With its sea of candles, exceptionally-talented musicians and wide-ranging selection of concerts, Candlelight enchants and enthralls audiences all year round. However, to welcome the breath of fresh air that is autumn, there are a few special edition concerts on the cards as well as the return of (more than) a few favourites.
Whether on your own, with a mate, a group of friends, or a special someone, there’s a Candlelight concert to entertain everybody. Take a look below to see what’s coming up and which Candlelight concert will move you this upcoming season.
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Featured Candlelight concerts in Sydney
Candlelight Jazz at The Hayden Orpheum
This March, the Hayden Orpheum is hosting not just one, but two Candlelight Jazz tributes featuring jazz bands. The first is to honour the High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone, while the second pays homage to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.
Throughout their phenomenal careers and posthumously as well, both women have made their mark in history’s music books. From winning countless awards, racking up hit singles across decades and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, their music has touched the lives of millions and generations. At their jazz tribute concerts, audiences will get to relive their songs thanks to Cintet—a five-piece jazz band.
From “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” to “I Loves You Porgy” and then “Dr. Feelgood” to “Son of a Preacher Man”, soul will be shining as bright as the hundreds of candles at The Hayden Orpheum.
Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
The genius behind the musical sound of Studio Ghibli is none other than Joe Hisaishi. The Japanese maestro was so respected by Hayao Miyazaki and the storytelling team that they would often seek out his compositions to help create and shape the enchanting on-screen worlds. The eight-time winner of the award for best music in Japan, Hisaishi’s musical vision is up there with the greatest to have ever done it and at the Sydney Masonic Centre you can escape to the magical worlds of Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo and Spirited Away thanks to Phoenix Collective String Quartet.
Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros.
The music from some of the world’s most famous stories is being celebrated thanks to Candlelight and Warner Bros. To celebrate their 100th anniversary, 100 cities around the world will play host to special editions and Sydney is going to be one of the first. From complex romances in Casablanca to epic battles in search of justice as seen on Wonder Woman, as well as classics like The Wizard of Oz or Singin’ in the Rain plus much newer favourites, soon it will be time to relive these stories through song.
All upcoming Candlelight concerts in Sydney
Candlelight Information
The atmosphere of hundreds of candles is a wondrous spectacle that amplifies the live-music experience. And, for the length of the 60-65 minute performance, the candle-music combo creates a parallel realm where audiences are carried away by each and every note played.
So far, thousands of candles have lent their gentle glow to Sydney’s sensational Candlelight concerts and the greatest works of classical music as well as legendary jazz, rock, pop and film classics have been performed in the flickering light.
Intimate and extraordinary atmospheres will continue to be created at some of the city’s most beautiful and unique venues, including The Concourse, the heritage-listed venue at the Grounds of Alexandria, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, the nave of St Stephen’s Uniting Church and the architecturally significant Sydney Masonic Centre, among others. There are more to come so watch this space.
A recurring question regarding Candlelight is, What do you wear to Candlelight? The simple answer is that Candlelight has no dress code and there is no obligation to dress up in your finest attire—it’s not the opera. However, to save you from any drama, then think smart-casual with an emphasis on being comfortable, clean and relaxed.
Candlelight Reviews
Candlelight has been met with countless 5-star reviews since arriving in Sydney. Guests have said that the evenings are “a creative, enchanting, and new concert experience” and that “the performers were fantastic!”
“Performance was done amazingly!” – Candlelight Orchestra: Best of Joe Hisaishi
“The String quartet was fabulous. The lead violinist had brilliant stage presence! He involved the audience with gusto. Love the Chatswood venue!” – A Tribute to Queen at The Concourse
“Atmosphere from the Quartet was amazing.” – A Tribute to Queen at The Concourse
“Brilliant and inspiring performance, and loved the more impromptu sections.” – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at The Grand Lodge, SMC
“A beautiful location and beautiful setting. The musicians were marvelous and lovely. Vivaldi’s music and the night was enchanting.” – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at The Grand Lodge, SMC
Give the gift of Candlelight
The Candlelight gift card is the gift of a candlelit, live-music experience. They’re immensely popular and are capable of captivating all thanks to the broad range of genres that Candlelight celebrates. Whether the gift card is for a mate, a date, or for the family, they’ll be sure to find a concert that shines bright and catches their eye now or in the near future.
Typically, there are two Candlelight concerts every evening, an early and a later session, which gives audiences ample choice and opportunity to experience music by Candlelight the way they would like to. It also gives audiences plenty of time to go out for dinner before or after and make the night more of a memorable experience.
With tickets for as little as $30 depending on the concert, Candlelight is a night out that almost everybody will enjoy. Those that don’t, aren’t big fans of music or candles.