Ben Newbury directs an out-of-this-world promo for Biffy Clyro, where frontman Simon Neil is an astronaut floating free in Earth's orbit - and not out of choice. 

Newbury's 'lost in space' premise is not unfamiliar, but it's highly appropriate for a track as heartfelt and contemplative as Biffy's Goodbye. And the success of the video also rests on the unexpected dramatic twist, where Earth explodes in a flash of red-hot flames. 

After glimpses of his past appearing in his helmet visor, the final moments are a compendium of glitchy memories that pull on the heartstrings. And we end on Neil's face in close-up, leaving his fate as a mystery. The result is a powerful visual, which makes the most of great VFX, creative cinematography and above all, an emotional core to anchor it all.   

Director Ben Newbury confirms that the concept of the video was influenced by Alfonso Cuarón's groundbreaking movie Gravity - a film that was ten years in the making due to the need to develop the technology to make it work. By contrast, the video for Goodbye happened very quickly.   

"We received the brief for Goodbye less than 48 hours before Biffy Clyro and their team were reading a treatment, thanks to the wonderful Andy Roberts and LasBandas. Then 7 days later we were at Twickenham Studios in their VP stage, with Unreal worlds built by the 'quite brilliant' company Quite Brilliant, lights and camera plotted and positioned by guru Thomas English, and an enormous motion control arm expertly captained by Rammi from G6, with Simon from the band in a full space suit attached to one end (with a huge grin on his face).

"That only happens when you are working with the most fantastic young production company in London. Ramy, Tony and Erin from Common People are truly exceptional. It is through their skills, their network and the culture they have curated that makes a project like this happen. This shoot simply shouldn’t have been possible, never mind successful. And, with that, a massive shout out to everyone involved for going above and beyond what is normally possible to help get this made.

"With questions ringing around the industry about what value music videos have in 2025, this was a clear reminder that, at the minute, their only lifeline as an art-form is bands and artists that are passionate about them being made, record labels and managers that can see their effectiveness as brand building tools and production companies and their teams who are willing to put their own time and money into projects they believe in. However illogical and unsustainable that is…

"Alfonso Cuarón had 10 years and $100 million to create Gravity. We had £20K and three weeks. Which leads to one question, what on earth did he do with the rest of the $100 million? :)"