Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells is one of the most iconic pieces of music ever created. Recorded when Oldfield was just 19 years old, the album was released on May 25, 1973, as the debut album from Virgin Records. While initial sales were positive, the album became a worldwide phenomenon when the first track was used as part of the soundtrack for The Exorcist. Despite only being featured in a couple of scenes, Tubular Bells has become closely associated with the film, with many referring to it as “the theme of The Exorcist,” and the haunting sounds regularly earning a spot on horror playlists. In the fifty years since its release, the album’s popularity has not waned, racking up more than 17.5 million copies sold and 18 million streams.
Tubular Bells was also a staple of the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony. Academy Award-winner Danny Boyle, director of the opening, stated that he wanted to make the music the “cornerstone” of a 20-minute sequence of the ceremony. Tubular Bells has regularly appeared in advertisements, television shows, movies, and has been incorporated into live performance by Tori Amos.
In celebration of the album’s 50th anniversary, a live concert performance was held over three days at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The music was accompanied by dance and acrobatic feats by the Circa Contemporary Circus to create a beautiful and memorable experience that truly brings this masterpiece to life. This once-in-a-lifetime performance was captured in 4K and will be coming to home video in both a 2-disc Blu-ray and 2-disc DVD set. Home audiences will be able to experience the unique performance while being treated to a feature-length documentary on the history of the Tubular Bells.
The Tubular Bells (2003) Trailer:
“It’s amazing to think that it’s 50 years since I started writing Tubular Bells, and I am touched that my music has reached so many people, all over the world, during that time.
I am sure that the 50th Anniversary Live Concert Experience of Tubular Bells will be spectacular, theatrical, fantastical and thrilling. I’m so excited [it] will be touring the world through to 2023, the 50th anniversary of the original album release.” – Mike Oldfield
Tubular Bells 50th Anniversary Tour: Live at the Royal Festival Hall is being released on November 18, 2022.
