The commemorative celebration of 80 years of David Bowie kicks off with an engrossing Q & A with those closest to him followed by an interactive 360 Lightroom Experienece
Considering David Bowie was and still is, one of the most studied icons of all time, with millions being captivated by the allure and mystery of the Thin White Duke. A book like David Bowie: Music Lover, would need to provide deeply personal and honest accounts into the life of one of Rock’s most elusive characters. If not, it risks becoming another passive table read amongst music lovers and fans alike, who would have delved deep into man’s private life for decades.
Thankfully, the book David Bowie: Music Lover and its Q & A launch event at Lightroom room in London’s King’s Cross, archived this in abundance. Three seasoned raconteers kept an audience of Starman spectators engrossed for nearly 90 minutes.
The co-Authors were Geoff MacCormack, a lifelong friend of Bowie, who had also toured extensively with him and French Journalist Jérôme Soligny, author of rainbowman and a close acquaintance of Bowie for decades. Alongside host Alan Edwards, Bowie’s trusted Publicity for over 30 years, they collectively delivered unprecedented personal recollections at the book launch.
Alan initially invited Dr. Nicola Stacey on stage, director of Heritage of London Trust. She outlined her plans to create a theatrical, immersive experience in the bedroom Bowie was raised in.
Retaining the existing structure, the interior would evoke a 50s style and would reflect a time that influenced Bowie’s early ambitions.
They went on to describe how Bowie’s exposure to American Rock’n’Roll and R&B were crucial in navigating his initial creative stimulus and how mediums such as Luxembourg radio were instrumental in this discovery. Little Richard is highlighted as being one such transformative and shocking icon that would have inevitably shaped the star’s formative years.
Against the stunning 360 Lightroom backdrop to present pages from David Bowie: Music Lover, co-authors Geoff MacCormack and Jérôme Soligny took to the stage. They proceeded to provide an affectionate and anecdotal survey of artists Bowie loved. Each in turn were able to provide a heap of insight into Bowie’s revered and eclectic inner circle.
They explored how Bowie admired the rawness and daring attitude of The Stooges & Iggy Pop, who Bowie supported both personally and as a musician. Their relationship was described as an exchange of artistic energy and friendship across difficult personal periods in both of their lives.
Scott Walker and his formative outfit the Walker Brothers, were described as responsible for being a touchstone for adventurous songwriting in Bowie’s ever growing musical cannon.
The three touched upon the star man’s affiliations with muses from different ends of the musical spectrum. He toured and recorded with Nine Inch Nails throughout the 90s, with the collaboration being described as brave and polarizing but influential in connecting Bowie to alternative audiences at a crucial, transformative point in his career.
Bowie’s craving to discover polarising music and explore ventures outside of the conventional rock avenues were highlighted further. With experimental group Average White Band adding to Bowie’s ever eclectic musical repertoire. Soul, Harlem, and Latin club experiences, such as the heavy influence of Bobby Womack, were described as having informed Bowie’s musical palette in the ’70s.
No book highlighting David Bowie’s love for music would be complete without mentioning Lou Reed and Marc Bolan. They went on to explain how he viewed Lou Reed as a major artist model and how the influence they had on each other is immeasurable. With the foundations of both of their work being heavily integrated into the fabric of their song structures.
The presenters stated they would need hours to fully cover the extent to which Marc Bolan shaped Bowie’s life and career. Against a stunning backdrop, that beautifully encompassed the Lightroom room wall, of a photograph taken during an iconic T-Rex gig in Boston. Alan describes an anecdote, both hilarious and tragic in turn, where Bowie was sent to hospital following an overdose, only for Bolan to take over secretarial duties for the Publicist.
After a heavily attended signing session for the book David Bowie: Music Lover. Next up is the Lightroom interactive presentation David Bowie: You’re not Alone. A staggering achievement in ambition and spectacle, that utilised every inch of the room’s 11-metre walls. Personal, poetic scribblings are sprawled in every corner, alongside interviews previously considered lost in the archives. This part of the experience is unmatched in comparison to any other David Bowie exhibition and is an absolute must for fans and music lovers alike.
Where this presentation really stands up however, is in its ability to immerse you completely into the experience of seeing the Starman live in his prime. With his live performances considered as a life altering experience that few would have had the privilege to witness in person, David Bowie: You’re Not Alone evokes an entrenchment straight into the heart of his ecstatic live performances.
From The vaults of the David Bowie archive, came blistering performances of tracks ranging from Space Oddity, Diamond Dogs (which is a person highlight) and deep cut track from ★. The latter can’t help but tug on the heart strings with its tragic context in hindsight. This is where the specialised HOLOPLOT partial audio system is felt in full force.
A true spectacle for a man who himself, as an icon and musician, was very much a true spectacle. David Bowie: You’re Not Alone runs until January 10th 2027 at The Lightroom, King’s Cross London
David Bowie: Music Lover is available to purchase now
Review by Luke Stanely for THE SONGBIRD HQ