Neil Hannon Joins BBC Proms Tribute To David Bowie

Neil Hannon will join the line-up for the hotly anticipated Bowie Prom night airing tonight (Friday 29 July, 10.15pm).

"I was 8 or 9 years old when David Bowie burned his way onto my retina, dressed in a terrifying clown outfit up to his waist in fluorescent ocean, singing easily the strangest pop song I'd ever heard," Hannon said. "I've probably spent my whole life since trying to be even half as creative or original. I'm delighted that the BBC Proms have given me the opportunity to pay my dues to a colossus of modern culture.”

He joins an already rich array of artists with Marc Almond, John Cale, Laura Mvula, Amanda Palmer, Anna Calvi, Paul Buchanan, Conor O’Brien and countertenor Philippe Jaroussky all taking to the Royal Albert Hall stage.

The artists will celebrate the life and work of David Bowie by reimagining his catalogue with fresh interpretations of classic works spanning his career, from 1969's Space Oddity to his final release Blackstar, just days before his death in January 2016.

Curated and directed by André de Ridder, the Prom will be a celebration of some of Bowie’s most famous works alongside some lesser known songs. From 'Heroes' and 'Starman' to 'Valentine’s Day' and 'After All'.

The songs have been arranged by some of today’s top composers and arrangers including Jherek Bischoff, Anna Meredith, Michel van der Aa, David Lang, Josephine Stephenson and Greg Saunier, all working in collaboration with André de Ridder and s t a r g a z e, his Berlin-based musicians collective who form the ensemble for the concert.

The Prom will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and 6 Music at 10.15pm presented by Andrew McGregor and Stuart Maconie, and will be shown that evening on BBC Four television.