Museums for music lovers

Music is a serious component of Barbican's programme, from radio takeovers to masterclasses, music-based exhibitions and both contemporary and classical gigs. Whether you want to be transported back into 1980s rave culture in an immersive VR experience, or catch one of the world's leading orchestras, it's always worth having a squint at what's on. Barbican is also home to the Barbican Music Library, where you'll find a vinyl listening station and practice pianos, with members able to loan everything from sheet music to spoken word recordings – as well as accessing over two million tracks on the online music and video streaming service, Naxos.

Founded by a group of artists and poets, ICA's history of promoting visionary new work across art forms is hard to beat. This is not the spot for a conventional gig from a mainstream artist: instead, go for mind-bending audio-visual performances, genre-fluid live shows ranging from post-rock to Japanese underground music, and stage debuts from internet legends. All carefully curated, you're guaranteed to come away having experienced something different. Plus, Negronis from the café-bar are only a fiver – what's not to like?

From rising stars to orchestra versions of video game theme tunes, The MAC's music programme is brilliantly varied. At any one time, you might find a night of classic love songs on the line-up, traditional Irish music or an award-winning folk musician taking to the stage. It's always worth checking ahead to see what's on at this award-winning venue.

Programming regular gigs from critically acclaimed artists across genres, the Arnolfini is one of Bristol's foremost arts venues. Housed in a Grade II listed building alongside the city's harbour, the venue has international reach, with visiting musicians and bands hailing from across the globe. Discover classical music from India through to compositions from local artists on the bill – and explore the dedicated Music section in the venue's bookshop.

Discover the homes of two extraordinary musicians who lived next door to each other – if 200 years apart. Handel Hendrix House occupies the four floors of the classical composer George Frideric Handel's house, as well as Jimi Hendrix's flat on the top floor of the building next door. Here, you can explore the restored historic rooms where each composed, rehearsed and hosted friends, as well as temporary exhibitions and exhibits focusing on Handel and Hendrix's lives. You can also watch music being performed live here – from classical compositions in Handel's dining room, to the sounds of the 1960s in Hendrix's bedroom.

This hidden gem of a museum is home to the University of Edinburgh's musical instrument collection – over 5,000 instruments, many of which are no longer in use. Explore these rare, antique objects across four galleries, delve into the history of music and check ahead for live performances in Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall. Often played on instruments from the collection, these early music concerts are a chance to hear 18th century music played on 18th century instruments in an 18th century room – about as close as it's possible to get to hearing the music as it was written.

Though small, the Ashmolean museum's collection of musical instruments includes some of the most rare and famous instruments in the world. There are exquisite guitars, intricately decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay, viols made by some of the most renowned names of the day, and Stradivari's 'Messiah' violin, created at the height of the craftsman's powers and considered by many to have never been bettered. Founded on a group of instruments gifted to the museum by the distinguished firm of violin makers, W.E. Hill and Sons, instruments from the collection are displayed alongside huge tapestries and embroideries in a dedicated room.

At the Horniman, the collection of musical instruments is drawn from around the world, and ranges from a pair of bone clappers made around 3,500 years ago, to modern synthesizers. Over 1,300 of these objects are on show in the Music Gallery, the largest display of its kind in the UK, where interactive tablets bring the instruments to life and short films link them to their cultures and contexts of origin. A brilliant way of discovering objects made to produce sound from across the globe, there are also regular live demonstrations on historic keyboard instruments from the collection, important archives to explore and special events including Museum Lates and performances.

See the crystal-encrusted catsuit worn by Dua Lipa for her Future Nostalgia tour, and the model for Stormzy's headline set at Glastonbury in 2019. Both are on display as part of the V&A's free Enthoven Unboxed: 100 Years of Collecting Performance display, alongside objects including spectacles worn by Elton John. The display marks 100 years since the collector, campaigner, writer and performer Gabrielle Enthoven's remarkable collection of theatre-related objects was acquired by the V&A – forming the basis of the wide-ranging Theatre and Performance Collection at the museum.

Better known as a sprawling contemporary art park and gallery, Jupiter Artland is also host to the annual Jupiter Rising festival – a programme of experimental music, poetry and performance over one night only. Part of the Edinburgh Art Festival, the event includes site-responsive performances, late night dancing and the opportunity to explore current exhibitions after dark. Leaning towards the wyrd and folkloric, Jupiter Rising is a stunning chance to catch live music in an extraordinary setting.

The Royal College of Music Museum is home to over 14,000 musical treasures, spanning more than 500 years of music making. The collection dates back to 1883 and includes the earliest known guitar, the oldest surviving stringed instrument in the world and over 130 paintings celebrating musicians, music and patrons. Many of the instruments here are kept in playable condition, featuring in live performances at the museum – alongside guided tours, music-related workshops, research events and more. There's an extensive library on site, as well as a year-round programme of temporary exhibitions. Currently on is Kurt Cobain Unplugged, exploring the life and legacy of the iconic guitarist through rarely-seen memorabilia.