Rockarchive is pleased to announce the arrival of Horace Panter's Tour Pass Collection, a new series of limited edition prints inspired by one of live music's most exclusive pieces of memorabilia – the backstage pass.
Known throughout the music industry as a "laminate", these plastic passes are worn by artists, crew, promoters and the press, granting access behind the scenes before usually being discarded at the end of a tour. Rarely seen by the public, they are a fleeting but distinctive part of concert history.
A framed print of Horace Panters Specials 'Encore' backstage pass
For Panter, best known as the bassist with The Specials, these everyday objects became the inspiration for a striking new body of work. Drawing on his own collection of tour passes, alongside genuine examples shared by friends across the music industry, he has transformed disposable pieces of touring history into bold Pop Art prints. Every design is based on an authentic backstage pass and was originally painted in acrylic on board.
The idea came from an unexpected discovery.
"Some years later I once again found myself looking at boxes of memorabilia and came across a selection of AAA backstage passes for The Specials gigs and tours. Looking at them, I began to imagine them as larger-than-life paintings and prints, so decided to give it a go."
Madness AAA Tour Pass Print by Horace Panter
The Specials AAA Tour Pass Print by Horace Panter
Like his celebrated cassette artworks, the Tour Pass Collection began with a forgotten shoebox of music memorabilia. Panter soon expanded the series with passes contributed by friends and colleagues, including Madness bassist Mark Bedford, as well as promoters and tour managers from across the industry. Every pass featured in the collection is genuine.
Speaking about the finished works, Panter said:
"They look pretty cool... falling neatly into the category of Pop Art!"
Kylie Minogue AAA Backstage Pass Print by Horace Panter
Motorhead AAA Backstage Pass Print by Horace Panter
While backstage passes have long been collected by music fans, they have rarely been celebrated as works of art. By enlarging their distinctive graphics, typography and colour, Panter shines a light on a hidden aspect of live music culture, preserving objects that were designed to be temporary but are rich with stories and memories.
The Tour Pass Collection is now available from Rockarchive as a series of limited edition prints, offering collectors a fresh perspective on the visual history of live music.
Framed print of Horace Panter's painting of a Specials backstage pass from their Mexican tour in 2015.
