Candlelight Concerts Brisbane: What to Expect

Have you heard about the Candlelight Concerts in Brisbane, and around the world, but aren’t quite sure what to expect?

I had been curious about the Candlelight Concerts that seem to be popping up in Brisbane where popular music is played by an orchestra.

After being gifted tickets to any Candlelight Concert, I narrowed it down to Taylor Swift and The Beatles. We were out of town during the current Taylor Swift option and my 9-year-old was thrilled to attend The Beatles on Strings Candlelight Concert.

As Candlelight Concerts generally have multiple shows in a day, it is a great date night, and night out with friends, and can even be a fun early show to take the kids to.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about a Candlelight Concert.

Purchasing Tickets for a Candlelight Concert

Tickets to Candlelight Concerts must be purchased in advance. They do sell out, especially for the earlier time.

Each Candlelight Concert has seating options of Block A, B, C, and D, which come with varying price points, with A being the most expensive and D being the cheapest option.

The venues for each event are different, as are the prices for each section.

Check out which Candlelight Concerts are coming to Brisbane and purchase your tickets!

Zone A is at the front of the venue, with zones B, C, and D behind it. While zones A and B always offer an unobstructed view, sometimes zones C and D have obstructions.

You must be at least 8 years old to attend a Candlelight concert. I brought my 9-year-old, who enjoyed it. I thought about bringing her 8-year-old brother but as all kids are different, I wasn’t sure if he would be able to sit quietly.

Arriving at a Candlelight Concert

Seating in each zone is first-come, first-served, so there tends to be a crowd when the doors open 30 minutes before the performance.

As it was a rainy evening in Brisbane, the crowd for Beatles on Strings was underneath the awning at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral in Brisbane City.

A few candles were lit leading up the stairs. It was easy to tell that they were fake as they were still lit in the rain.

A sign with a QR code is at the front of the venue. You can scan it to find out the program for the evening. You can also find the program online before booking your tickets by clicking on the show you are interested in seeing.

Tickets were scanned, and then each group waited for someone to walk them to their seats. We were in zone B, as was the group behind us, so we all walked together.

The usher chooses your seats based on your arrival. We were told which row to enter, and as there were already people sitting in the aisle seats, we walked down to the end of the row.

Candlelight Concerts

On each side of the church were lots of candles. Candles are also on the stage. The venue is dim the entire time you are there, though there are a few lights around the church, so it is not dark.

If you arrive early, there is time to take pictures of the candles after finding your seats.

Our show, The Beatles on Strings, started about 10 minutes late, but that could have been due to the rain.

Four musicians, a String Quartet called Paradiso Strings, performed. Paradiso is made up of a violinist, a violist, a violinist/violist, and a cellist.

Though Candlelight Concerts take place around the world, they tend to use local artists. In this case, Paradiso Strings is a Brisbane-based group.

Before the show started, a man got up and made a few announcements, but I found it hard to hear. I did hear him say that taking pictures and videos during the performance is okay (though I later realized it was only okay during the last set).

After performing the first few songs, a combination of Love Me Do and I Want to Hold Your Hand, I Feel Fine, and a combination of Yesterday and In My Life, the woman playing the cello spoke.

She introduced the next group of songs and told the audience a little bit of Beatles history, including that the band was only ever together for 7 years.

Other songs played during our Candlelight Concert of The Beatles on Strings included:

• Eleanor Rigby
• Got to Get You into My Life
• Here, There and Everywhere
• Daytripper
• I Am the Walrus
• Strawberry Fields
• She’s Leaving Home
• A Day in The Life
• Back in the USSR / Dear Prudence
• Revolution
• Blackbird
• Lady Madonna
• Come Together
• Here Comes The Sun
• Something
• Get Back

The musicians played 4 songs in a row before taking a break to talk to the audience.

At the end of the show, the audience is told that they can walk around and take pictures. There is also a small table in the back with Candlelight Concert merchandise for sale.

Candlelight Concerts Wrap-Up

Candlelight Concerts offer a unique way to listen to music.

In our case, the location added to the ambiance. The church where our Candlelight Concert was held is gorgeous on its own, and the candles just added to the beauty.

If you are looking for a date night, a fun night out with friends, or even a family-friendly activity, check out Candlelight Concerts.

Purchase your ticket to a Candlelight Concert.

Candlelight Concerts FAQ

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