The Victoria and Albert Museum has announced a major touring exhibition of David Bowie's personal archive, bringing over 100 handpicked items to venues across the UK starting in November 2026. The tour, titled David Bowie: On Tour, marks a decade since the legendary musician's death in January 2016 and offers fans outside London unprecedented access to his creative legacy.
Tour Details and Venues
Confirmed venues include V&A Dundee (November 2026 – February 2027), Blackpool (June – September 2027), the Bowes Museum in County Durham (October 2027 – January 2028), Ferens Art Gallery in Hull (February – May 2028), and Bristol Museum and Art Gallery (June – September 2028). Additional locations are expected to be announced.
Exhibition Highlights
The exhibition features costumes, instruments, handwritten notes, lyrics, polaroids, and performance notes from Bowie's final albums, The Next Day and Blackstar. Many items have never been displayed publicly before, including Bowie's childhood saxophone, given to him by his father in 1961, and his house keys to his Berlin apartment. A Jumbo Harptone acoustic guitar played on the Ziggy Stardust tour and featured in the Space Oddity music video is described as the most valuable item on tour.
Curator's Perspective
Harriet Reed, contemporary performance curator at the V&A and curator of the exhibition, said: “The demand to see the archive, which is made up of over 90,000 items, has been huge and the exhibition in London has been wildly successful. The intention was always though to provide the widest possible access to the greatest number of people.” She added that none of the touring items have been displayed in London before, having only been available via one-to-one online requests.
Exhibition Sections
The tour is divided into four sections: Bowie Through a Lens explores photography's role in shaping his image, featuring work by Terry O'Neill, Mick Rock, and others. All the Somebody People focuses on his onstage and studio work across four eras: Ziggy Stardust, Berlin, Let's Dance, and Blackstar. Hooked to the Silver Screen covers his film, TV, and music video work, including a script for The Simpsons he declined. I Can't Give Everything Away delves into his creative process and personal items like a stopwatch used for songwriting and his 1988 passport.
Local Reactions
Spencer Phillips, chairman of the Blackpool Heritage and Museum Trust, said: “This is a hugely significant announcement for Showtown and for Blackpool as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of David Bowie’s live performance in the resort.” Councillor Jackie Dad, deputy leader of Hull City Council, added: “It is incredibly exciting to announce that in 2028, the Ferens Art Gallery will host David Bowie. Hull has a legendary connection to David Bowie through the incomparable Mick Ronson and the Spiders from Mars.”
Significance and Legacy
The archive, comprising over 90,000 items, has been entrusted to the V&A to preserve Bowie's legacy. Reed noted that material from Blackstar, including handwritten lyrics and sketches from his final months, will be particularly poignant for fans. “Understanding Bowie in those final months of his life when he was examining his own mortality are important to his diehard fans,” she said. The tour aims to connect with both longtime devotees and younger audiences unfamiliar with his work.
