City pub famous for hosting iconic acts recreated in music exhibition

A tribute to a legendary Leeds gig venue which hosted Oasis and Nirvana is taking centre stage in a celebration of 60 years of the city's music scene.

- by Harriet Sutton

Esther Amis-Hughes, Leeds Museums and Galleries' community engagement manager with a guitar on loan from Utah Saints founding member Jez Willis. In the background is a model of The Duchess, a legendary Leeds gig venue which once hosted Oasis and Nirvana. Inset, some of the exhibits

The Duchess of York in Vicar Lane, popularly known as the Duchess, was the setting for performances by some of the biggest names in rock and pop before closing its doors in 2000.

Now an impressive recreation of the historic pub is part of Music Leeds Us at Leeds City Museum, which looks back on six decades of unique musical heritage.

Created in partnership with Leeds Conservatoire to mark its 60th anniversary, the exhibition opened yesterday and has gathered memories and stories from more than 70 partners and volunteers, including local music lovers, artists, venues, promoters, and record shops.

Beginning with the founding of the Leeds Conservatoire in 1965, the exhibition traces other huge musical milestones including the Futurama Festival in 1979 and the rise of the Goth scene in the 1980s.

Visitors will also discover the histories of internationally acclaimed Leeds artists including Utah Saints and Corinne Bailey Rae.