052001