I’ve been writing recently about 1970s classic rock bands and whether it’s time for them to quit rather than keep running on fumes. There are so many variables that it’s not always an easy decision. Although my focus has been more on bands continuing or calling a halt when key members leave, some of the considerations do apply to solo artists, too.
As an example of one who has continued to perform into his later years, 79-year-old David Gilmour is about to release a package of live material from his latest tour and album.
Pink Floyd carried on well after Syd Barrett left. They also ploughed on when Roger Waters stomped out. But after releasing their Endless River album in 2014, they did bring things to a close as a working band. That left Nick Mason and Gilmour to work on their own projects. Mason formed A Saucerful Of Secrets and has been touring with a focus on early Floyd work.
Gilmour took on more solo projects, though he was always working with great musicians and producers alongside. There was quite a gap after his 2015 album Rattle And Lock, and perhaps we wondered then if that might have been his last. That wasn’t the case and last year saw the release of Luck And Strange from him.
New David Gilmour releases will show he’s still got it live
The album had a fresh new approach in places, but plenty of the familiar sounds and solos from Gilmour that you’d both want and expect. The album made the number one spot in many countries, the UK included, and hit number ten in the US. That’s quite an achievement after such a long gap.
Gilmour took the album on tour and held a 23-night-long series of sell-out concerts. Classic venues and top rock sounds from the guitarist and his band made for some great events. Gilmour is now about to share material from the tour in a series of formats.
I'm thrilled to announce that a live film of my 2024 Rome concerts is coming to cinemas & IMAX worldwide on 17th Sept. Tickets will go on sale for Live at the Circus Maximus, Rome from https://t.co/P9ZvrZZlk2 on 6th Aug.
— David Gilmour (@davidgilmour) July 29, 2025
We're also releasing The Luck and Strange Concerts as a… pic.twitter.com/SuRkhP4HNQ
First up comes a film Live at the Circus Maximus, Rome. Gilmour played his first six dates of the Luck And Strange tour there. The film will be released as an IMAX version in selected cinemas on September 17. A DVD and Blu-ray home version follows a month later on October 17.
Alongside the video release comes a new live album, The Luck and Strange Concerts. It’ll be a four-album collection or double CD. The tracks are all taken from the Rome concerts at the start of the tour. You can expect other variations, Super Deluxe box sets, and more to be available.
Classic Gilmour and Pink Floyd songs feature prominently
The set lists on the albums and video will heavily feature Luck And Strange tracks. But there is plenty of classic Gilmour and Pink Floyd on there. "Comfortably Numb” is a reassuring standard but always a concert high point, as is the case in Rome. He also features a terrific version of “Sorrow” on the collection, which is already available online as a taster of what’s to come.
For many other 1970s bands and artists, there are plenty who feel they have outstayed their welcome. There is a view that if fans buy the tickets, then all is well. Some bands and artists had abandoned new music and were living off their past hits.
In Gilmour's place, he has fully justified his presence in the studio, the album charts, and on the touring stages. These new upcoming releases will provide further evidence of that.