A recreation of iconic Leeds music venue, The Duchess, has opened in Leeds City Museum
A tribute to a legendary Leeds music venue is opening in Leeds as part of a celebration of 60 years of the city’s music scene.
The Duchess of York on Vicar Lane, more commonly 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.
And now, an impressive recreation of the pub has opened in the Leeds City Museum as part of a new exhibition named Music Leeds Us.
The exhibition looks back at six decades of the city’s unique music heritage.
Created in partnership with Leeds Conservatoire to mark its 60th anniversary, the exhibition has gathered memories and stories from more than 70 partners and volunteers.
The incredible Duchess model was originally created by Small Acts and commissioned by Compass Live Art for Compass Festival 2021 in tribute to the venue itself, which was founded by John Keenan.
The Duchess was awarded a blue plaque back in 2024 for its contribution to the city’s music scene, and it’s safe to say if those walls could talk they’d say a lot.
Famously, Oasis performed there in 1993 to a tiny audience before returning to a much larger crowd in 1994 and Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain also reputedly slept upstairs on a sofa at the venue after their gig in October 1989, two years before the release of their worldwide smash hit album Nevermind.
Esther Amis-Hughes, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ community engagement manager, said: “The past 60 years have been truly transformational for music in Leeds and have seen some iconic moments that will forever be part of the city’s history.
“I’ve been blown away by the passion, diversity, and power of the city to continue to be a source of inspiration through music, and this exhibition has shown me how brilliant people, doing what they love, can make a positive difference.
“I hope this exhibition gives people an insight into the power of music in bringing people together, no matter what genre or scene you enjoy.”
Music Leeds Us is a free exhibition that is open until 28 June 2026.
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