Earlier this year, a 70th birthday celebration show was announced for Richard Thompson, taking place on September 30th at London's Royal Albert Hall. At the time of announcement, special guests were promised, but these weren't revealed - until now.
Joining Richard and his band will be the following, listed in alphabetical order (by first name): Alistair Anderson, Ashley Hutchings, Bob Mould, Christine Collister, Danny Thompson, Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg, David Gilmour, Derek Smalls, Eliza Carthy, Hugh Cornwell, Jack Thompson, James Walbourne, Judith Owen, Kami Thompson, Kate Rusby, Linda Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, Maddy Prior, Marc Ellington, Martin Carthy, Olivia Chaney, Simon Nicol, Teddy Thompson and Zara Phillips.
Quite a line-up, and David Gilmour's inclusion is arguably a first public step to show that - exactly as he said - the sale of a large chunk of his guitars recently in aid of charity, was no sign of retirement. Should be reassuring for those who thought he'd never perform again, following the sale of so many instruments! Naturally there is no indication what he will be performing, or for how long.
Tickets are currently showing as sold out, but it is entirely possible that a few could become available closer to the event, so if you are interesting in going, it's worth checking regularly at RoyalAlbertHall.com/tickets.
Further to last Wednesday's news story, tickets are now available to buy for Roger's highly anticipated new movie, with the full title of "Roger Waters Us + Them, a film by Sean Evans and Roger Waters". It will be shown in a participating cinema (hopefully) near you on or around October 2nd - 6th. Dates vary depending on location.
Us + Them is said to feature state-of- the-art visual production and breath-taking sound in this unmissable cinema event. Anyone who saw The Wall cinema screenings will know how well that was presented, so expected similar quality this time around too. From the look of the teaser trailer, below, it should be a great experience on the big screen!
Filmed in Amsterdam on the European leg of his 2017 – 2018 Us + Them tour which saw Roger and his band perform to over two million people worldwide, the film features songs from legendary Pink Floyd albums (The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Animals, Wish You Were Here) and from his last album, Is This The Life We Really Want?
Waters collaborates once more with Sean Evans, visionary director of the highly acclaimed movie, Roger Waters The Wall, to deliver "this creatively pioneering film that inspires with its powerful music and message of human rights, liberty and love".
We've had a lot of emails asking what happens after the screenings with the footage - as yet there are no details of a home release on DVD/Blu-ray of this concert film, but rest assured we will let you know as soon as the details are available. We cannot believe it will be long before there's an announcement of what's being released.
Now, here's that teaser trailer for what looks like an unmissable film:
Roger's highly anticipated new movie, with the full title of "Roger Waters Us + Them, a film by Sean Evans and Roger Waters" has had its cinema screening dates now confirmed. It will be shown in a participating cinema (hopefully) near you on October 2nd and 6th ONLY. Tickets for the screenings go on sale July 17th, when details of cinemas that will be screening it will be revealed, through RogerWatersUsAndThem.com.
Us + Them is said to feature state-of- the-art visual production and breath-taking sound in this unmissable cinema event. Anyone who saw The Wall cinema screenings will know how well that was presented, so expected similar quality this time around too!
Filmed in Amsterdam on the European leg of his 2017 – 2018 Us + Them tour which saw Roger and his band perform to over two million people worldwide, the film features songs from legendary Pink Floyd albums (The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Animals, Wish You Were Here) and from his last album, Is This The Life We Really Want?
Waters collaborates once more with Sean Evans, visionary director of the highly acclaimed movie, Roger Waters The Wall, to deliver "this creatively pioneering film that inspires with its powerful music and message of human rights, liberty and love".
As yet there are no details of a home release on DVD/Blu-ray of this concert film, but rest assured we will let you know as soon as the details are available.
As you'll have seen from our coverage of the event yesterday, the sale of the David Gilmour Guitar Collection at Christie's New York, in aid of the charity ClientEarth, was wildly successful, with every item selling easily, raising $21,490,750 / £16,935,185/ €19,035,147. It was the most valuable musical instrument sale in auction history, and took place in a pair of packed salesrooms (a second room opening due to sheer volume of people). The numbers attempting to be involved with the sale meant that Christie's were forced to move the start time by an hour, to better accommodate everyone.
Of the 126 lots sold, there were a few record breakers. In particular, the Black Strat achieved $3,975,000, setting a world auction record for any guitar. At the foot of this news item we have the list of top ten items based on final sale price yesterday. Here's the moment that the Black Strat sold:
On hearing how much the sale of David's instruments had raised for them, ClientEarth CEO James Thornton said: "This is a truly humbling and extraordinary gift, which goes beyond our wildest expectations. It's difficult to express just how deeply grateful we are to David for choosing ClientEarth as the beneficiary of this historic auction. The law is one of the most powerful tools we have to tackle the world's increasing environmental problems. This gift is a phenomenal boost to our work using the law to tackle climate change and protect nature. It will allow us to play an even greater role in addressing the climate crisis and securing a healthy planet for future generations."
Christie's note that, in the lead up to the auction, over 12,000 fans booked hour-long time slots at the tour stops in London, Los Angeles and New York to get up-close to the guitars. In excess of 500,000 people viewed the content around the sale on Christies.com, and more than 2,000 bidders from 66 countries registered for the sale. 97 percent of all guitars in the sale were sold to or directly underbid by online registrants. 38 percent of the lots were purchased by online bidders.
Good morning! It's the day that many Pink Floyd fans have been waiting for - today, at 10am EST (3pm UK/BST) at Christie's in New York City, over 120 of David Gilmour's guitars are up for auction, raising money for charity (more about that shortly). These range from his most iconic and best known instruments, through to ones that he has accumulated over the years and have less sparkling CVs.
The day, the event, seems to have polarised a significant amount of the Pink Floyd community. There's those who are excited, and have mentally committed a certain amount of money so they can place a few bids, with the hopes of getting their hands on one of David's instruments, whatever it might be.
There are also those who are sad (some, desperately) about his selling of the bulk of his collection. Those people should rest assured - he stated recently that he was keeping at least 20 guitars, including a replica Black Strat that is seemingly incredibly close in sound and feel to the original. In a recent fan Q&A, he said: "Don't fret too much. I still have a few lovely guitars that I couldn't let go. A 1945 Martin D18, my Fender Esquire nicknamed The Workmate and a Black Gretsch Duo-Jet to name but three." On being asked what it is about the Workmate that led to him keeping it over 0001 and the Black Strat, he responded: "I'm just too fond of the Workmate."
He has also made it clear that he isn't finishing with the creation and performance of music ("No, no. It does not mean retirement"), and on being asked "Have you retained sufficient guitars to make another album, and play more live shows? Do you have any such plans?" he gave a simple "Yes and yes". Great news for all those concerned that this auction was seeing David conclude this element of his life.
Last night, David revealed where the money raised today would be going:
As things happen today, we will endeavour to keep this page up to date with all the latest occurrences, sale prices of items, and such like, shown below. Stay on this page and refresh it for all the latest information on what's taking place! The latest items will be at the top, so scroll down to see older updates. By the way, please let us know if any of you are lucky winners of any of the guitars/cases on offer today...
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