David Bowie Prom gets mixed reviews on Twitter

Last night saw the Albert Hall packed to the rafters with David Bowie fans for a Prom in tribute to the late singer who passed away earlier this year.

Curated, conducted and directed by Andre de Ridder, the concert called upon the talents of John Cale, Laura Mvula, Amanda Palmer and many more and spanned the musician’s entire career, from Space Oddity to his final album Blackstar, released just two days before his death.

Fame: It’s @lauramvula at @BBCProms #BowieProm Listen: https://t.co/ZLqiC1QpZb https://t.co/pJ608QCOXX

— BBC Radio 6 Music (@BBC6Music) July 29, 2016

There were famous faces in the audience, among them former Doctor Who companion Katy Manning.

David Bowie prom tonight ! Xxx pic.twitter.com/fF5NJQJM9v

— KatyManning Official (@ManningOfficial) July 30, 2016

And some fans took to Twitter in praise of the compilation of hits, performed in front of the venue’s 5,000-strong audience.

Neil Hannon doing a great job on "Station To Station". Sounds fantastic. #BowieProm @divinecomedyhq

— Baron of Haringey (@darren_haringey) July 29, 2016

Wow. Perfect voice and this isn't an easy song to find a voice for. #BowieProm

— ❄ chiller ★ ❄ ?? (@chiller) July 29, 2016

The Bowie prom was exactly what a Bowie prom should have been: quixotic, challenging, playful, maddening and mainly brilliant.

— Stuart Maconie (@StuartMaconie) July 30, 2016

It was too long and there was one wince inducing performance. But then did you remember when Bowie did the Lords Prayer at Wembley…

— Stuart Maconie (@StuartMaconie) July 30, 2016

We've had such a great time watching the #BowieProm. Hats off to everyone involved, it was a thrilling tribute to a truly great musician.

— Colin Smith (@Colin_TBTAMC) July 29, 2016

Fantastic #BowieProm on iPlayer: astonishing arrangements, committed performances & music's power to celebrate, move commemorate to the fore

— David Martin (@CreativeSDS) July 30, 2016

But others were left unimpressed, and took to Twitter to air their grievances.

#BowieProm – not great is it? #shame

— Matthew Bourne (@SirMattBourne) July 29, 2016

*very quiet voice* I hate the Bowie prom.

— India Knight (@indiaknight) July 29, 2016

#BowieProm They're playing the notes but not necessarily in the right order.

— Caroline Berry (@1CarolineBerry) July 29, 2016

I'm not saying this #BowieProm is bad but my cat has tried ringing the RSPCA three times.

— David Owens (@asoundreaction) July 29, 2016

John Cale’s performance in particular drew a mixed response from viewers:

I'm just going to say that John Cale best captured the spirit of Bowie. If you don't get it, you're a lightweight. #BowieProm

— Aaron Vallely (@Vallmeister) July 29, 2016

You know I'm sure John Cale doing Space Oddity must've looked like a great idea on paper. #BowieProm

— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) July 29, 2016

Meanwhile, some resorted to gifs of the great man himself to sum up their feelings…

#BowieProm in a nutshell. pic.twitter.com/iS7pF8YxxI

— Simon Pegg (@Simon_Pegg) July 29, 2016

Oh Christ, there's more. #BowieProm pic.twitter.com/OymqMJ3JR4

— monolith-of-london (@floweroflondon) July 29, 2016

This sums it up #BowieProm pic.twitter.com/CsTxXyYHFK

— Dawn (@DawnSunrise1) July 29, 2016

And one tweeter took solace in the trombonist’s facial expression.

The "please help me" glances to the camera from a trombonist have been a comforting theme throughout #BowieProm pic.twitter.com/YX3ABkF1Hy

— John Williams (@WorldofTelly) July 29, 2016

But amid the confused response, @nicosarti made a very good point…

To all the critics of #BowieProm, remember Bowie was first & foremost an instigator, he'd 've loved artists experimenting with his music

— Nico Sarti (@nicosarti) July 29, 2016