No. 28 Sixty Sixty Sounds & Hogarth's Gin Lane

Sixty Sixty Sounds uses their store not only as a retail space but also as an event venue, providing a platform for both emerging and established artists to showcase their talents. They've developed their YouTube channel to highlight the array of musical talents that pass through their doors, aiming to contribute positively to the musical community.

Have your back to Sixty Sixty and take a look at St Giles Church, and you will find yourself close to the historical setting of William Hogarth’s "Gin Lane." Created in 1751, this etching and engraving vividly portrays the dire consequences of gin consumption in 18th century London. The artwork depicts harrowing scenes of infanticide, starvation, madness, decay, and suicide, serving as a stark visual essay on the social issues of the time.

"Gin Lane" was published alongside its counterpart "Beer Street" as part of a campaign advocating for stricter control over the rampant production and sale of cheap gin, which ultimately led to the Gin Act of 1751. This legislation significantly curtailed the proliferation of gin shops.

The original copperplates for both "Gin Lane" and "Beer Street" are housed in the Metropolitan Museum in New York, while the preparatory drawings reside in the Pierpont Morgan Library. Designed for the popular market, "Gin Lane" features a robust, somewhat less refined style to withstand numerous printings without a loss in quality. This print has transcended its era to become an iconic image, frequently reinterpreted by modern satirists to comment on contemporary social issues.