These were the words that rang out as The Heroes played their last set at the closure of The Star Hotel in Newcastle 30 years ago this month, a night that would shortly after seal its place in infamy.

As police arrived to close The Star just after 10pm on September 19, 1979, the hotel crowd, estimated between 3000 and 7000, hurled rocks, bottles and beer cans, overturned cars and set them alight.

The battle raged for two hours, only ending when the crowd was drenched by fire-brigade hoses, with 14 police and eight civilians on their way to hospital.

Afterwards almost 50 people were charged with offences resulting from the mayhem.

The story and photographs flashed around the world, with the message “That’s what happens when you close a pub in Newcastle”.

On this month’s 30th anniversary, The Star Riot will be recalled through a special exhibition at the Lock Up Cultural Centre in Hunter Street, an apt location as it was Newcastle Police Station, where some of the rioters were jailed.

Riot City is an exhibition of images, stories and people who lived, worked and rioted in Newcastle that night, exploring the cultural melting pot that was The Star – sailors, local gays and drag acts and rock `n’ roll fans.

Curator Gerry Bobsien says the exhibition covers the riot and the hotel, with a film of people reminiscing about The Star to play in one cell at the Lock Up, and NBN’s riot footage to play in the other cell.

There will be a slide show of the hotel’s last night and memorabilia including drag queen outfits and headresses, leaflets and flyers.

As part of the exhibit the work of Hunter artists Chris Brown, Tom Kearney and Charlotte Weight will be showcased.

The exhibition will run from September 19 to September 30.