Rough Trade x the Barbican

Rough Trade open capsule store in London’s iconic Barbican Centre.

We are excited to share news of a brand new pop-up store in one of the capital’s cultural landmarks, celebrating London’s thriving music scene past and present.

Below is the press release, issued today.

London’s Barbican Shop will host a pop-up store for legendary independent music retailer Rough Trade from July 2024 until the end of the year. Visitors to the Barbican will now be able to delve into an extensive selection of vinyl records in a specially curated area of the Barbican Shop. The selection includes Rough Trade’s picks of new and emerging music from the independent scene, some of the most influential names in music to come out of the capital, and records by some of the many artists to have performed headline shows at the Barbican, both past and present.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Rough Trade, a true icon in the music world. Our audiences will be able to shop a collection curated by Rough Trade, representing some of London’s finest artists as well as featuring records from musicians who have graced our stage. From groundbreaking contemporary artists to legendary performers, the selection highlights the diverse and rich musical heritage that is a hallmark of the Barbican’s music programme.”

Jo Davis, Head of Retail at the Barbican

The collaboration between the Barbican and Rough Trade brings together a shared ethos of championing live music and alternative artists and is the latest in a series of collaborations with the record store over the years. The record store celebrated their 40th anniversary with a special Barbican show in 2016 with performances from the likes of The Pop Group, Green Gartside (Scritti Politti), John Grant, Protomartyr and more.

With Rough Trade’s formation in the 1970s London punk scene taking place while the Barbican was being constructed, the pop-up store at the Barbican reinforces the shared roots between two organisations dedicated to celebrating London’s thriving music scene.

“We’re excited to announce our new partnership with the Barbican, one of London’s cultural landmarks. This collaboration brings a special Rough Trade pop-up shop to the Barbican, along with a unique merch collection that reflects our mutual love for music, art, and creativity. For the next six months, visitors can expect a record shop experience that complements the Barbican’s incredible contributions to music and culture. This partnership unites two of London’s music icons, and we’re thrilled to work together to bring something fresh and inspiring to our community.”

Lawrence Montgomery, Managing Director of Rough Trade UK

Barbican Shop, Level G & M, Barbican Centre
Opening hours: Mon 11am–7pm, Tue–Fri 11am–8pm, Sat 10am–8pm, Sun 10am–7pm