Candlelight Is Going Contemporary With Tributes To Pop And Beyond

Candlelight's tribute performances are shining a classical light on our favourite pop stars thanks to string quartets and more.

Marco Ruiz - Staff Writer • March 10, 2022

musicians surrounded by candles in what looks like a cathedral

From all-time classical greats like Beethoven and Vivaldi through to jazz legends such as Miles Davis and Nina Simone, Candlelight has lit up unique music venues around Brisbane, Australia and the world with intimate and dreamy concerts. They’ve left their mark on cities and wowed audiences with piano solos, string quartets and orchestra musicians. However, the series isn’t stopping there and this year is lining up tribute concerts to some of our favourite pop artists.

See all Candlelight concerts in Brisbane here.

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Upcoming Candlelight Pop Tributes

interior of st johns cathedral in brisbane

At Candlelight’s pop tribute concerts, you’ll get to hear incredible performances of your favourite songs while candles glow, flicker and shine bright. But, it won’t be like the originals, the ones you heard on the radio, on TV or have been streaming constantly since their first play.

From Adele to Elton John, ABBA to Ed Sheeran, Michael Jackson to Dua Lipa, their greatest hits will have been reimagined by string quartets, piano duos, musical trios and the like for renditions that will leave you speechless. Or, singing along to every note and word.

These artists we all know have been chart-toppers (some across decades), gone platinum multiple times over, sold-out stadium tours and been major cultural figures that have influenced not just musical tastes, but also fashion and dance as well. They’re part of music history and they’re getting the Candlelight treatment.

Some, though, are artists that never started out as pop singers, pop groups or pop bands. Nonetheless, they’ve found popularity and found themselves at the top of the charts with songs that transcend genres and blend together styles. No matter what you describe them as, we just can’t get them out of our head.

Pop or popular, Candlelight is shining bright with plenty of concerts in Brisbane. quartet performing on stage with candles

Upcoming Candlelight Pop Tributes

Start breaking “Bad Habits” to be “Perfect” with Ed Sheeran on May 19 and June 17
From “Brandenburg” to “Blackbird” with Bach to The Beatles on May 13
“Right As Rain” with Adele on May 20 and July 22
“We Will Rock You” thanks to this tribute to Queen on May 26 and July 9
It’s your “Wildest Dream” with “the 1”, the only Taylor Swift on June 3 and June 30
“Dreams” are better with Fleetwood Mac on June 17
“See how they shine for you” with Coldplay on July 14
“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” more ABBA on July 30

Although we won’t get to listen to these three phenomenal artists live, we will get to experience the soaring melodies and catchy pop numbers they write thanks to Ensemble Cherubim, a string quartet based here in Brisbane, as well as members of the Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra and pianist Van-Anh Nguyen among other talented musicians.

Candlelight tribute concerts take place at the gorgeous St John’s Cathedral as well as at The Lussh. Sit back, relax and take in the magical sounds of these respected and inspiring international artists.

Go pop with Candlelight in Brisbane.