Music
Neil Hannon to join Late Night BBC Proms tribute to David Bowie
29 July, Royal Albert Hall
Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy will join the line-up for the hotly anticipated Bowie Prom tomorrow night (Friday 29 July, 10.15pm). He joins an already rich array of artists with Marc Almond, John Cale, Laura Mvula, Amanda Palmer, Anna Calvi, Paul Buchanan, Conor O’Brien and countertenor Philippe Jaroussky all taking to the Royal Albert Hall stage.
The artists will celebrate the life and work of David Bowie by re imagining his catalogue with fresh interpretations of classic works spanning his career, from Space Oddity (1969) to Blackstar, released in 2016, just days before his death.
Curated and directed by André de Ridder, the Prom will be a celebration of some of Bowie’s most famous works alongside some lesser known songs. From Heroes and Starman to Valentine’s Day and After All it promises to be an exciting journey, exploring Bowie’s rich and influential legacy.
The songs have been arranged by some of today’s top composers and arrangers including Jherek Bischoff, Anna Meredith, Michel van der Aa, David Lang, Josephine Stephenson and Greg Saunier, all working in collaboration with André de Ridder and s t a r g a z e, his Berlin-based musicians collective who form the ensemble for the concert.
The Prom will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and 6 Music at 10.15pm presented by Andrew McGregor and Stuart Maconie, and will be shown that evening on BBC Four television.
Neil Hannon said: “I was 8 or 9 years old when David Bowie burned his way onto my retina, dressed in a terrifying clown outfit up to his waist in fluorescent ocean, singing easily the strangest pop song I’d ever heard. I’ve probably spent my whole life since trying to be even half as creative or original. I’m delighted that the BBC Proms have given me the opportunity to pay my dues to a colossus of modern culture.”
The Divine Comedy play the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on 26 February 2017. Tickets on sale now.
