LGMC 21st Anniversary Concert

As fans of the LGMC for almost ten years now, when Emily and I saw advertised the 21st Anniversary show we made a pledge that we would go to all of their concerts in this year. We went along with our dear friends The Leather Queens and arranged to meet up at the Royal Festival Hall at 1830 so we could have a pre show drink together. The Royal Festival Hall was originally built in the 1950's in Post War London to replace the buildings that we were lost to bombing. At just 2900 seats it seems impossible that in 1960 it was the host venue for the European Song Contest, when these days the competition is so vast they have to build bespoke venues to fit the capacity guests and performers. The hall itself has been completed refurbished and yet managed to retain a 1950s feel and yet was a stunning venue, particulary fabulous for a concert as you have unblocked views. Our seats were in the forward stalls and we sat down to enjoy the show. I don't think I have ever seen so many of the LGMC perform in a single show and to top that they had added guest performers. The show was, as always, a combination of classic and modern songs and I particularly loved the Madonna vs. Lady Gaga remix. Fabulous. They have recently started to do an Outreach program with various schools in the London area helping run workshops and providing the children with skills in confidence, singing and performing. Including non Main Stream schools and they all joined up on the stage to sing a segment of numbers with the boys. There was a deaf school also singing and signing to the numbers and one particular boy caught our eye as he was so happily singing to his hearts content he forgot to sign with his group. Of course it didn't matter, it just made your heart feel warm seeing them all belting out the numbers together and loving every minute. How many 8 year old's can say they have performed at Royal Festival Hall in front of nearly 3000 people? It was not the only touching moment of the show. The second half they were joined the Southbank's own choir, an all female ensemble and it was nice to hear the harmonies of both male and female voices for a change. The show lasted nearly three hours and was enjoyed by all four of us and well done to the LGMC on 21 Fabulous years and long may the good work and good cheer you bring continue to be enjoyed all around the globe.