Photo: Press
Isle Of Wight Festival promoter and booking agent David Giddings has confirmed the news that, deep down, we all knew already - David Bowie has retired from touring.
The singer hasn't toured since 2004, and has showed little sign of wanting to get back on the road. Back in 2013, hopes were briefly raised with the surprise release of a new album, The Next Day. Would he accompany its release with a world tour? No, as it turned out.
Check out Bowie's latest track 'Blackstar' below
Now, speaking to Music Week, David Giddings (who has worked as Bowie's booking agent) has some bad news straight from the horse's mouth. "He has decided to retire," he revealed, "and, like Phil Collins, you can't demand these people go out there again and again and again. I’m really pleased and proud that the last show he ever did in the UK was the 2004 Isle Of Wight Festival."
He also said, "David is one of the best artists I’ve ever worked with, but every time I see him now, before I even speak to him, he goes, 'I’m not touring' and I say, 'I’m not asking'."
Given Bowie's capacity to shock and surprise though, and the frequency with which artists 'retire' from touring before changing their mind, we wouldn't rule it out completely. Just maybe don't hold your breath.
Of course, we already new all of this - read why here.
However, he's still making music - this month releasing new track 'Blackstar' from new TV series The Last Panthers. This was his first taster of new material since the bonus footage on his stunning 2013 comeback album, The Next Day - but Bowie's been a busy man penning music for a Spongebob Squarepants musical and Lazarus - a stage show of his own, based on the iconic film The Man Who Fell To Earth.
He released the compilation box set Five Years last month.
