Is this a biased review of the London to Brighton concert that was brought to us on Friday evening by the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and the London Gay Men’s Chorus?
Yes. My husband sings in the Brighton choir, (He’s a devastatingly handsome Tenor 1), and the concert raised much-needed funds for Sleepsafe (A local charity I favour that serves the homeless in Brighton and Hove’s LGBT community) and the Rainbow Fund.
But then Friday’s concert had no need of any kind of positive bias, it was amazing. The energy level was high from the very start as BGMC sang Proud Mary and then became soulful, rich, and heart-rending with Who wants to live forever. They set the stage for the London-based boys with a rousing rendition of We built this city that had the audience cheering and whistling as the guest choir entered.
LGMC began with a rendition of One day like this that would have made Elbow proud. When they sang I sing the Body Electric I was in seventh heaven, and they closed the first half with a cheeky rendition of Diamonds are a girls best friend.
I’ve seen BGMC many times, and always enjoyed their concerts. This was the first time I’d heard LGCM sing and was wowed by their energy, and volume! Of course it’s a bigger group than BGMC but our lads responded in kind and in the second half raised their game a notch above their usual excellent to amazing.
LGMC opened the second act with Go West and a rich heartfelt Rise like a Phoenix. Then they explained that their next song was one that meant a lot to them as it was their showpiece at a concert the day of the Orlando Massacre. The song had been released and over 3,000 copies sold, raising money for the victims of the tragedy. Then they sang Bridge over troubled water, rich with an emotion that reached out to comfort and support. Beautiful. They finished off with Mr Blue Sky, leaving the stage to thunderous applause.
BGMC closed the evening with their set. I loved Anyone who had a heart, although Toxic went way over my head. I was in the minority though as the audience went absolutely wild! They closed with One moment in time, a few words of thanks and support, and then an encore where both choirs filled the stage to overflowing with It’s raining men.
Was there a little competition between the two choirs? If there was then it only helped the two groups feed off each other, bringing out the very best in their work. I’m only sorry that this was a one night only deal, because of all their concerts to date this is the one I would have liked to have gone back to the following night for a second helping.
London to Brighton with the Brighton and London Gay Men’s Choruses took place on Friday, August 5 at All Saints Church, The Drive, Hove.
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