London Evening Standard - 13th August 2003
Bowie with added popcorn
Music legend David Bowie is to perform to tens of thousands of fans around the world with a single concert - by beaming it into dozens of cinemas.
The show will launch new album Reality, which he is expected to play in its entirety, as well as some of his classics.
And fans unable to cram into the London concert on September 8 will be able to see the rock idol when it is beamed to large screens via satellite.
He will also make the 90-minute gig interactive by giving cinema audiences a chance to quiz him in a question and answer session, as well as requesting tracks.
Bowie has long been a fan of enhancing his work with groundbreaking technology and the satellite event will bring together fans in far-flung spots such as Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, Warsaw and Tokyo.
His spokesman said: "This is another example of how Bowie constantly pushes the boundaries."
Fans in Europe will see the show as it happens but because of time zone issues the concert will be aired in Asia, Japan and Australia the following day. North and South America will see it on September 15.
The show will be shot digitally in widescreen and recorded in surround sound for perfect reproduction in cinemas.
Tickets for screenings at Odeon cinemas in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Brighton and London's West End go on sale at 9am on Thursday.
Bowie's last album Heathen saw a return to credibility by making it on to the shortlist for the Mercury Music Prize last year. His new release is out on September 15.
Reality includes a cover of the late George Harrison-penned track Try Some, Buy Some, which had been recorded by Ronnie Spector.
"It never really occurred to me that I was actually covering a George Harrison song," said Bowie, who teamed up with John Lennon for the single Fame in 1975.
"I was kind of doing an homage to Ronnie because I've adored her for years. I think it's really rather fitting and quite lovely that in fact, it is an unwitting tribute to George."
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