Like most things in life, you’ll get out of Live Odyssey what you put in. Well, almost. Looking around the five-room space, it’s clear the punters raising a glass to each other, singing joyfully along with the band, dancing with a gleam of nostalgia in their eyes, or paying close attention to the exhibits are having the best time. But it’s safe to say even they think this venture is over-priced.

It’s a sad but true fact that you can watch a fantastic covers band in many a pub across the land for free. So, paying £38.50 (adult ticket) for much the same thing may leave some visitors feeling short-changed. That said, the organisers of Live Odyssey have their heart in the right place, with a portion of all tickets sold donated to the Music Venue Trust. And there is most definitely fun to be had at this dive back into British musical history. 

The opening exhibit, a sort-of recreation of John Lennon’s bedroom contains some lovely documents. Reading his teenage school report, where one teacher remonstrates his propensity to ‘drift’ during lessons, feels special. As does seeing his original scribbled lyrics for ‘In My Life’, complete with a couple of pound signs added at the bottom (clearly Lennon knew he was on to a winner). Elsewhere, exhibited throughout the space are album covers, photographs, Live Aid memorabilia, and a microphone once used by David Bowie. It’s a slightly odd collection, that seems to lack direction but apparently will change as the months go by.

A back room plays host to a holographic performance by The Libertines (fun, but no Abba Voyage), and two of the spaces are given over to live performance which is where the real magic lies. A changing rota of musicians and vocalists populate the bands, all hand-picked, talented young people delivering dynamic arrangements of popular songs from the 1960s through to the 2000s. You’ll find yourself singing along to ‘All You Need Is Love’ and hits by Queen and Elton John in one room, then travelling forward through time with renditions of songs by Kate Bush, Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys, Spice Girls and many more.

Live Odyssey, The Stables Market, Camden, London.