Last week I was invited to attend this event at the Centre For Life in Newcastle. The press release below will explain why I was invited and also the great experience I had!
“Pink Floyd’s iconic album ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ is 50 this year and you can experience the music and stunning visuals in Life’s planetarium in October. The show combines breath-taking views of the solar system and beyond, played out to 42 minutes of The Dark Side Of The Moon. NSC Creative have led the visual production efforts, working closely with Pink Floyd’s long time creative collaborator Aubrey Powell from Hipgnosis.”
Life Science Centre Media Press Release
4 September 2023
Journey to the Dark Side of the Moon takes Floyd fan on a unique trip down memory lane.
One of the first music fans in the world to hear tracks from Pink Floyd’s iconic Dark Side of the Moon album, enjoyed an out of this world trip down memory lane at Life Science Centre (Life), Newcastle.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s iconic album, Life is hosting a memorable experience in the centre’s planetarium, where audiences can enjoy breath-taking visuals of the solar system and beyond, set to tracks from The Dark Side of the Moon.
As a 15-year-old, Peter Smith saw Pink Floyd play at Newcastle City Hall in 1972, when the band first played tunes that would feature on the classic album a year later. At the time the album was provisionally entitled “Eclipse”.
People at these early performances were amongst the first to hear what were to become the timeless tunes that millions know and love.
And the dedicated Floyd fan was delighted to revisit the album over 50 years later at Life.
The 66-year-old Sunderland University emeritus professor said: “I can remember it was a really impressive gig – it was played in quadrophonic sound, with speakers around the hall, and I had never heard anything like it before.
“Since then, I’ve seen Pink Floyd a number of times, including the Dark Side of the Moon tour in 1973, and I jumped at the chance to hear these tracks again.
“I felt completely immersed in the show at Life and the sound quality of the production was fantastic – it was a very special and unique experience.”
The spectacular full-dome planetarium production is set to 10 tracks from the album, with Pink Floyd’s creative director Aubrey Powell, who was behind the famous artwork for the legendary album cover, working closely with NSC Creative to set the tracks to the visuals.
Life’s planetarium uses the most advanced technology available to give ultra-rich, high-resolution visuals providing a truly immersive experience and the show has proved to be a sell-out success, prompting Life to add a number of new dates to meet demand.
Linda Conlon, Chief Executive of Life said: “This unique planetarium show is really igniting interest and it is a very fitting way to celebrate the legacy of this classic album through a new approach.
“We have heard some really nostalgic stories from visitors who have shared a range of personal memories they have of the album – it definitely seems to have resonated with a lot of people.”
A pay bar is available on the evening and for more information on dates, including Christmas shows, and tickets, which are £20, go to life.org.uk/dark-side-moon
If any other visitors to the Dark Side of the Moon planetarium show have a personal story to share, they can contact info@life.org.uk.
Many thanks to the centre for life for letting me use the images on my blog entry
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by dcmuso on September 4, 2023 at 12:52 pm
Great report, Peter – you really have been there for the long haul lifespan of one the all-time great rock albums! So I’m quite jealous that your invitation provided such a rich experience for you, not just soaked in nostalgia but brilliantly presented too.
Posted by vintagerock on September 4, 2023 at 1:56 pm
Many thanks indeed for your positive comment. Much appreciated. I really enjoyed the event. Happy days Peter
Posted by SICKS6SIX on September 4, 2023 at 6:04 pm
I noticed mars has a rip in it. That’s new. I think.
I remember watching jukebox jury (1960s) when Floyd were featured it was so far ahead of the times even today it seems of the future. One of the “experts” on JBJ that night was a professor of music and he told Sid he found the music interesting but asked why so loud. He also predicted that this new psychedelic music had no future and wasn’t real music. The track they played that night I think was Astronomy Dome or Atom heart mother. AHM still one of my favourite Floyd tracks. Was it part of the soundtrack to this night you attended.
Posted by vintagerock on September 4, 2023 at 6:39 pm
It must have been astronomy domine If it was Syd era Pink Floyd. Fascinating story. Many thanks Peter
Posted by Ciaran MacNamee on September 4, 2023 at 8:39 pm
Loved this post too. Sounds like a fantastic experience, and what a set of memories from 1972 & 73. The images look brilliant.
Posted by vintagerock on September 5, 2023 at 9:23 am
Many thanks Ciaran. Yes it was a great event. Happy days Peter
Posted by pete on September 5, 2023 at 7:34 pm
would really like to see this on tour . Are there any other suitable venues ?? E.g. the O2 comes to mind.
Posted by vintagerock on September 6, 2023 at 11:25 am
Hi Pete yes it is going on tour. There is a list of dates on the Pink Floyd website best wishes Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on September 6, 2023 at 1:09 pm
Great tip, Peter. I see that there’s an event relatively near me. Delighted to find this.
Posted by vintagerock on September 6, 2023 at 3:12 pm
That’s wonderful Ciaran! It is worth going to see if you can best wishes Peter