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Velvet Underground Experience image

Velvet Underground Experience

Museum

🫤 I was highly disappointed in my experience and wish I would have just saved my money. Here's why it sucked: - There was a surprising lack of information devoted to the actual music and creative process of The VU. - There were sloppy copy errors in the placards that pulled me out of the experience.... People often mention exhibit,


Address

718 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

Website

velvetunderground-experience.com

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (31 reviews)

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Working Hours

Permanently closed.

Featured Reviews


Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 Terry 5 years ago on Google • 22 reviews
    I was highly disappointed in my experience and wish I would have just saved my money. Here's why it sucked: - There was a surprising lack of information devoted to the actual music and creative process of The VU. - There were sloppy copy errors in the placards that pulled me out of the experience. - The bio books on each member were wonky and sparse with content. - The laydown section that showed the home movies was the most immersive thing and actually had music playing. This was cool but the content and music pairing was scattered and unintentional. The unpainted 2x4 frames were cheaply thrown together. - There was a lack of actual interviews from the band themselves, both from the era and after in retrospect. - The exhibit desperately wanted to make a statement about the VU's impact on culture but I failed to make the connection. The same culural artifacts could have been juxtaposed next to a lot of bands from that period and the connection would have been just as strong. - One has to download Tidal to hear some exhibits. Not going to happen. - The listening section of devices screwed to 2x4s looked pathetic and were ultimately disrespectful. - My headphones or the inputs were messed up because I tried 2 and it kept crackling and fading before I gave up. - The gift shop was weak and lacked any limited edition stuff or vinyl. I felt like a could have just listened to the band's albums and read some articles on the internet and had a much more satisfying experience. This kind of disappointment was akin to opening up a Christmas present and seeing a cheap, knockoff version of what you wanted. Save the $30.
    9 people found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 4/5 Michael H. 5 years ago on Google • 130 reviews
    It's decent. Learned quite a bit about some of the history of the group before they came together and there was a lot of content related to the NY beat scene of the 60s, which was very interesting. Overall the content is interesting and accessible. The only things I didn't like are that it seems like the content is a bit limited and the Tidal sponsorship feels really forced. Because of the limited nature of the Velvet Underground discography, the curated playlists from other musicians also felt limited, especially when considering is consisted of only music available on Tidal. The prices of the new merch was a bit unrealistic ($20 for a coffee mug or a notebook). There was also this second hand type shop in the top floor that was also somewhat strange. Definitely recommend for those who are huge fans of the VU or are interested in the NY scene of the 60's. Beyond that, it might be a waste of money for others.
    3 people found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 M X. 5 years ago on Google • 35 reviews
    I was really impressed by this exhibition! learned a lot about Nyc creativity, about the 60ies and pop mouvement.
    2 people found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Marta S. 5 years ago on Google • 51 reviews
    Really nice exhibition.
    1 person found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 2/5 Charles H. 5 years ago on Google • 11 reviews
    On the heels of DAVID BOWIE IS (Bowie of course having been greatly influenced by the VU and having collaborated with Lou Reed) this was a huge disappointment. Now obviously the Velvets didn’t dress up as Ziggy or Aladdin Sane or The Thin White Duke, but some period artifacts beyond photos, records and magazines should have been included. This lack of memorabilia is made painfully evident both by the large wall of “establishing” photos featuring 1960s New York and notable personalities of the time like James Baldwin, Malcolm X, Cassius Clay and Marlon Brando - none of whom have any direct link to the VU - and the near-equal billing given to people in the Velvets/Warhol orbit like Edie Sedgwick, LaMonte Young, and Candy Darling. As another commenter mentioned, there are a startling number of spelling and grammar errors in the accompanying texts. I gather this show originated in France, sadly it reads like they just plugged the French text into Google Translate. They also have two spellings for the band’s first drummer: was it McLise or MacLise? And did anyone ever refer to the band as “The Velvet”? Oy. The gift shop is so bereft of items bearing the band’s iconic imagery (no album covers, not even a banana on those $29 iPhone cases) that one wonders how much cooperation the show got from the living band members and the estates of the deceased including Reed and Warhol. Having been launched into prominence by Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitiable, the Velvets are obviously deserving of a multimedia retrospective. Sadly, this wasn’t it.
    2 people found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Todd S. 5 years ago on Google • 67 reviews
    A cool companion exhibit to the “David Bowie Is” show at the Brooklyn Museum. Almost over now so you better get downtown before the year is out. 🍌

  • 5/5 None of Your B. 5 years ago on Google • 58 reviews
    Cool multimedia exhibit

  • 5/5 Maggie S. 5 years ago on Google • 18 reviews
    Very cool, informative, memory recharged.

  • 3/5 Tobias S. 5 years ago on Google • 9 reviews
    Not bad, beautifully staged, especially the home videos that you enjoy while lying on mats. And then the highlight, the touching video of the reunion with Nico in the Bataclan in 1972(?). Overall, however, slightly disappointing: hardly any or no original objects, no statements from the musicians, connections beyond VU barely shown. $25 is a lot for all that...

  • 5/5 Lexie O. 5 years ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Definitely a must!!! Very impressed with this exhibit. The multi-level layout really adds depth to all that is displayed. My favorite part is the subbasement where events are held, as it truly feels like our own little "Underground". Love all of the audiovisual experiences throughout the venue. The merchandise is fun and and eye-catching, and the top floor vintage store is a really cool addition. This was extremely well thought-out and executed. I highly recommend spending some time at The Velvet Underground Experience, you'll be happy you did! Another thing of note, the staff is awesome! So friendly and welcoming. Nice to see :)
    3 people found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 2/5 Damla A. 5 years ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Don't waste your money on this. We left disappointed- most of the exhibit was just pictures that I've seen before and plaques lacking enough information. An entire wall is dedicated to the 60's in general (the exhibit isn't big enough to justify this). I expected SOMETHING interesting- maybe memorabilia or immersive areas, but there's very little. Giving 2 stars because there's a place inside to lay down and watch a video on loop that was pretty cool and matched what I thought the rest of the exhibit would look like. Wish we could get our money back :(

  • 5/5 LOU JOHN N. 5 years ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Fantastic trip ! The Velvets are back in town with class… as ever.

  • 5/5 Julien G. 5 years ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Finally...an exhibition on the Velvet Underground and its legacy! Not to be missed.


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