"Live & Die: A Celebration of The Enemy"

by AndyHoldcroft, 21 Jan 2017 Thursday 19th January 2017 saw the official launch of the new Coventry Music Museum exhibition "Live & Die: A Celebration of The Enemy" which will run for the remainder of 2017.

This incredible event has been made possible due to unprecedented support from the members of the now sadly non-operational band & their management. The display includes their stage equipment & backdrop with Tom's iconic Telecaster, Andy's bass & Liam's bass drum, rarities such as their first ever demo (as 'Bridges') to listen to, exclusive filmed interviews for the exhibition playing on screen and a huge amount of personal treasures.

The evening was started by some words of welcome by Pete Chambers BEM, the Museum curator & founder whose championing of the band from the start of the career underlies the quality of the relationship which led to the exhibition in the first place. This was then followed by a speech from the Lord Mayor of Coventry appreciating what they had done for the area & their unique position as the only local artists to have had (so far) a Number One album. Tom Clarke spoke in reply on behalf of the band & expressed their thanks for the support they had had & for the exhibition celebrating their career. Next, the BBC's Brody Swain, another key figure in supporting & promoting local grassroots talent, presided over the unveiling of a plaque to The Enemy on the Coventry & Warwickshire Music Wall of Fame joining such figures as the members of The Specials & Selecter, Delia Derbyshire, Vince Hill & Frank Ifield.

While guests enjoyed food & drink & viewed the exhibition, another key figure in local music, Sam McNulty, ably supported by Richard Keogh, played a set of his own material & some Enemy covers, creating a great sense of excitement & passion. The event was attended by many local musicians, promoters, fans and representatives of local organisations who clearly, to this writer's eye, had a whale of a time: as will any visitor to this great exhibition..