A Global Film Release
David Gilmour’s new concert film, Live at the Circus Maximus, Rome, is in select cinemas and IMAX theaters around the world starting September 17. Screenings span more than 60 countries, giving fans a chance to see the legendary guitarist in a striking setting. The film captures a 22-song performance that includes nearly every track from his 2024 album Luck and Strange, along with Pink Floyd favorites, deep cuts, and solo highlights.
The show was filmed at the historic Circus Maximus in Rome and directed by longtime collaborator Gavin Elder. To mark the release, Gilmour shared a ten-minute video interview on social media, speaking with Elder about the concert. “Well, it’s Italy. It’s Rome. It’s beautiful venues,” the 79-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer said. “You know, these places have an atmosphere to them which can’t help but be contagious. And the Circus Maximus, like the amphitheater in Pompei, are just magical places. You feel the feet of people walking there over millennia. [It] has a spiritual air to it.”
Performing New and Old Songs
Gilmour discussed the balance between fresh material and classics. “It’s exciting playing the new material,” he explained. “I’m a fan of the new. There’s a nostalgic joy in playing all the old songs as well.” Capturing the show was no small task. “Well, it’s a big project. You know, we had 25 cameras. … We have shots over the beautiful eternal city of Rome. And we have my wonderful band playing well over two hours long. Such a beautiful venue. It’s magical.”
Sharing the Stage With His Daughter
A highlight of the concert is Gilmour performing alongside his daughter Romany. She sang and played harp on the Luck and Strange track “Between Two Points,” originally by the Montgolfier Brothers. Romany also provided backing vocals on most of the album and played harp on the instrumental “Vita Brevis,” eventually joining her father’s 2024 tour.
“It’s always been a popular thought that family voices blend together in a special way,” Gilmour said. “I do think that Romany’s voice blends with mine particularly well. And on stage, singing with me on [the Luck and Strange song] ‘[The] Piper’s Call,’ it’s just so fabulous.”
How Romany Became Part of the Tour
The idea for Romany to take the lead on “Between Two Points” came from Gilmour’s wife and lyricist Polly Samson. David explained that the song’s emotional weight “wasn’t sort of consistent with my character.” Polly suggested, “Why don’t we get Romany to give it a go?” Initially, Romany planned to appear as a guest for only a few London shows because of college commitments. “All plans got changed,” David recalled, “and she became one of the team, and brought all of her youthful energy and joy.” A video of her performance from the film is now available on Gilmour’s YouTube channel.
Remembering Rick Wright
Gilmour also reflected on performing his 2015 song “A Boat Lies Waiting,” which pays tribute to founding Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright, who died of cancer in 2008 at age 65. “You can’t sing a song like that without the subject matter, which is in that case Rick, being very present in your thoughts as you’re singing it,” Gilmour shared. “Genius lyrics by Polly. That helps give it the emotional power that it transmits.”
