A sign from iconic London nightclub fabric will go on display in the new London Museum when it opens its doors in 2026. The sign, which hung outside fabric in 2019 to mark their 20th anniversary, is the latest to be donated following the museum’s call-out last year for signs from across the capital. It’s now bound for its new home just down the street where the museum will take up residence in the historic Smithfield market buildings. It will appear as part of Hanging Out – a permanent installation which celebrates the meeting spots that bring London’s communities together. London Museum is still seeking other signs to include in the display – from music venues, theatres and restaurants to nail salons, barbers and beyond.
The donation is the latest step in a partnership between the future neighbours, following a 2022 announcement that fabric would become the world’s first nightclub-in-residence at a museum. The venerated electronic music brand and venue are housed in a renovated Victorian building – a former Cold Stores which served the Smithfield markets, where the museum is creating its home. The unique cultural partnership is one of a series of creative, commercial and community partnerships that the museum is forging to connect with Londoners and their history.
Fabric co-founder, Cameron Leslie said: “We’re excited to welcome London Museum as our soon-to-be neighbours in Smithfield. As we gear up to celebrate our 25th anniversary later this year, it’s great to see the club recognised for the community we have built and the vital role we play in London – as both a cultural space and tireless champions of electronic music as an art-form. We’re looking forward to our continuing venture with London Museum and to formally taking up our residency when the new site opens in 2026.”
Beatrice Behlen, Senior Curator at London Museum, said: “fabric is truly at the heart of Smithfield’s creative pulse, so it’s a real privilege to be able to preserve a part of their history within our new museum. fabric epitomises the ethos of our Hanging Out installation which will celebrate the countless communities that exist within London through the spaces that bring them together. We’re still on the hunt to locate more signs from places that formed, or still form, the cultural hub for a community within the capital. Whether it’s a music venue, a sports club, a hairdressers, a café, or something else entirely, we’d love to hear from the people of London about which signs they think belong in our museum.”
Since opening its doors in 1999, fabric has been at the forefront of the music scene and the club culture conversation. Consistently platforming a diverse range of genres and acts, fabric has played a pivotal role in shaping the global dance music scene for the past 25 years. Now known as a leading authority on cutting-edge electronic music experiences, through both its programme of events and the label family that sits under the fabric umbrella (fabric Records, Houndstooth and Originals), fabric continues to be a beacon for dance music lovers worldwide. This year marks fabric’s milestone 25th anniversary, and they are currently celebrating with a special programme of global events that are set to continue throughout 2024.
Formerly known as Museum of London, London Museum tells the ever-changing story of one of the world’s greatest cities and the people who have shaped it. London’s famed musical legacy has been showcased through the museum’s acclaimed displays and exhibitions including Grime Stories: from the Corner to the Mainstream, Dub London: Bassline of a City and The Clash: London Calling. The new London Museum will continue to boldly reimagine the museum for the 21st century. It will play a key role in the transformation of Smithfield, opening early and closing late to reflect London’s 24-hour character. This landmark site will sit at the heart of a dynamic new cultural quarter, welcoming millions more visitors each year, and preserving the historic market buildings for generations to come. The museum’s permanent galleries are set to open in 2026 in the formerly derelict Victorian General Market. The restored 1960s Poultry Market will follow in 2028, home to temporary exhibition spaces, a collections store, and a world-class learning centre which will engage every London schoolchild. Increased gallery space will allow visitors to experience more of the museum’s seven million strong collection than ever before. Already more than 70,000 Londoners have been involved in the shaping and creation of the new museum – this number is set to rise to 100,000 by completion.
The museum’s search continues for signs from across Greater London for the Hanging Out display. This includes (but is not limited to): music venues, theatres, pubs, sports venues, community centres, restaurants, takeaways, nail salons, barbers, independent cinemas and more. The focus will be on the last 80 years, and signs would need to measure a minimum of around 50x50cm to be considered for the installation. Anyone who has a relevant sign they’d like the museum to consider, or information about signs which fit this description, is asked to email [email protected] with as many details as possible.
