Director Brett Morgen has completed restoration work on archival footage documenting David Bowie’s performances at Earl’s Court in 1978, material that remained largely unavailable to the public for nearly five decades. Morgen discovered the 35mm film reels while accessing Bowie’s extensive archive during production of his 2022 documentary Moonage Daydream. The footage was originally commissioned by Bowie and filmed by director David Hemmings during two of three sold-out summer shows where the artist performed material from his albums Low and “Heroes.”
Bowie had initially envisioned the filmed performances as a theatrical release alternative to touring, but the project was shelved as he moved on to other projects, eventually relocating to Switzerland. Bowie reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the editing and the concept fell out of favor during that period of his career. However, before his death in 2016, Bowie revived the idea of eventually releasing the material.
Morgen’s restoration process involved extensive color-grading work spanning over 1,000 hours to prepare the well-preserved footage for contemporary audiences. The original material benefited from quality cinematography and audio recording by Bowie’s longtime producer Tony Visconti. Morgen removed supplementary elements that filmmaker Hemmings had incorporated, focusing instead on the concert performances themselves.
Rather than a traditional cinema release, the project will premiere as a multimedia arena experience combining multiple screens, integrated lighting design, and 7.1 surround sound. The presentation incorporates material from both nights of performances, which featured improvisational arrangements and different song selections. The experience will debut at the Berlin film festival in February 2027 before beginning a broader tour.
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