Music Is Prophecy brings together three works by Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller, which explore a moment in twentieth century British history where music led the way and history followed. The exhibition takes its title from the first chapter of Deller’s book Art is Magic and is a quote by the theorist Jacques Attali. Deller explains, ‘some music reflects the times in which it is made whereas some music points to the future - acid house did the latter.’

Acid Brass is a 28 piece brass band playing acid house anthems. In the first gallery you can see a short film showing a performance of Acid Brass at the 2005 Lovebox Festival by the Williams Fairey Band, the band Deller originally collaborated with in Liverpool in 1997 and who are performing the work at Kingsbridge Fair Week. 

The wall painting History of the World 1996 takes the form of a mind-map exploring the history of twentieth century Britain through music, from the industrial music of the brass band to post-industrial, digitally made electronic dance music. The diagram offers an explanation of Acid Brass and maps relationships between music, protest and history. 

Everybody in the Place: An Incomplete History of Britain 1984-1992, 2018 sees Deller teaching a class of Year 12 and 13 politics students about those moments in recent British history mapped out in History of the World. Told through the eyes of the young people, the film is as much about their hopes for the future as it is about Deller’s account of the past. 

With thanks to Jeremy Deller, Kingsbridge Fair Week, The Modern Institute and Williams Fairey Band supported by KNDS.

Visitors can also explore a listening station with acid house and colliery brass band vinyls and a design your own sticker activity, inspired by how the music makes you feel.