A CITY is showcasing its punk roots with a major exhibition.

The Punk 1976–78 exhibition, which has been on at the British Library in London, has opened at Sunderland Museum, Library and Winter Gardens.

Curated to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the musical phenomenon, the exhibition celebrates the enduring influence of punk as a radical musical, artistic and political movement.

Speaking at the launch, Doris MacKnight, deputy Mayor of the City of Sunderland, said: “Sunderland was a major contributor to this movement, not just locally or regionally, but influencing the national and international punk scene through bands such as Red Alert, Leatherface, Toy Dolls, Angelic Upstarts, to name just a few.

“It was fitting to have current local bands 1977 and Loudmouth playing for us this evening.”

The exhibition draws on the British Library’s extensive archives, featuring a huge range of rare fanzines such as the first Sniffin’ Glue in 1977 and the first and only edition of the Sex Pistols’ official fanzine, Anarchy in the UK. Original posters, gig tickets and flyers from the clubs that would become synonymous with the scene are displayed alongside original record sleeves, many of which have never been on public display before.

Highlights include John Peel’s personal copy of the Undertones’ single, Teenage Kicks and original t-shirts from Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood’s SEX boutique on the Kings Road.

It also features rare material from the UK’s biggest punk-related archive held at Liverpool John Moores University.

Sunderland is the first city outside of London to host the exhibition.

It runs until Sunday, February 26.