REVIEW: Brighton & Hove's World AIDS Day concert

Six local choirs at the top of their form - what more could you ask for at Brighton’s World AIDS Day concert raising funds for Lunch Positive, such a life-changing charity.

Relatively new kids on the block Brighton Rox and City of Stars gave the established choirs a run for their money and both groups are ones to follow for the future.

Compèred by comedian Hannah Brackenbury, who also gave us two naughty Victoria Wood songs, Rainbow Chorus opened the show with a version of the folk song Shenandoah, followed by Riu Riu Chiu with its stirring message of remembrance and resilience against isolation. The tonality of this choir is always a joy to listen to.

Next up was Resound Voices, who may have the looks of a small chamber group, but the creativity that comes with maturity. They always challenge and surprise and no change here with a haunting version of Ireland’s Sea Fever, followed by the amazing Jesus At The Gay Bar - based on a cult queer poem that I need to hear again. Its mix of styles was a wonder. They ended with a Canadian song - Turlutte Acadienne Montrealaise - where musical instruments in this reel dance are replaced with percussive voices - it was absolutely delightful.

Brighton Rox spiced up the evening with Wanna Be and showed how a small ensemble can bring irony and humour to pop music.

Act Two brought Actually Gay Men’s Chorus to the dimly lit stage and their Panis Angelicus was both haunting and melodically perfect. And The Light We See and A Thousand Years brought us haunting melodies and soaring harmonies.

City of Stars had the audience in the palm of their hands as they gave us an array of show tunes. Their energy and power were only matched by their broad grins - they were enjoying it as mush as we were.

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus gave us a blockbuster closing set. They currently have 150 members, and though they weren’t all present, the sheer power and glory of their deep tones and contrasting volume was just a perfect ending.

The World AIDS Day concert was at St Mary’s Kemptown, raising funds for Lunch Positive.

Footnote: So it’s goodbye from me to the marvellous choirs of Brighton. I worked out that in the last seven years, the main four queer chorus groups have sung over 1,200 songs to me. You can catch them later this month in their individual Christmas concerts.

Long may they provide a joyful sound to Brighton’s LGBTQ+ audiences and their allies.