The Planetarium Project
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. There was already a buzz in the music biz that the album was something very special and invites for London’s press and media were at a premium there being only so many seats in the auditorium. The group, who were renowned for shunning publicity, were expected to make an appearance given the excitement surrounding the release, which only added to their guests’ anticipation. It was felt the Planetarium as a backdrop for the 42 minute playback was a suitable venue for Britain’s number one ‘psychedelic space rock’ band – a title they disliked and hoped the new record would put paid to that misnomer. Although the Planetarium dome could only show an array of stars, constellations and images of the cosmos whilst the music played, it probably wouldn’t help to dispel the myth, which didn’t go unnoticed by the members of Pink Floyd. The invitation had a photograph of the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo on the front, which many believed was the album cover, and led to further speculation as to what the enigmatic band were up to now. It was all a deceit.
As the audience faithfully arrived at 3 pm sharp they were met not by the band but by four life sized cardboard cut outs of Pink Floyd in defiance to EMI’s wishes for them to attend and in protest at the venue. One member did turn up – Richard Wright the keyboardist – who had not received the message of a boycott. He hastily beat a retreat when he realised he was alone. The event was an unmitigated success and the album went on to sell over 50 million copies to date.
Fifty years on in recognition of Pink Floyd’s iconic album, what more fitting a place to celebrate and replay the music set to visuals than a Planetarium. Much water has passed under the bridge since the premiere in 1973 and in retrospect they all agree the brilliance of the band’s non appearance at London’s Planetarium raised more by–lines in the press and accolades for the music than the distraction of their presence to promote the album. Forever anti-establishment and so typical of Pink Floyd’s recipe for success by not kowtowing to the norm and always bucking the system, this attitude was to continue for the rest of their career.
Consequently, and with the help of modern technology, the idea of a revised show at 100 Planetariums around the world combined with stunning visuals – still the solar system and beyond – played out to 42 minutes of The Dark Side Of The Moon – has appealed to Pink Floyd. I am certain there will still be a ‘no-show’ from the band, but there will be card board cut outs to remind the audience who Pink Floyd are, and just how significant a role the Planetarium played in the history of the record. It’s a 50th anniversary for the Planetarium event too, only global this time, not just in London.
The show itself will be divided between the 10 tracks of the album, and 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. In the modern parlance it’s truly immersive; an all encompassing surround sound and visual treat that will transcend reality and take you way beyond the realms of 2D experience.
Aubrey Powell
PLANETARIUMS CONFIRMED SO FAR (MANY MORE TO COME):
AUSTRALIA, MELBOURNE, MELBOURE PLANETARIUM
FROM 7TH JULY
TICKETS
CANADA, MONTREAL, RIO TINTO ALCAN PLANETARIUM
FROM 3RD MAY
TICKETS
CANADA, EDMONTON, TELUS WORLD OF SCIENCE
FROM 20TH APRIL
TICKETS
BELGIUM, BRUSSELS PLANETARIUM
FROM 25TH MAY
TICKETS
CZECHIA, KRAVI HORA BRNO OBESRVATORY AND PLANETARIUM
FROM 25TH MARCH
TICKETS
GERMANY, BOCHUM ZEISS PLANETARIUM
FROM 17TH MAY
TICKETS
GERMANY, GLUECKSBURG MENKE PLANETARIUM
FROM 22ND APRIL
TICKETS
GERMANY, HAMBURG PLANETARIUM
FROM 24TH MARCH
TICKETS
GERMANY, KIEL, MEDIENDOM DER FACHHOCHSCHULE KIEL
FROM 1ST APRIL
TICKETS
GERMANY, MANNHEIM PLANETARIUM
FROM 13TH MAY
TICKETS
GERMANY, SOLINGEN GALILEUM
FROM 1ST MAY
TICKETS
GERMANY, WOLFSBURG PLANETARIUM
FROM 16TH MAY
TICKETS
GERMANY, MUNSTER, PLANETARIUM IM LWL-MUSEUM FÜR NATURKUNDE
FROM JUNE
TICKETS
GERMANY, RODEWISCH, STERNWARTE UND PLANETARIUM
FROM 1ST MAY
TICKETS
ITALY, SAN VALENTINO IN CAMPO, PLANETARIUM SUDTIROL ALTO ADIGE
FROM 21ST JULY
TICKETS
NETHERLANDS, THE HAGUE, MUSEON-OMNIVERSUM
FROM 25TH MAY
TICKETS
SWITZERLAND, LUZERN PLANETARIUM IM VERKEHRSHAUS DER SCHWEIZ
FROM 1ST APRIL
TICKETS
UK, EDINBURGH, DYNAMIC EARTH
FROM 1ST AUGUST
TICKETS
UK, GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE
FROM 24TH MARCH
TICKETS
UK, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, INTERNATIONAL LIFE CENTRE
21ST JUNE 2023
TICKETS
UK, NORTHERN IRELAND, ARMAGH PLANETARIUM
FROM 1ST MAY
TICKETS
UK, WINCHESTER, WINCHESTER SCIENCE CENTRE
FROM 17TH MAY
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USA, CHICAGO ADLER PLANETARIUM
FROM 31ST MARCH
TICKETS
USA, DENVER, GATES PLANETARIUM
FROM 9TH JUNE
TICKETS
USA, EAST LANSING, ABRAMS PLANETARIUM
FROM 1ST JULY
TICKETS
USA, FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY PLANETARIUM
FROM 6TH APRIL
TICKETS
USA,KENTUCKY, HARDIN PLANETARIUM
FROM 7TH JULY
TICKETS
USA, MILWAUKEE, MILMAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM
FROM 1ST SEPTEMBER
TICKETS
USA, ORONO, MAYNARD JORDAN PLANETARIUM
FROM 1ST JULY
TICKETS
USA, SACRAMENTO, MOSAC
FROM 16TH JUNE
TICKETS
USA, TWIN FALLS, FAULKNER PLANETARIUM
FROM 5TH MAY
TICKETS
Contact your local Planetarium for any screening details
