1978 Footage Anchors David Bowie Immersive Premiere in Berlin

The world premiere of a new David Bowie immersive concert experience called “Stage” is scheduled for Feb. 14 at Berlin’s Uber Arena. The event will take place during the Berlin Film Festival, marking a rare appearance of alternative programming at the European film event.

The production centers on footage from the 1978 Isolar II World Tour. This material, which captures Bowie performing songs from his album “Heroes,” was recently discovered and restored. The experience combines this previously unseen video with immersive sound and light elements.

Documentary filmmaker Brett Morgen, who won a Grammy for his previous Bowie feature “Moonage Daydream,” found the original camera negatives while working on that earlier project. Morgen is collaborating with the David Bowie Estate and Rob Hallett’s Wonderworld to present the material. Hallett, former president of AEG International, founded Wonderworld to oversee the production.

The stage design utilizes three screens, including large-scale projections and transparent LED panels. Patrick Woodroffe, a lighting designer known for work with the Rolling Stones and Elton John, created the lighting design. Audio for the show features a specially created mix by Academy Award winner Paul Massey, who also worked on “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Michael.” The sound system uses 7.1 surround technology and spatial audio design to place audiences in the center of the performance.

Tricia Tuttle, director of the Berlinale, described the collaboration as a dream come true. She noted that the city’s close connection to Bowie makes the Berlin premiere especially meaningful. “It’s like a dream come true: Bowie, Brett Morgen, a world-class sound and light team all coming together in the city’s premiere music arena,” Tuttle said.

Rob Hallett stated that the team is ensuring the experience remains faithful to Bowie’s legacy. “We are ensuring this experience is 100% faithful to his legacy while making his genius accessible to global fans and a new generation,” Hallett said. Morgen will also serve as a headline speaker during the talks program of Berlinale’s European Film Market. Further details about the event will be released in the coming weeks.