Sir Cliff Richard is taking notes from pop stars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé as the singer announces he is launching a concert film – which will be his first return to cinemas in a decade.
Sir Cliff, who is the third-top-selling artist in the UK’s Singles Chart history, will be including a live show with his upcoming Blue Sapphire Tour.
The concert film – which will mark his first appearance in cinemas since 2012, will be screened in more than 400 cinemas in the UK and across the world.
The 83-year-old is following in the footsteps of pop stars, with Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour earning £160 million at the box office, and Beyoncé planning a similar venture which will be called Renaissance.
Sir Cliff last appeared in cinemas when he played a busker in the comedy Run For Your Wife, starring Danny Dyer, but his first venture on the big screen was in the 1959 film Serious Charge.
: Sir Cliff Richard performs on tour at Bournemouth B.I.C on October 17, 2018
Sir Cliff Richard celebrates his 83rd birthday. Credit: Robin Williams/Danilo Promotions
The singer announced the concert film – marking the 65th anniversary of his music career breakthrough – on his YouTube channel, and said: ‘Fans can experience one of my concerts from the comfort of their local cinema.’
He added: ‘I’m happy to tell you I’m going to sing for you all 14 of my Number One hits.’
‘I’m going to have the pleasure to be able to speak to some friends of mine in front of you on stage, live. I’m going to be live talking to Sir Tim Rice, and also Tim Dale.
‘In Blackpool it’s going to be Peter Price, and in Glasgow it’s going to be Billie Sloan.’
During his career, Sir Cliff also made a series of films including the 1963 musical Summer Holiday.
His return to screens will be filmed at a concert in west London at the Hammersmith Apollo.
Projects like this have been successful for older acts, with a 2023 re-release of the Talking Heads’ 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense earning over £4million.
Ticket prices for the 165-minute film, directed by Brian Klien, are selling for £15.
Taylor Swift performs onstage during “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” at SoFi Stadium, California
Taylor Swift performs during the opener of her Eras tour in Glendale, Ariz
Beyoncé performs onstage at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada
The description for the event at reads: ‘Filmed at the renowned Hammersmith Apollo, one of London’s most stunning music venues, the event will also include never seen before footage.
‘Across his illustrious and unrivalled eight-decade career spanning stage and screen, Sir Cliff Richard has become a British icon and cultural treasure, amassing many gold and platinum records.
‘Well over 250 million records sales worldwide, 14 number-one singles, a colossal 96 Top 20 hits, seven number-one albums and a string of Brit and Ivor Novello awards to his name.
‘Sir Cliff will be bringing a selection from his huge catalogue of hits back to the stage for this monumental celebration, including “Move It”, “Wired for Sound”, “Saviours Day” and “The Young Ones”.
Many celebrities have benefited from the so-called ‘Taylor Swift effect’ of associating with the star or trying to associate with her.
This effect may see Sir Cliff’s concert film soar in numbers after the Shake It Off singer paved the way with the biggest opening for a concert film so far.
