Following on from this week's teaser videos, and whispers and rumours abounding, the official announcement has been made today for Pink Floyd's celebration of the 50 years since the release of The Dark Side Of The Moon.

Apart from a deluxe box set, which is released on March 24th, 2023, there are also standalone releases, Planetarium presentations of the album, and a competition aimed at animators. Rest assured, we have all the details for you here. First, the box set:

As you might be able to determine from the picture, the new deluxe box set includes a CD and gatefold vinyl of the new 2023 remastered studio album, and Blu-Ray and DVD audio discs featuring the original 5.1 mix and remastered stereo versions. The set also includes an additional Blu-ray disc of the new Atmos mix plus a CD and vinyl (for the first time) of The Dark Side Of The Moon - Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974. There's also a 76-page music book, replicas of two 7" singles, posters, stickers, a replica invite to the press preview of the album at London Planetarium in February 1973, and Thames & Hudson's 160-page hardback book with rare and previously unseen photographs from the 1972-1975 tours taken by Jill Furmanovsky, Peter Christopherson, Aubrey Powell, and Storm Thorgerson. For full details - and ordering details - please see below.

On the same day, 24th March, the CD and LP of The Dark Side Of The Moon - Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974 will be released separately from the box set. It was originally recorded in November 1974 as part of the band's winter tour and this is the first time it will be available as a stand-alone album, with artwork featuring an original 1973 line-drawn cover by George Hardie.

The book Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon: 50th Anniversary (which we talked about here on 14th October 2022) will also be published separately by Thames & Hudson on 24th March 2023 to coincide with the box set release (which includes it). Curated by photographer Jill Furmanovsky and art directed by Hipgnosis co-founder Aubrey Powell, this LP-sized volume showcases rare and previously unseen photographs taken during The Dark Side Of The Moon tours of 1972-1975 and was created with the involvement of the band members.

The 50th Anniversary release will also be celebrated as Pink Floyd have invited a new generation of animators to enter a competition to create music videos for any of the 10 songs on the iconic 1973 album. Pink Floyd has a rich history of collaborating with animators from the beginnings of the band (Ian Emes, Gerald Scarfe etc.), and in some cases the visuals that accompany the songs have become synonymous with the music itself. The 50th Anniversary will be no exception.

The band are giving all animators an opportunity to present a fresh take on these timeless aural works. Animators can enter up to 10 videos, one per song on the album. A winner will be selected from a panel of experts which will include Nick Mason and Aubrey 'Po' Powell. The deadline for submissions is November 30th 2023. To enter and for more information go to www.pinkfloyd.com/competition.

That's not all...on 27th February 1973, EMI Records held a press conference for the debut presentation of The Dark Side Of The Moon at the London Planetarium. Although the Planetarium dome could only show an array of stars, constellations and images of the cosmos whilst the music played, it was an unprecedented success. Fifty years on, in recognition of the iconic album and with the help of huge strides in technology, an official full dome experience with stunning visuals of the solar system and beyond and played out to 42 minutes of The Dark Side Of The Moon, will be released in Planetariums around the world in March. Contact your local Planetarium for any screening details.

The announcement notes that the "show itself will be divided between the 10 tracks off the album, in chronological order, each having a different theme; some futuristically looking forward and some a retro acknowledgment to Pink Floyd’s visual history, all relating to a time and space experience, embracing up to the minute technology that only a Planetarium can offer. It promises to be immersive; an all-encompassing surround sound and visual treat that will transcend reality and take you way beyond the realms of 2D experience."

ORDERING INFO:
Here are the direct links available to place your orders for the physical products (which help us with Brain Damage's ongoing running costs, without costing anything further to you!). Amazon purchases before release will take advantage of their pre-order price guarantee, where you will automatically pay the lowest price offered between when you bought the item, and release.

Finally, here are the complete specifications of what's being released:

BOX SET CONTENTS:
CD1 – THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
Remastered 2023 by James Guthrie
in gatefold sleeve with 12-page booklet
CD2 – THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON LIVE AT WEMBLEY EMPIRE POOL, LONDON, 1974
Mixed by Andy Jackson
in gatefold sleeve with 12-page booklet
LP1 – THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
Remastered original studio album
in gatefold sleeve with original posters and stickers
LP2 – THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON LIVE AT WEMBLEY EMPIRE POOL, LONDON, 1974
in gatefold sleeve with 2 posters
BLU-RAY 1 (AUDIO)
Original album 5.1 and high-resolution remastered stereo mixes,
in dedicated wallet:
1. 5.1 Surround Mix – 24bit/96kHz Uncompressed
2. Stereo Mix – 24bit/192kHz Uncompressed
3. 5.1 Surround Mix – dts-HD MA
4. Stereo Mix – dts-HD MA
BLU-RAY 2 (AUDIO)
Original album Dolby Atmos and high-resolution remastered stereo mixes,
in dedicated wallet:
1. Dolby Atmos Mix
2. Stereo Mix – 24-bit/192kHz Uncompressed
3. Stereo Mix – dts-HD MA
DVD (AUDIO)
Original album 5.1 and remastered stereo mixes,
in dedicated wallet:
1. 5.1 Surround Mix – Dolby Digital @448 kbps
2. 5.1 Surround Mix – Dolby Digital @640 kbps
3. Stereo Mix (LPCM) – 24-bit/48 kHz Uncompressed
160-PAGE THAMES & HUDSON HARDBACK BOOK
with rare black and white photographs from the 1972 – 1975 tours of the UK and the USA taken by Jill Furmanovsky, Peter Christopherson, Aubrey Powell, Storm Thorgerson
76-PAGE MUSIC BOOK
of original album
MEMORABILIA:
REPLICAS OF 2×7” SINGLES
in Harvest bags:
7" Single 1 Money/Any Colour You Like
7" Single 2 Us And Them/Time
REPLICA OF EMI PAMPHLET AND INVITE TO THE PREVIEW OF THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON AT THE LONDON PLANETARIUM ON 27TH FEBRUARY 1973

Studio album recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, between May 1972 and January 1973. Produced by Pink Floyd. Engineer Alan Parsons. Assistant Peter James. Mixing supervised by Chris Thomas. Remastered by James Guthrie and Joel Plante at das boot recording. 5.1 and Atmos mixes by James Guthrie.

Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974 recorded at the Empire Pool, Wembley, London, November 1974. Engineers: Brian Humphries with Phill Brown. Audio Mixing by Andy Jackson, assisted by Damon Iddins. Mastered by Andy Jackson at Tube Mastering.

Creative Director 2023: Aubrey Powell/Hipgnosis
Design and Art Direction: Peter Curzon/StormStudios
50th Anniversary Concept and Design: Pentagram