After Dark - Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon 50 years

Dates: Saturday 18th May 2024 Other dates available
Location: Planetarium
Duration: Doors to the Science Centre open at 6:30pm, 45 minute show starts at 7:15pm
Tickets: £25 - 17s and over only

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic The Dark Side of the Moon album. Watch as breath-taking Planetarium visuals bring to life the sounds of the legendary Pink Floyd.

This year, our Planetarium is joining one hundred others around the world in an event like no other. Fifty years on from the release of The Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd are celebrating by recreating their famous 1973 London Planetarium press launch but on a global scale. Head off on an emotional and inspiring journey into the heart and themes of the iconic album and songs. Fly through the Solar System and zoom through the stars in a 360 degree fulldome experience. We're sure you'll be wowed by The Great Gig in the Sky, that will Eclipse all others, leaving Us and Them wanting more!

The show will be divided between the 10 tracks of the album in chronological order. Each track will have a different theme, some futuristically looking forward and some a retro acknowledgment to Pink Floyd’s visual history.

Your Pink Floyd ticket includes:

  • Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon 50 years experience in the Planetarium
  • Opportunity to purchase drinks at the bar


Please note this event is for visitors age 17 years and over. Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:15pm.

This event is a fundraising event for Wonderseekers.

The Story...

On 27th February, 1973, EMI Records held a press conference for the debut presentation of Pink Floyd’s new album The Dark Side Of The Moon at the London Planetarium. It was felt the Planetarium as a backdrop for the 42 minute playback was a suitable venue for Britain’s number one ‘psychedelic space rock’ band.

The group, who were renowned for shunning publicity, were expected to make an appearance given the excitement surrounding the release, which only added to their guests’ anticipation. As the audience faithfully arrived at 3 pm sharp they were met not by the band but by four life sized cardboard cut outs of Pink Floyd in defiance to EMI’s wishes for them to attend and in protest at the venue.

Despite the band's no-show, the event was an unmitigated success and the album went on to sell over 50 million copies to date.

Fifty years on in recognition of Pink Floyd’s iconic album, what more fitting a place to celebrate and replay the music set to visuals than a Planetarium. With the help of modern technology, the idea of a revised show at 100 Planetariums around the world combined with stunning visuals – still the solar system and beyond – played out to 42 minutes of The Dark Side Of The Moon – has appealed to Pink Floyd.

Accessibility information for Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon 50 years

The Planetarium is fully accessible. If you have a wheelchair, we have spaces for you to sit with seats for your family and friends. The stairs have lights to make them easy to see. They are wide and broad. Seating is raked - seats at the back sit almost upright, seats at the front lean back. Whichever seat you choose, you’ll always get a padded flip-up seat with head-rest.

We have blue badge parking available and level access throughout the venue.

Find out more about accessibility

Showtimes

Arrival: from 6:30pm

Show starts: 7:15pm

Show finishes: 8pm