Charity Concerts In Remembrance Of Bowie

A series of concerts with David Bowie’s core circle of musicians is set to kick off in London on Jan. 8, the late singer’s 70th birthday, before touring the world. The London concert takes place at The O2 Academy in Brixton, Bowie’s birthplace.

All proceeds from ticket sales, priced at £55 and up to £150 for the VIP experience, will go to the British Children & the Arts charity.

The concert series, dubbed Celebrating David Bowie, will be continued around the globe “in cities that have a strong connection with David Bowie and his work,” as an announcement states. The concept was inspired by two ensemble shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco in spring with Gary Oldman, Seal, Ewan McGregor, Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads, and Bowie band alumni.

All Celebrating David Bowie shows will feature 30 core musicians who toured with the icon, “plus another 40 or more local musicians, to create a sound like no other.” In London, the same ensemble that played the New York and San Francisco shows will be joined by former Bowie band members Mike Garson, Earl Slick, Adrian Belew, Mark Plati, Gerry Leonard, Gail Ann Dorsey, Sterling Campbell, Zachary Alford, Holly Palmer and Catherine Russell, “along with many other special guests to be announced.”

Oldman, who held a speech in remembrance of his friend at this year’s Brit Awards, will also be on stage.

The announcement states that “this is the first and last time this inner circle will do anything like this and these shows are likely to be the last time that they perform his music together; sadly, this may be the closest anyone will come to a David Bowie live experience ever again.”