ELEANOR DOUGLAS-MEYERS
We came for the violins. We stayed for the vibes.
Candlelight® concerts have officially arrived in Gqeberha-and their tribute to Queen set the bar sky-high.
Held at the historic Feather Market Centre on 19 July, the venue was transformed into a flickering wonderland of warm candlelight, soft shadows, and music that had the crowd clapping, humming, and at times, quietly belting out lyrics under their breath. Let’s just say: Freddie would’ve approved.
A Night for Superfans and First-Timers Alike
My husband is a massive Queen fan-he knows the lyrics, the trivia, the obscure B-sides. So when we saw that a string quartet was performing Queen’s greatest hits live, surrounded by candles, we had to be there. And honestly? It did not disappoint.
From the first familiar notes of Somebody to Love, the GQ String Quartet held the audience in the palm of their (extremely talented) hands. By the time Don’t Stop Me Now rolled in, the vibe had shifted from reverent to electric. Think: the elegance of a classical concert… with people subtly foot-tapping to Another One Bites the Dust.
What Makes Candlelight So Different?
Candlelight, brought to South Africa by global entertainment brand Fever, reimagines live music for modern audiences-pairing iconic songs with immersive ambience. Picture hundreds of LED candles scattered throughout one of the Bay’s most beautiful heritage venues. It’s romantic, it’s cinematic, and it’s a total glow-up for the live music scene here.
The setup was simple: a central stage, an adoring audience, and no distractions. No phones waving in the air, no shouting-just pure sound, pure presence.
From “Under Pressure” to Bohemian Rhapsody
Setlist Highlights:
- Under Pressure (the emotional build-up was unforgettable)
- We Will Rock You (yes, there was foot-stomping)
- Love of My Life (cue goosebumps and a few discreet tears)
- Bohemian Rhapsody—because, of course.
Each song was reimagined for string instruments and was somehow both gentle and grand. It’s Queen like you’ve never heard them before, but also exactly how you remember them.
Coming Up Next:
Candlelight is lighting up Gqeberha with a full season of concerts at Feather Market Centre:
- Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
- 16 August at 20:30
- Candlelight: Tribute to Queen
- Durban: 26 July at 18:00
- Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
- 16 August at 18:00 (Gqeberha & Durban)
Each concert runs 60 minutes, with doors opening an hour before. Note: no latecomers allowed.
Tickets and more info: candlelightexperience.com
See more: @candlelight.concerts
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