London Underground Tube Map of Music

Now The Guardian have created an alternative Music London Underground Map

We've seen loads of "maps" based on Harry Beck's iconic Tube map - the most famous being The Great Bear based on philosophers, comedians, sporting heros and more and there was also a cool one in Have I Got News For You's Diary. Now the Guardian have got in on the act with one based on connections between 20th century bands and musicians



They said "Could we chart the branches and connections of 100 years of music using the London Underground map? Dorian Lynskey explains how a box of coloured crayons and lot of swearing helped.

It seems like a deeply implausible project: to plot the history of 20th century music on the London Underground map devised by Harry Beck in 1933."

London Transport who sanctioned the use of the map for this project also said "Every intersection provides an opportunity to celebrate those who mix and transcend musical styles.

For example, where the Pop (Circle), Rock (District) and Reggae (Central) lines intersect, you find The Specials (at Notting Hill Gate). Or at the junction of Funk (Victoria) and Blues & Country (Piccadilly), one finds James Brown (at Finsbury Park). "

The guy who devised it clearly had some fun with the project - "The different character of each line lent itself to a certain genre. Pop, for example, intersects with everything else so that had to be the Circle line. On the other hand, classical music tends to occupy its own sphere, which made it perfect for the Docklands Light Railway."

Posters of the Musical Underground map are now available from London's Transport Museum's website and gift shop priced £7.95.

All profits from sales will aid the current renovation of the Museum which is currently closed and will re-open in 2007.

I love the rather enthusiastic description on the LT Museum site - "Transport for London's great new Tube map showing Musicians and Bands instead of stations. Is your favourite musician here? Punk or Funk? This map is officially exciting!"

Londonist have also blogged this - with the inspired heading - "I Live In Busta Rhymes. Right Next To Cameo."

UPDATE - a question that Wayne asked, in the comments below, about the map and Saint Etienne who feature on it, reminded me that Saint Etienne use the London Underground map as a site map for their website:

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, February 03, 2006 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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