Freddie Mercury as You Have Never Seen Him Before

Dedicated to one of the world’s most charismatic frontmen, the Freddie exhibition guides visitors through nine thematic spaces: for the first time, Freddie Mercury’s personal side will be revealed behind his stage persona as a world-renowned star. The exhibition begins with his on-stage character, introducing his pre- and post-performance rituals, the everyday aspects of his life on tour, and the exceptional creativity and precision that enabled him to create spectacular and unique concert experiences even in the analogue era.

Visitors can also explore some of his most significant performances, including the Live Aid benefit concert dominated by Queen, one of the largest live music events in history, watched by more than 1.5 billion viewers worldwide through television broadcasts. A separate section is devoted to the 1986 Budapest concert, one of the defining events of the era, which had not only musical but also social and cultural significance in Hungary. Recalling the historic importance of the event, personal recollections are shared by the organisers and key figures behind the concert (also captured on film), including concert organiser László Hegedűs, producer György Mihály, and István Janicsák, the frontman of the support act Z’Zi Labor.

Freddie Mercury’s human side is brought to life through the personal stories of close friends and colleagues, whose recollections paint a more intimate and subtle portrait of the global superstar. Alongside Peter Freestone, Freddie’s personal assistant and close friend, visitors can listen to photographers Richard Young and Denis O’Regan, as well as Mike Moran, the co-writer and producer of the album Barcelona, costume designer Diana Moseley, director Rudi Dolezal, bodyguard Terry Giddings, former bandmates Chris Chesney and Tim Staffell, and British physician and HIV/AIDS specialist Graeme Moyle.

In addition to interactive installations, the exhibition features hundreds of valuable original objects, including stage costumes – among them the iconic jacket and shoes worn at the Budapest concert, the vest worn at Live Aid, a dressing gown from the Bohemian Rhapsody music video – Freddie’s legendary microphone stand, his 1970s Martin guitar, original handwritten song lyrics, personal sketches, antique objects collected during his travels, his favourite Scrabble set, and furniture from Garden Lodge. These original artefacts have been loaned to the exhibition by World of Freddie and private collectors.