This poster advertises Andy Warhol’s Plastic Inevitable Show featuring The Velvet Underground and Nico at The Trip, a renowned nightclub located on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. The shows were scheduled to run from May 3 to May 18, 1966. Measuring approximately 22 x 14 inches, the poster is a striking artifact of 1960s counterculture and pop art, reflecting the innovative collaboration between Warhol and The Velvet Underground. However, the planned two-week run was abruptly cut short after the club was shut down by authorities following the third night of performances.
The poster design is a vibrant mix of pop art influences, prominently featuring the April 25, 1966 Newsweek cover with a comic-style “POP!” explosion. This nod to the burgeoning pop art movement ties directly to Warhol’s artistic vision, which elevated commercial imagery into high art. The blue and red color scheme, paired with bold, playful typography, captures the high-energy, multimedia experience Warhol’s shows were known for.
To the right of the poster, details emphasize the show’s unique features, including Nico’s role as chanteuse, experimental light shows, and “curious movies” that added to the immersive, avant-garde atmosphere of the performances. The bottom text declares The Trip as a “New Shrine of Pop Culture,” underlining the venue’s connection to the evolving cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s.
A photograph from these performances appeared in the May 27, 1966 edition of Life Magazine, documenting the brief but impactful event. This poster stands as a rare and iconic piece of rock and art history, representing the groundbreaking collaboration between Warhol and The Velvet Underground and their influence on music, art, and culture during the era.