Spinal Tap, the loudest band in England, is reuniting for a 35th anniversary screening of their film “This Is Spinal Tap” at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival and will also perform following the screening.
Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer will turn it up to 11 again in a one-night-only concert in which they’ll perform as themselves in tribute to the fictional band Spinal Tap. So they won’t specifically be in character as Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls. But they’ll further be joined by “This is Spinal Tap” director Rob Reiner for a conversation to follow.
“Spinal Tap proves there is definitely a fine line between stupid and clever,” director, co-writer and star Reiner said in a statement.
Tribeca is also hosting a special 25th anniversary for Ben Stiller’s Generation X classic “Reality Bites.” Stiller will be in attendance along with the cast that included Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn and Stiller.
They’ll follow their screening with a conversation to take a look back at the making of the film and the characters who have come to embody the spirit of Generation X.
“From the heavy metal bands of the ’80s to Generation X in the early ’90s, ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ and ‘Reality Bites’ didn’t just capture the spirit of their respective times – they helped define them,” said Paula Weinstein, EVP of Tribeca Enterprises. “We’re excited to bring these two films back to the big screen for existing fans and also to introduce them to new audiences.”
Released in 1984, the influential mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap” follows the band on a tour of America as they find themselves on the waning end of their career. Guest, McKean and Shearer last reunited for a tour as Spinal Tap in 2009. TheWrap was also lucky enough to speak with bassist Derek Smalls (Shearer, in character) back in April.
The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival is in its 18th year and runs April 24 to May 5. Announcements of more screenings and special presentations will follow.