This Is Jungle / D&B Exhibition

Lead Curator: Gary Thompson
Venue: Centre Space Gallery, Bristol

‘The Jungle / D&B’ exhibition, which took place from July 6th to 12th, 2024, at the Centre Space Gallery, was a groundbreaking event that delved into Bristol’s rich Drum & Bass (D&B) scene. It offered an immersive experience into the pulsating world of Jungle/ D&B music, showcasing its historical journey and enduring impact on British music culture. This exhibition served as a tribute to Jungle’s past, highlighting its transformative influence on the music landscape. Central to its narrative were the contributions of Full Cycle Records, Independent Dealers, More Rockers, and the Ruff Neck crew—key players who shaped the genre’s trajectory. Bristol, renowned for its vibrant music scene, was rightfully spotlighted as a hub for Jungle/ D&B innovation. The exhibition aimed to address the underrepresentation of Jungle/D&B music history within Bristol’s cultural institutions. It fulfilled a decade-long vision to formally interpret and present this vital cultural heritage, particularly Bristol’s unique role as a hub of innovation within the genre. The exhibition offered an immersive experience into Bristo’s seminal Jungle/ D&B scene, critically examining its historical trajectory and profound cultural impact on British music.

The approach went beyond physical artifacts to include oral histories and personal narratives, focusing on the social and cultural context of the 1990s scene and the genre’s evolution from sound system culture. The project was deeply rooted in community engagement, involving original artists, photographers, and DJs from Bristol’s Jungle/ D&B scene to ensure authentic voices and diverse perspectives. The exhibition examined the contributions of pivotal figures like DJ Krust, Flynn & Flora, and DJ Dazee, solidifying Bristol’s reputation as the UK’s D&B capital. A core objective was to educate new audiences on the enduring legacy and contemporary relevance of Jungle/ D&B, fostering intergenerational dialogue. Timed to coincide with the genre’s 30th anniversary, the exhibition served as a crucial foundational phase for a broader cultural initiative. The long-term vision is to evolve ‘This is Jungle / D&B’ into a sustained cultural program, expanding its educational reach and cementing its role in interpreting Bristol’s dynamic music history. The exhibition and the project have since developed into an international program in partnership with the Hannover Cultural Team and the Bilbo Bilboko Junglist Soinu Elkartea collective, which has been touring in 2025.