Brighton Review
I made my way to Brighton and got there by 2pm, whereupon I made my way down to the pier and walked to the end where I had a pint in the pub there and then made my way back into town wandering around until I discovered a German Bier Haus, where mid-weissbier I spotted the amazing parkour group "Storror" over the road from me, obviously scoping out new locations for parkour! I follow them on YT and they are amazing and have 7.5 million followers. I had watched one of their videos the night before so to randomly see them over the road from me... was epic. The random coincidence absolutely made my day and put me in a fantastic mood even before I got to the concert venue, which I did via a panini'n'pint at a 'spoons.
As I was walking up to the church I wondered if I was on the right road and then saw it looming above the skyline at the end of the street! Chatted to some fellow fans before the show, outside and inside the venue.
The concert opened with Verspera with Luca on the solo and high notes by Nathan. A lovely opener, and because of the crowd-funder I had resolved to pay more attention to Luca's solos. This then lead into Sanctus again with Luca's voice highly prevalent. There was a comforting familiarity to both songs and they were performed excellently.
The first speech followed with Koji, who's voice sounds so deep now (relatively!), and Daniel W. Daniel paid tribute to Robert again, and then both introduced the next songs, including the new one, Lighthouse, referring to the fact it was written by Josh "over there on the piano".
Let me Make Songs is a nice choir song, no solos, and a stirring and soaring climax. This was then very much contrasted by Lighthouse, which is a much slower more reflective piece with some solo work again by Luca. I don't want to get into a discussion here about it, but Luca's voice has never been one that has really stirred anything in me. But the piece and singing overall was nice enough.
This was then followed by If, sung of course by Daniel W., who continues to be able to put across the emotion of the song fantastically. This was probably the first point in the concert where I just relaxed into it and just lost myself in the music.
The end of this mini section was Salva me, with its insistent drum beat waking you from your reflective musings (or Seagull induced sleep...) Joseph delivered on the high notes and he is certainly one that could provide some excellent solo work in the future. He is my one to watch following the (probable) sad departure of Daniel C.
Speech two was delivered by Lewis Q and Freddie M. two singers I know quite well. They did the "mini-boys" and "bigs" speech and "IF" album joke.
Sing For Ever was excellent and absolutely reinforced my opinion that Joseph H. is one to keep a watch for with Nathan also providing some nice vocals and Luca using his skill to provide the background vocals.
Always With You was with Morgan on the solo. Morgan does have a good voice. Neither he nor his voice are particularly dynamic, but there is a softness and sweetness to his voice that still makes it compelling. Thomas M. and Joseph H. shared the high notes and both did a great job.
Stay With Me followed, and it is a song I really like, again with this insistent percussion in the background and a nice mix of solos and choir parts. Laurence D did high notes, and it was great to hear him in that.
Voca Me was the second to last song of the half with Luca providing exceptional high notes of outstanding clarity that really impressed me.
It was then on to another speech with requisite "spill drinks on robes" joke, and then Daniel W. conducting again!! If Steven G. is ever sick, we know who can step in! Laurence D. was alongside him but Daniel with his speech delivery is unmatched. His confident delivery really does let you just relax into the speech and enjoy it. (Rather than when you have hesitant ones or ones forgetting their lines, where you are willing them to get through it and trying your best to look away and keep your expression neutral as they stumble - or am I the only one that finds those moments difficult?) There is none of that anxiety with Dan, you just get a feeling that rain or shine, he will get through it.
So then it was "Libera" to take us into the interval and the end to a great first half.
In the interval I was astounded to discover there was only one toilet in the whole church! Am I wrong in remembering they opened up a local building for that in the 2018 concert?
Excess beer vacated, it was time for the second half. I should probably mention at this point that after all my whinging I had actually got a front row seat, and with the stage spread out and the musicians either side of me I had absolutely perfect sound quality.
The half opened with Lux Aeterna and for this one Morgan's vocals worked perfectly, giving his solos and the piece an innocent quality. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This was followed immediately by the upbeat and lively Orinoco flow and there we were, very much into the second half!
Hal and Laurence D did the speech talking about their summer holidays and weeks away.
Ave Maria (Prizeman) was delivered by Lewis, Daniel and Luca with lovely vocals from all three.
Far Away followed with Luca again on solo and I really enjoyed his delivery, he was in the next track again providing high notes, with Freddie M. on the main solo. Freddie is in the same year as Daniel W. so it will be interesting to see how their respective voices develop over the next months. Anyway, Sacris Solemnis was great as usual, can't beat a bit of Beethoven!! (listening to Beethoven - Symphony No.7 - Allegretto right now while I tidy this post up
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Then we were in to the second new song of the evening, Beati. I quite liked it, certainly more than Lighthouse. I found it uplifting, more interesting musically than Lighthouse and with a nice mix of solos, orchestra, percussion and choral parts. It's too early for me to make a judgement in relation to other tracks in the Libera catalogue, but I liked it. Apparently it's pronounced Bay-ah-ti at least according to Koji who was alongside Daniel, who introduced Moose to the audience as executive producer, and apparently also working on their new record. Good to know the new album is in safe... uhm... hooves?
Next was Come My Way sung by Daniel, and is absolutely a song that suits his voice. I also wonder who they have to replace him when his voice goes as it is a song, like "If", that needs a voice with character to deliver it effectively.
Second to last of the songs in the programme was Grateful Heart, and here Luca really impressed me with his delivery, with a soulful performance from him and with Daniel providing some background vocals. Really enjoyable.
Thomas did the final short speech and then it was in to I Am The Day with Morgan with his delicate and innocent vocals a great way to "end" the concert with Daniel providing the few high notes.
Standing ovation, and then of course an encore, with the joyous and stirring Sing For Our World, leading to the perfect climax and another standing ovation.
Only (as you already know) it wasn't the end, we had one more encore, Smile.
And oh, I did.
I smiled because I had heard a wonderful choir again.
I smiled because I had heard soloists I love.
I smiled because I had chatted to old friends.
I smiled because I had chatted to new acquaintances.
I smiled because I had an amazing day.
I smiled because I wouldn't have had, if I didn't follow Libera.
And finally, I smiled because I knew I could do it all again the next day.
I'm always like "yeah I like it though...".
I have been pressured to write a review 
The encore part may very well be unprecedented.
