THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
50th Anniversary Edition Box Set
One of the most iconic and influential albums ever, Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ continues to find new audiences globally. This year, to celebrate its 50th Anniversary, a new deluxe box set will be released on 24th March.
It includes CD and gatefold vinyl of the new 2023 remastered studio album and Blu-Ray + DVD audio featuring the original 5.1 mix and remastered stereo versions. The set also includes additional new Blu-ray disc of Atmos mix, plus CD and LP of ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon – Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974’, a 160-page hardback photo book, a music book, replica 7” singles and memorabilia. For full details see full listing via the BUY LINK above.
RECORDINGS
The Dark Side Of The Moon album was partly developed in 1972 during live performances, and the band premiered an early version of the suite at London’s Rainbow Theatre several months before recording began. It is the eighth studio album by Pink Floyd, originally released in the US on 1 March and then in the UK on 16th March 1973. The new material was recorded in 1972 and 1973 at EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios) in London. The iconic sleeve, which depicts a prism spectrum, was designed by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis and drawn by George Hardie.
‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ has sold over 50 million copies worldwide.
LIVE AT WEMBLEY
This live release is the first ever vinyl issue of Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon – Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974’ which will also be released independently. 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.
ANIMATION COMPETITION
The 50th Anniversary release of the iconic album has continued being celebrated as Pink Floyd invited a new generation of animators to enter a competition, curated by Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell of Hipgnosis, to create music videos for any of the 10 songs on the iconic 1973 album. Pink Floyd have 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 band gave all animators an opportunity to present a fresh take on these timeless aural works. Animators could enter up to 10 videos, one per song on the album. Winners will be selected by the panel of judges.
The competition closed on December 31st 2023.
PLANETARIUM SHOWS
On February 27th 1973, EMI Records held a press conference for the debut presentation of Pink Floyd’s new album 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 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.
