As you may have seen I recently went out with my friend Helen to a gig in Leicester.

It was billed as ‘The Festival of the Dead – Rock by Candlelight’ and the basic gist was a symphonic orchestra playing classic Rock songs from some of the most famous bands.

Going Out, Out

Now whilst I was really looking forward to it, I have been having a really bad hair time of things due to the sponsored swim. My hair is so soft, baby fine and frizzy that I simply cannot do a single thing with it. There was no point putting rollers in my hair as I didn’t think it would make much of a difference.

So, pre-empting it, I decided to wear a wig instead which would solve all my issues. Adding a dark smoky eye, false lashes and some stunning false nails designed by the wonderful @janey_67. I wore a long black maxi dress with ruffled sleeves in a dotty mesh.

Fancy!

I thought it was quite apt for the evening out and just added some simple earrings as my jewellery.

We headed to Leicester early and had the most fabulous Indian meal at a brilliant restaurant called Chutney Ivy. If you want to know more, then you can read all about it here.

Getting Ready

Anyway moving on, we headed to the Athena Theatre for the opening time of 6pm which seemed quite early. We had to join quite a large queue and when we eventually were admitted, the auditorium was already 3/4 full.

On My Way

We managed to find 2 seats half way down towards the front and on each seat was a card advertising the program for the evening.

Managing to get a bit more comfortable given that the seats were literally elbow to elbow, I had a look to see what the agenda looked like.

It mentioned that there was an opening act before the Orchestra. As I had no idea of who/what this act would be, I was eager for it to get started.

Classic Tracks

Harrisen Larner-Main came onto the stage with a Cellist, Santiago Luna. Both were wearing Day of the Dead type masks and the crowd went silent as Harrisen put his fingers onto the keys an electric piano.

You could have heard a pin drop as the first chords rang out. Harrisen had a haunting voice; smooth and clear before rising to a growl. He had a real bite to his vocal. It was mesmerising.

Harrisen and Santiago

Helen and I looked at each other and said ‘Wow’.

Santiago Luna was a brilliant Cellist too. His fingers deftly sliding up and down the strings as he used both his bow and also his fingers to pluck at the strings in some of the songs.

The whole performance was out of this World. The only downside was that the performance only lasted for 35 minutes, but it was long enough for me to become totally obsessed with Harrisen and Santiago’s playing. It really was outstanding and so very emotive

Haunting Vocals

Obviously, if the opening act was that good, the main act must be phenomenal, right?

Well, I wasn’t wrong.

Ready For The Main Event

As the strident notes of ‘Sweet Child O’Mine’ rang out from the lead violinist, you could already tell it was going to be mind-blowing.

The Orchestra were all decked out in skeletal masks and clothing. Floral crowns and gothic dresses were worn by the ladies, and the men were in top hats, and Victorian style suits. They looked fabulous!

Song after classic song was given the classical treatment including ‘Seven Nation Army’ ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and even ‘Tainted Love’

Let’s Go!

All of them were recognisable yet so different. By that I don’t mean they sounded different, they just felt fresh and new by having the orchestral treatment.

What was even better was having Harrisen Larner-Main come out and sing a couple of tracks with the Orchestra. His version of ‘Killing in the Name of’ was fantastic and got the crowd up on their feet.

Enough Candles?

Sadly that was the last song of the night. Or was it?

Well, the crowd wouldn’t let the Orchestra go and a brilliant version of ‘Sweet Dreams’ by the Eurythmics ensued. Again the vocal by Harrisen was exceptional and everyone was dancing and singing along.

It was the perfect end to a wonderful night out!

A Brilliant Night!

Hopefully it is the first of many more events as it was good for the body AND soul.

Till next time,

SPSG xxx