·       Spice Girls outfits, never-seen-before Oasis memorabilia, and trailblazing music producers’ personal archives on display at ‘Cool Britannia’ exhibition

·       The Sun’s Dominic Mohan takes us back to 1996 when “London felt like the centre of the world”

·       Free exhibition at City of London Corporation’s Barbican Music Library puts the spotlight on music, dance culture, art, fashion, sport, and politics in era-defining year

Exclusive outfits worn by The Spice Girls, previously unseen Oasis memorabilia, and personal items owned by legendary record producers and DJs, Paul Oakenfold, Dave Pearce, and Judge Jules will take centre stage in a new exhibition on a landmark year for the UK.

‘1996: A celebration of the wildest year of Britain’s wildest decade - 30 years on’, which is devised and curated by former The Sun editor and its ‘Bizarre’ columnist, Dominic Mohan, celebrates the music, art, fashion, sport, and politics when “London felt like the centre of the world.”

Opening on Thursday 16 April, the free exhibition at the City of London Corporation’s Barbican Music Library will invite visitors to ask themselves whether it was the ‘greatest year’ of their lives.

Oasis rocked Maine Road and Knebworth, The Spice Girls were born and scored three number ones, including a global hit with their debut single, Wannabe. The Sex Pistols got back together and Jarvis Cocker’s infamous stage‑crash at the BRIT Awards got him arrested, while his group, Pulp, was riding high in the charts with Blur and Suede.

Trainspotting became the cult phenomenon of the decade, turning Irvine Welsh’s novel into a break-out film, and Young British Artists, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst, had emerged as two of the most provocative voices in British art.

In football, as Three Lions echoed from the terraces and across the country, England was inches away from triumphing in Euro ’96 at Wembley.

And it was the dawn of New Labour. As John Major’s government entered its final months, Tony Blair and his party were gearing up for a landslide victory in the 1997 General Election.

‘1996’ exhibition creator and curator, Dominic Mohan, said:

“With a backstage pass in my pocket to some of the biggest events, 1996 was the wildest year of Britain’s wildest decade and I had a front row seat, chronicling it all as a journalist for The Sun and later, on radio and TV.

“The year was the apex of the ‘90s and the year that I joined The Sun, when alternative and club culture collided, and Britain became the coolest place on the planet.

“I’ve hoped to capture that magical period when pop, rock, football, art, dance culture, food, the media, and politics fused together spectacularly. If you were there, this exhibition will feel like you’re coming home... and if you weren’t there, you’ll definitely wish that you had been!”

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, Brendan Barns, said:

“With invitations to the biggest showbiz parties and a bulging contacts book on his desk at The Sun, few people are better qualified or well connected than Dominic Mohan to take us on this wild ride at Barbican Music Library.

“Whether you’ll go mad for the Oasis memorabilia, get misty-eyed looking at Geri Halliwell’s Union Jack platform boots, or admire the superb photography by Jill Furmanovsky, Derek Ridgers and many others, Dominic’s star-studded take on ‘Cool Britannia’ will be one of the hottest free exhibitions in the capital.”

Barbican Music Library supports Destination City, the City of London Corporation’s growth strategy for the Square Mile, and forms part of the City of London’s wider arts and cultural offer.

The City of London Corporation is one of the largest funders of heritage and cultural activities in the UK and invests over £130m every year. It manages a range of world-class cultural and heritage institutions, including the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Library, The London Archives, and Keats House. It also supports the London Symphony Orchestra and London Museum, which will open later this year. 

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

‘1996: A celebration of the wildest year of Britain’s wildest decade - 30 years on’ runs from 16 April to 19 September 2026 at the City of London Corporation’s Barbican Music Library. Admission FREE.

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK –  www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

About Barbican Music Library:

Barbican Music Library, which is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation, holds one of the most significant public music collections in the country. As well as a large stock of books, scores, periodicals, and audio-visual items, a range of digital resources is available for use by library members. The library hosts a vibrant exhibition and events programme to showcase the musical diversity of London and the UK.

 Barbican Music Library (Barbican Centre, Level 2 – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/libraries/barbican-music-library)

The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train, and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.

 About Dominic Mohan:

Dominic Mohan is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and former editor of The Sun newspaper. While working as The Sun’s showbusiness editor, he interviewed some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Sir Paul McCartney, David Bowie, U2, Beyonce, Madonna, Sir Rod Stewart, Sir Elton John, Oasis, Coldplay, and The Spice Girls.

In 2005, he won the Hugh Cudlipp Award, recognising excellence in popular journalism at the British Press Awards for his campaign to re-record Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, working closely with Sir Bob Geldof. This led to the Live 8 concert the following year, raising tens of millions of pounds to aid African famine victims. He also collected a Sony Gold broadcasting award while working at Virgin Radio for his interview with The Who’s Roger Daltrey. 

With over three decades of experience in print, broadcast, and digital media, he now consults in communications, crisis management, and public relations, alongside his continuing love affair with journalism and broadcasting. A father of four, he lives in north London with his wife, Michelle.

Dominic’s book, 1996: My Backstage Pass to The Wildest Year of Britain’s Wildest Year, will be published by Harper Collins on 23 April.