Graceland Reimagined: 40-Year Anniversary by the LAGC
Artist information
Hot off the back of multiple sell-outs across the UK including concert hall such as Barbican Centre (1.943 capacity), The Beacon Bristil (1.800 seats), Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (1.700 seats) the London African Gospel Choir will present their critically acclaimed reimagining of Paul Simon's iconic Graceland to mark the album's 40th year.
Performed with passion, soul and electrifying rhythm, this concert harnesses soaring voices, vibrant harmonies and an irresistible celebration of African musical heritage.
In a night of joyful spirit and cultural fusion, the Choir breathes new life into classics like ‘You Can Call Me Al’ and ‘Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes’.
What makes them different is that musicians come from different countries in the African Diaspora. There are musicians from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Kenya, Zaire, Ivory Coast, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Uganda and the Congo...,all come from different churches as well. The common denominator is their faith, although everybody is welcome.
What also sets them apart is their repertoire - a dazzling reflection of the choir's diverse membership, and that includes secular songs with a positive message. It's the meaning of the words that counts, and Paul Simon's Graceland - acclaimed as "one of the most iconic records in rock and roll history" on its release in 1986 - is a perfect fit with its uplifting lyrics and South African rhythms and melodies.
The choir first performed at church events and small venues in London, little imagining that they would one day perform at the Queen's Jubilee celebrations and a G4 Summit, or serenade millions of viewers with Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life on UK breakfast television.
In 2016, the London African Gospel Choir was commissioned by Camden's Jazz Café to perform Graceland in its entirety in the wake of the album’s 30th anniversary. Tickets sold out within hours and so five more nights were added, and they all sold out as well, confirming the enduring appeal of Paul Simon's masterpiece.
Those shows also confirmed the growing excitement generated by the Choir's string of notable stage and television appearances - some of them shared with stars like Emile Sande, Mumford & Sons, Tom Jones and the Soweto Gospel Choir, with whom they made a triumphant appearance at London's 02 Arena, singing in front of 17,000 people. In addition, Annie Lennox invited them to perform at a number of prestigious events, including the MIT Awards, and they also worked with actor/director Idris Elba, star of Mandela: Long Road To Freedom, who recruited them for an album celebrating South African music, recorded in tribute to Nelson Mandela.
At the core of the choirs 20-strong ensemble, whose motto is "Lighting up the world with a song", is a phenomenal ten-piece band featuring two keyboard players, two guitarists, bass, drums, percussion and three horn players.
Some of the singers and musicians are well known in Africa, or have appeared in West End shows like The Lion King. The group has stars in its midst, but it's a sense of belonging and togetherness that binds them, driven by faith and respect for their fellow members.
With more shows still to be announced, the London African Gospel Choir’s Graceland Reimagined is a cultural reinterpretation drawing on gospel, South African choral traditions, call-and-response, and spiritual rhythms that predate the album itself. Celebrating one of the greatest albums of all time, these shows are not-to-missed events.