December 27, 1997 Floyd may perform at Egypt's pyramids for new year's eve 1999-2000 According to the online newspaper "Egypt Today", a Pink Floyd concert at Egypt's Great Pyramids is planned for New Year's Eve 1999. The concert would be the culmination of a series of concerts at the pyramids called "Songs for the Pyramids," which is scheduled to include Sting, U2 and the Rolling Stones among other acts. If Egypt's government approves the plans, the concerts would take place at the "Field of Roses Arena" on the west side of the pyramids. Sting is scheduled to play at the pyramids on 12 March 1998. U2 is planning to play on 27 March at Cairo Stadium, not far from the pyramids, but thry intend to shoot a video at the Giza Plateau. The Rolling Stones are scheduled to perform at the puramids on 17 September. The Stones plan to build a special stage for their concert at the Pyramids. Mark Fisher, a longtime associate of Pink Floyd, designed the stage for the Stones' current tour. A series of seven concerts is planned for the pyramids at the end of December 1999. The series beginning on 27 December would include a major classical pianist, several leading jazz performers, and three singers. But the highlight of the series would be the planned Pink Floyd concert at the pyramids on 31 December 1999. "The pyramids will be a major focal point at the millennium, as symbols of eternity," says Rajef Paul, general manager and vice president of Mena House Oberoi, a nearby hotel. "The TV coverage will be incredibly powerful. And the pyramids denote Egypt. It will be a win-win situation for whoever performs and for the tourism industry here itself." The concerts are being planned and promoted by Blue Nile Inc., an agency based in New York. Blue Nike has the backing of the Time Warner recording label, and the cautious approval of Egypt's Ministry of Culture. Blue Nile, Time Warner and the performers don't expect to make much money from ticket sales. Broadcasting rights, however, may prove very lucrative. Global television coverage is planned for some of the shows, but it is unknown whether that will include the Pink Floyd show. The greatest threat to the planned series of concerts comes from the local beaurocratic system surrounding Cairo and the pyramids. Obtaining government approval may be difficult, and could easily cause delays in the concert schedule. Unfortunately, any delay will mean a great loss of revenue. "Logistically, it's a nightmare," El Banna told Egypt Today. "Committees galore." When Phil Collins cancelled his planned performance in Egypt in 1996 due to a lack of government approval, $40,000 was lost between Blue Nile's deposit and legal fees. Obtaining approval for rock concerts may be difficult. "You have to understand that the pyramids are not Disneyland," said Dr. Zahi Hawass, director of the Giza Plateau and one whose approval is required for the concerts. "You can't bring people like Sting here--it would ruin the mystery." Hawass did sign the original 1995 approval for Blue Nile, but states, "We signed a contract with someone, yes. But until now he hasn't told us who is playing." Terrorism could also pose an obstacle to the planned concerts. Prince cancelled a planned 1996 concert after a terrorist attack on tourists. El Banna has, however, worked to calm worries and prevent any cancellations, and has so far been successful. But Egypt's 56% tax on ticket sales may also prove to be a discouragement for some bands. El Banna estimates a $6 million price tag on the cost for U2 alone to visit Egypt. Due to the great expense involved in each show, any concert in Egypt must be part of a tour, and not a "one-off" performance. The original report of the planned concerts in Egypt was published in "Egypt Today" on 5 December 1997. ©1997 Dave Ward