UK Cathedral Concerts in 2024

[Surpinto]

If that's his car then maybe I'll skip the beers with fans and ride around with LordG!

To keep this thread on topic, fans should be aware that there is (according to the cathedral schedule) choral evensong at 4:15 on Saturday. It'll likely last an hour at least.

[Choirfan]

I do recall the Chester concert of 2010 was rather poorly attended. Despite that, it was an amazing concert with great sound and atmosphere. Will we ever forget the performance of Mysterium that night?

I recall in 2010 Steven Phillip (RIP) asking some of the fans who had arrived early (this was back in the bad (good?) old days of queuing to get the best seats) to distribute flyers for the show to passers-by.

Oh well it was their loss. This Chester concert has a lot to live up to. Can't wait!

[Cat-a-tonic]

Just got back from my first ever Libera concert. Will try to post a review or some more detailed thoughts soon but for now all I can say is Wow!!!! And that I'm so happy I finally got to see them live.

[Surpinto]

This is going to be a short review it for no other reason than the program is an exact replica of the Ely concert – as we had predicted and as would make the most logical sense for them. The setlist was the same and the soloists were the same from what I can see from those who attended in Ely (which I did not). So if there were any changes from one concert to the other I invite those who know to please correct me on any points.

With that disclaimer being put forward, I will comment specifically about what I noticed and my own highlights. Firstly, I would be remiss if I were not to mention Joseph and his increasingly confident role as a soloist and as a high noter. He's really taken on a leading role on many songs and high notes. In my conversations with other fans he did even better in this concert than in Ely. While I can't speak to that myself, I can confidently say that where I noticed him the most in an unexpected way was on "Sacris Solemnis": there he, Ben his brother, and Oskar H did the higher parts. I remember hearing the song in concert before but I don't recall those higher notes being as prominent. A very nice job! It wasn't that the song changed in any significant way but the emphasis with the higher notes was noticeable and was noticed by other fans as well. I liked it!

Also, and as can be seen from the Ely reviews, he had multiple major solos; but where he really stood out to me personally was "Sea Bird" and "The Lark's Last Song" in no small part because these were new songs to me as they have only debuted in Ely up until now and have not been on a recording.

"Sea Bird" had the most interesting stage movements for me in that as the song proceeded the boys formed sort of wings that spread out until the end of the song in which they were a perfectly spread out in line as if they were a bird taking flight. Since I had been either remiss or forgetful about the stage movement from previous reviews, I found it quite striking and very appropriate to the piece. Finally, and although I liked "Sea Bird" perfectly fine, I really preferred Joseph's solo on "Lark's Last Song" not for any specific reason but simply because it's somehow stuck in my head now

Turning to another soloist, Morgan sang incredibly well and had a lot of solos also. I found him absolutely a perfect choice for all the songs he was soloing on, but in particular "Angele Dei" which is a song I really enjoy and that he was able to do such a phenomenal job on it with amazing confidence and with a very precise and bell-like tonality; speaking volumes of his abilities. His tone differs quite markedly from the version on the "Hope" album by Alex Montoro, Morgan's tone being a bit sweeter and a bit more pure in a sense. I like Morgan's version better actually. "I am the Day" is also to be noted and commended as he does the whispers and the solo parts on that too.

Funny enough, and speaking of Alex, I saw his brother (Matthias) before the concert began while on a guided tour inside the cathedral. He was helping with the tech crew....so I was really surprised when I saw him singing on stage. I'm not sure if they're currently short of lower voices or what the story is with that but both he and Koji were on stage singing – though I believe only Matthias was on crew.

Turning back to the music, "O Beata" is a song I love and it was sung beautifully by Cameron and Mitchel, with Mitchell now in support with his lower voice. As this is Cameron's first solo I found his voice to be very pleasant and I hope to hear more from him before he has his own voice change.

Another highlight for me was another new song "One Small Voice" sung by Julian. He sang it well and with confidence! But the song itself is also very sweet.

