Pink Floyd's masterpiece The Dark Side of the Moon is about to turn 50, and the band has a special box set release planned – as well as other fun events – to celebrate the milestone anniversary.
Out March 24, the CD and vinyl set includes the first standalone LP release of The Dark Side Of The Moon – Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974 as well as a newly remastered version of the entire album. A 50th anniversary photo book, included in the box set, will also be released separately through Thames & Hudson. Also in the box are some replica 7" singles, surround sound and Dolby Atmos mixes for DVD and Blu-Ray, and a 76-page music book.
In a throwback to the press conference in a planetarium where The Dark Side of the Moon premiered in 1973, the album will play in planetariums around the world throughout March. More information about the "Planetarium Project" can be found here – check with your local planetarium for screening details.
Perhaps the most exciting festivity of the 50th anniversary celebration is a competition for animators to create new music videos for the album's 10 tracks. A press release on the band's The Dark Side of the Moon page reads, "Pink Floyd invite a new generation of animators to enter a competition to create music videos for any of the 10 songs on the iconic 1973 album. Pink Floyd has a rich history of collaborating with animators from the beginnings of the band (Ian Emes, Gerald Scarfe, etc.), and in some cases the visuals that accompany the songs have become synonymous with the music itself. The 50th Anniversary will be no exception. The band would like to give all animators an opportunity to present a fresh take on these timeless aural works."
Animators can enter up to 10 videos: one per song on the album. A winner will be selected from a panel of judges which will include Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell (Pink Floyd’s creative director) and the BFI (British Film Institute). The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2023. You can submit your animation here.
In other Pink Floyd news, the band released the song "Hey, Hey, Rise Up!" last year to support Ukrainian war efforts. It was the group's first new single since releasing music in the 90s. The tune featured vocals from Andriy Khlyvnyuk: a member of the Ukrainian band Boombox who left his tour in the U.S. to return home and fight in Ukraine.
You can pre-order the upcoming Dark Side of the Moon box set and other Pink Floyd merch here.
READ NEXT: Top 10 Pink Floyd Songs
Check out our selection of free stations streaming Pink Floyd music at Live365.com.
Rather listen on our app? Download the Live365 app on iOS or Android. Ready to start your own station? Contact one of our Product Consultants or visit our website today. Keep up with the latest news by following us on Facebook (Live365 (Official) and Live365 Broadcasting) and Twitter (@Live365 and @Broadcast365)!
Article Image: A vinyl cover of Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon." (bertys30 via DepositPhotos.)
