Southbank Centre to celebrate 50th anniversary of David Bowie album Aladdin Sane
Southbank Centre will host events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s iconic 1973 album, Aladdin Sane. Here is all you need to know.
Image: Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive & The David Bowie ArchiveTM
In April, the Southbank Centre in London is set to captivate visitors with an array of exhilarating events and exhibitions, among them is a two-month-long exhibition titled Aladdin Sane: 50 Years, curated by Chris Duffy, the son of renowned photographer Brian Duffy, who worked with David Bowie to create the iconic lightning flash portrait. The exhibition will be held in the Spirit Level at the Royal Festival Hall from 6 April - 28 May 2023, and will showcase the journey of the Aladdin Sane portrait, exploring how Bowie's continuous transformation of his image influenced audiences to rethink their own identities. The exhibition will begin by highlighting the dynamic music scene of the early 1970s, contextualising the pivotal moment when Bowie and Duffy first met. From there, it will delve into the unique relationship between the musician and the photographer, and the January 1973 photoshoot that resulted in the iconic Aladdin Sane image.
The Southbank Centre Archive will also present a free display that will explore David Bowie's history with the Centre, spanning over 50 years, and his enduring legacy. Visitors can expect to see never-before-seen archival material, including Bowie's performance in the newly opened Purcell Room in 1969, his later performances alongside Lou Reed, and his curation of Southbank Centre's annual contemporary music festival, Meltdown.
The Southbank Centre will be a hub of activity, with live performances, talks, and poetry events also taking place alongside the exhibitions. The Aladdin Sane: 50 Years exhibition and the Southbank Centre Archive display are must-see events for David Bowie fans and anyone interested in the cultural history of London.
Music events
Image: Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive & The David Bowie ArchiveTM
Music lovers are in for a treat as the Southbank Centre hosts a weekend of live performances in tribute to David Bowie's album, Aladdin Sane. The Royal Festival Hall will be packed full of iconic performances on Friday 21 April 2023, hosted by the Nu Civilisation Orchestra and featuring performances by Mercury Prize nominee Anna Calvi, Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears, Roxanne Tataei and pop maestro Lynks. The album will be performed in its entirety, showcasing major Bowie hits such as The Jean Genie, Drive in Saturday and Lady Grinning Soul. Glam rock and clear-cut nostalgia will be the pinnacle theme for the night.
For those who prefer club music, the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer will also host two nights of music events to celebrate Bowie's legacy. On Friday 21 April, the DJ collective and community platform Queer House Party will take over and offer a jam-packed programme of queer joy and rave. The following evening, Saturday 22 April, Afro-Caribbean inspired Queer Bruk will blend dancehall, afrobeats, soca and more for an evening of rhythm, vibrancy and all-embracing inclusivity. Both events promise to be fun, energetic and celebrate the spirit of David Bowie's iconic persona and anarchist energy.
Click here for the full programme of events.
Date: 6 April – 28 May 2023. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX.
