Shirley Bassey to headline Bond 60th Anniversary concert at Royal Albert Hall

Virgin Radio

29 Jul 2022, 07:52

Dame Shirley Bassey will headline a charity concert at Royal Albert Hall to celebrate 60 years of James Bond.

Bassey famously recorded the themes to three bond films (Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker) and will top the bill at The Sound Of 007 in Concert in October this year.

Curated by five-time Bond composer David Arnold and produced by Eon Productions, the show will feature other Bond soundtrack artists such as Garbage, who recorded the theme to 1999's The World Is Not Enough.

There will also be some special guests taking to the stage, including BRIT award-winner Celeste with more to be announced.

Each act will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and conducted by Nicholas Dodd as they put their own touch on the classic Bond theme songs.

The concert is set to take place on 4th October, to coincide with the anniversary of the world premiere of the first 007 film, Dr No, which took place on 5th October 1962 and tickets will be going on sale on Monday.

Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have said music has always played a “vital role in the success of the 007 series” and this concert will be a celebration of that.

They added: “Over the 60-year history, we have been blessed with the extraordinary talents of legendary composers and artists who have created the most powerful and moving musical contributions to our 25 films.

“The Sound Of 007 in Concert on October 4 will celebrate their tremendous achievements.”

Lucy Noble, artistic director of the Royal Albert Hall, also said: “We could not be more honoured to host this landmark anniversary of one of the world’s greatest franchises.

“The Hall has forged an indelible association with 007 over many years and we are delighted to help them celebrate.”

This comes as rumours have begun to fly about who will take over Daniel Craig as the infamous spy after he announced he would be stepping down from the role.

The most recent to be backed as the next 007 is Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page, who was endorsed by Marvel directors the Russo brothers after working with them on the new Netflix film The Gray Man.

Tickets for The Sound of 007 in Concert will go on sale at 10am on 1st August via the Royal Albert Hall website.