Finally, I must mention a song that I personally don't really like! I have never particularly cared for RP's "Ave Maria". It just simply doesn't appeal to me and sometimes if it comes up in a playlist on my phone I'll skip past it. I won't go so far as to say that my mind has been changed about a song I've known for a really long time (because it hasn't ) but I was greatly impressed by its performance. Lewis stepped up to the plate on this one and delivered a really good and confident rendition. You can tell that his voice is beginning to break but this actually added to the performance of the song because there were some lower range elements in his performance that I found enhanced the song in a surprising way. It's difficult for me to describe but I just think that he nailed the piece because his still treble voice was somehow more rounded out because of the lower element I'm describing.

With all of that said, the choir sounded really good and other than a few microphone feedback issues during one particular song the audio was quite good as well.

Libera, this is why your concerts are the best. Just when I think the concert had only just begun it's already over and time goes by in the blink of an eye as the audience is pulled in for amazing music. I can't say that I have this experience often at other concerts.

Looking forward to Lincoln!

[Surpinto]

Just got back from my first ever Libera concert. Will try to post a review or some more detailed thoughts soon but for now all I can say is Wow!!!! And that I'm so happy I finally got to see them live.

Oh wow! Are you coming to Lincoln? If you are please do make yourself known somehow. Would love to say hello!

[Padmachou]

Thank you for you reviews ! Last month's concert was already great so it must have been extraordinary if they were even better

Were the miniboys on stage ? Some of them maybe ? I read somewhere that Archie was identified, since he made a speech ?

[Luckdragon]

Thanks for the prompt reviews. One nice thing about multiple iterations of the same concert by boys that age is they inevitably get better each time. Hopefully, Lincoln will be the best yet!

[Surpinto]

Thank you for you reviews ! Last month's concert was already great so it must have been extraordinary if they were even better

Were the miniboys on stage ? Some of them maybe ? I read somewhere that Archie was identified, since he made a speech ?

You're welcome!

Yes, the mini's were on stage. Archie is front row, second from left in this photo. He was confident in his speech for one so new:

[Surpinto]

Thank you for you reviews ! Last month's concert was already great so it must have been extraordinary if they were even better

Were the miniboys on stage ? Some of them maybe ? I read somewhere that Archie was identified, since he made a speech ?

You're welcome!

Yes, the mini's were on stage. Archie is front row, second from left in this photo. He was confident in his speech for one so new:

Thanks for the prompt reviews. One nice thing about multiple iterations of the same concert by boys that age is they inevitably get better each time. Hopefully, Lincoln will be the best yet!

That does seem to be the case! No pressure on them of course.

[Citlec]

Well, I made it. I even made it home alive after my overnight coach, which was exactly as horrific as I expected. Birmingham is NOT improved by having to wander around its bus depot at 3am in the morning for the driver change. (In fact, on last night's evidence, they should not only scrap HS2, but fill in the West Coast Main Line and dig up the M40 while they're at it... )

I actually caught the tail-end of the rehearsal which is the first time since Romsey 2016 that I've managed to make it to that. As for the concert, it was fantastic. I'm not going to do another review as I think my lengthy Ely one covered it. But the Hill brothers just get better and better, Morgan and Pietro sing so well together and Morgan's solos are still a delight, I loved Thomas M's solo, Lewis' Ave Maria continues to impress. Cameron and Mitchel's O beata was fantastic. Julian was great in One Small Voice. Shoutout to Tadhgeroo Delivery for a ninja-like just-in-time placement of a moose. The speeches were fantastic with Archie doing a great job in the absence of Oscar J. I'm probably forgetting someone amazing. I think the takeaway should be that I enjoyed it from start to finish. The stage positioning was perfect, with the musicians at the side in the alcoves I had perfect sound. Chester Cathedral didn't disappoint and I again found myself looking up and enjoying the views of both the natural lighting as the sun set and then the fabulous concert lighting. The details of the dark shadow of the choir screen late in the concert, in particular, drew my eye.

Photo taken during the final bow applause only:

► Show Spoiler

P1780598.JPG (575.42 KiB) Viewed 121153 times

P1780598.JPG (575.42 KiB) Viewed 121153 times

Edit: I did forget someone amazing! I met the infamous (notorious?) Surpinto finally. I wasn't disappointed.

