Vinyl is clearly not dead - neither is the world's love of Pink Floyd's classic 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon. This week, the album made the number nine spot on the best-selling vinyl album list for 2010, according to Nielsen's SoundScan. In first place was Abbey Road by The Beatles, and Pink Floyd were narrowly beaten into ninth by the "new" release from Jimi Hendrix, Valleys of Neptune.

The album, which was the feature of Roger Waters' tour last time around, has also re-entered the Billboard Catalog album chart this week, at number 20. It's now spent 986 weeks on their charts - achingly close to that magic thousand!

At long last, the striking second feature from Barbet Schroeder - La Vallee/The Valley (Obscured by Clouds) - gets a UK release on DVD, and, for the first time anywhere, on Blu-ray.

Released by the BFI (British Film Institute) on February 14th, 2011, in a Dual Format Edition package, the movie explores the limits of experience as it journeys into the great unknown accompanied by Pink Floyd's wondrous soundtrack, later released as the album Obscured By Clouds.

Previously unavailable in the UK on DVD (having only appeared on this format in the US and Germany), the Dual Format Edition release (a Blu-ray and a DVD disc in the same box) includes a range of special features including three documentary shorts directed by Barbet Schroeder about aspects of the lives of the tribes of Papua New Guinea, and a new director-approved 'optical effect' digitally-restored optional ending.

The Blu-ray (which is not region-locked and therefore suitable for worldwide use) includes a Director-approved High Definition transfer from the original negative, and the package includes theatrical trailers for Schroeder's The Valley, More (1969, also featuring a Pink Floyd soundtrack) and Maîtresse (1974). There's also an illustrated 26-page booklet with rare on-set photographs, an essay: "Childhood's End: Pink Floyd's Music for The Valley (Obscured by Clouds)" by Rob Young, and an essay and new director interview by Emilie Bickerton, author of the recently published book A Short History of Cahiers du Cinéma. Look for our review of this release shortly.

In the meantime, you can pre-order the package now from the following, saving up to 35% off the recommended retail price: Amazon.co.uk, Play.com, and Zavvi.com. You can also order it directly from www.bfi.org.uk/filmstore.

The British Music Experience has a treat in store for music fans and lovers of rock and pop iconography. The BME is a permanent, high-tech, interactive music exhibition which has opened within the world's most popular music venue, The O2 in London. It has just launched a series of intimate events running until April 2011 exploring the iconic imagery of rock and pop music from the perspective of the artists who created it. Guests will have a rare opportunity to listen to and question the photographers and graphic designers who have shaped the visual landscape of music.

On Thursday April 7th, the internationally renowned graphic designers Roger Dean and Storm Thorgerson come together to discuss their careers and the work which has shaped the visual identity of bands such Pink Floyd, Yes, and Asia. For one night only, these two giants of album cover art are coming together to talk about their work, their lives with rock's aristocracy, and the stories behind the iconic sleeves that broke the mould and revolutionized the model for future album covers, as well as inspiring successive generations of graphic designers and music fans. Should be a fascinating event...one not to be missed!

Paul Lilley, curator of the British Music Experience, said: "We are really excited about Visual Identity and that so many illustrious figures in the field have agreed to take part. The photographers and designers hosting these sessions are internationally revered and appreciated and the evenings will give music fans access to the key people behind a wealth of iconic imagery."

Tickets for the event are £8.50, and are available now via the British Music Experience website. Events will take place from 7.30pm to 9pm; the museum will be open exclusively for attendees prior to each event. Entry is included in the ticket price (usual entry price is £10).

A band with a very long history with Brain Damage, having travelled to the UK especially for our first International Fan Convention held at Wembley in 1993, the Australian Pink Floyd Show are old friends. The band's major 2011 European tour starts later this month, and thanks to the band and their management we have a very special opportunity for some lucky Brain Damage visitors and their guests.

We have five pairs of tickets to attend the Aussie Floyd's final pre-tour rehearsal on Monday, January 17th 2011, at a special venue in London. The evening will start at 6pm with a glass of champagne on arrival, some pre show food, the full show rehearsal (including the brand new 3D graphics) and then a chance to meet the band afterwards.

Following the rehearsal, the tour heads off to Poland for a string of dates there, before hitting the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Norway, before arriving in the UK for the dates listed below. Following the UK dates, the band move on to France, Switzerland (again!) and Italy. Full details of the dates and venues can be found at www.AussieFloyd.com.