David Bowie's 1978 Concert Film 'Stage' to Be Remounted as Immersive Show

David Bowie's unreleased concert film, 'Stage', from 1978 is set to be remounted as an immersive, multi-screen live show, premiering in Berlin in February 2027. Originally directed by David Hemmings, 'Stage' captured Bowie’s performances during his 1978 tour supporting the albums 'Low' and 'Heroes', known as the 'Isolar II World Tour'. Hemmings filmed three shows at Earl’s Court in London in June 1978, with Bowie intending for the film to be showcased in unconventional spaces like music venues, offering an alternative to traditional touring. Although 'Stage' was released as a live album in September 1978, Bowie halted his touring plans until 1983 due to dissatisfaction with the film's initial presentation. In a 2001 interview, Bowie reflected on his earlier reservations about the footage, stating, "I simply didn’t like the way it had been shot. Now, of course, it looks pretty good and I would suspect that it would make it out some time in the future."

Now, the visionary director Brett Morgen, known for his work on 'Moonage Daydream', has taken the helm to adapt Hemmings’ original footage into a new work, also titled 'Stage'. Morgen's journey with the project began in 2018 when he was exploring Bowie’s archives while working on 'Moonage Daydream'. He has spent years remastering the original 35mm footage, enhancing it with meticulous color grading, relighting, and hand painting, all while configuring the film for a multi-screen experience.

The immersive show will debut at the Uber Arena in Berlin on February 14, 2027, conveniently located near Hansa Studios, where both 'Heroes' and parts of 'Low' were recorded. The event promises to be a spectacle, featuring a lighting show designed by Patrick Woodroffe and immersive audio mixed by Paul Massey, complemented by elaborate LED displays to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a full-scale rock concert. Collaborators on the project include Rob Hallett’s Wonderworld and the David Bowie Estate, ensuring a rich and authentic experience for attendees.

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An official teaser for the project has already been released, generating excitement among fans. As anticipation builds for this innovative presentation of Bowie's work, the music community looks forward to revisiting the legendary artist's performances in a groundbreaking format.