[Surpinto]

Thanks for reminding me about the natural light! Yeah, because of the higher latitude the sun stays up far later in the UK than my part of the US in summer (for reference New York has approximately the same latitude as somewhere like under halfway down the boot in Italy). So I was not expecting a burst of sunshine to come through the cathedral windows at something like 8:30 PM. It mixed well with Libera's own artificial lighting - though there was nothing artificial about the beauty of their music combined with the illumination.

Edit: I did forget someone amazing! I finally met the infamous (notorious?) Suprinto finally. I wasn't disappointed.

Your trip back home sounds a bit harrowing and I'm glad you made it back safe and sound. It was great to say hello and have a drink with you and a few other fans after the show. It's always great to meet nice people from this forum that you feel as though you've gotten to know, albeit virtually.

Unfortunately, I got hit with a strange bout of insomnia and have been unable to sleep at all . I've never experienced anything like it in my entire life as I don't have insomnia whatsoever, so the only reason I can think of is some kind of 2nd round of jet lag as I slept perfectly fine the night before the show and seemed to have acclimated enough to UK time. I was even rather tired last night but my body just wouldn't fall asleep, and I wish I could say it was the excitement of the concert but that wasn't it. Needless to say I was in no condition to join the scenic bus tour through Wales that I had planned.

[Citlec]

Unfortunately, I got hit with a strange bout of insomnia and have been unable to sleep at all . I've never experienced anything like it in my entire life as I don't have insomnia whatsoever, so the only reason I can think of is some kind of 2nd round of jet lag as I slept perfectly fine the night before the show and seemed to have acclimated enough to UK time. I was even rather tired last night but my body just wouldn't fall asleep, and I wish I could say it was the excitement of the concert but that wasn't it. Needless to say I was in no condition to join the scenic bus tour through Wales that I had planned.

Oh no! Maybe a bout of sympathy insomnia, for my also sleepless night?

I collapsed into bed at 7am and managed a 4hour sleep then. But I would say I'm still feeling like death warmed-up, currently.

I'm sad for you that you missed the Wales Trip. North Wales has some fantastic scenery and some lovely things to see (and I swear I'm not just saying that because of my familial connection... )

Hope you get your sleep patterns back on track and enjoy the rest of your trip.

Despite the machinations of sundry people to persuade me, my attendance at Lincoln is currently unlikely. But, never say never! If I don't make it then I hope everyone has a fantastic time, I have no doubt it will be an amazing concert again.

[Surpinto]

Oh no! Maybe a bout of sympathy insomnia, for my also sleepless night?

I collapsed into bed at 7am and managed a 4hour sleep then. But I would say I'm still feeling like death warmed-up, currently.

I'm sad for you that you missed the Wales Trip. North Wales has some fantastic scenery and some lovely things to see (and I swear I'm not just saying that because of my familial connection... )

Hope you get your sleep patterns back on track and enjoy the rest of your trip.

Despite the machinations of sundry people to persuade me, my attendance at Lincoln is currently unlikely. But, never say never! If I don't make it then I hope everyone has a fantastic time, I have no doubt it will be an amazing concert again.

Hope to see you in Lincoln if you decide to go, but don't force yourself if it's too crazy. Ideally you would add on to whatever notes I happen to take about that show.

My first version of the review post had me referring to Matthias as Alex and to Koji as Taichi.... *face palm*....I need a good editor/redactor

[Citlec]

p.s. Surpinto, you should have gone to Wales anyway. Counting sheep might have helped with the insomnia.

[Mercurial909]

Big thanks and appreciation to those who have written reviews here.

So glad to see Oskar H back.

Does anyone have a programme that they’re willing to post here?

Were there any solo/duet parts from any of the Bigs/seniors, other than Daniel?

As per Luca’s recent YT videos it appears he is still more than capable of singing first or second treble (I know he’s 14 now) so I hoped he’d still get something to sing just like Mitchel does.