From the Specials and the Beat to Paul Weller and Sade, Janette Beckman’s glorious black and white photographs perfectly captured British music in the late 1970s and early 1980s

Lean into it … a group of female ska fans do the ‘Madness pose’ Tue 10 Nov 2026 02.00 EST Last modified on Tue 10 Nov 2026 10.29 EST

The Specials, Southend, 1980

Janette Beckman photographed the musicians and movements shaping British culture in the late 1970s and early 1980s, from the 2 Tone sounds of the Specials to the energy of Britain’s punk and new wave scenes. Her photographs feature in Beyond the Streets, a landmark exhibition exploring six decades of graffiti, music, fashion, film and street culture. Beyond the Streets is at Saatchi Gallery, London, from 11 November to 5 May. Janette Beckman: Music, Style, Attitude (1976-1983) will be published by Beyond the Streets in 2027.…