I had seen pictures of Lumos Experiences’ candlelight concerts online, but hadn’t had the chance to attend one until recently. At the end of October, I went with my family to St Mary’s Church in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, to experience one of their performances for ourselves.
The concept is simple: live music performed by professional musicians, surrounded by thousands of LED candles inside a historic building. We chose the Coldplay programme, featuring some of the band’s best-known songs performed by a string trio.
It was our first experience of a candlelight concert, and it turned out to be a very enjoyable evening.
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A Candlelit Concert in St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church provided an ideal setting for the event. From the moment we walked inside, the contrast between the dark exterior and the warm glow of the candles was striking.
The candles covered much of the space around the performance area, creating a different atmosphere from that of a conventional concert hall. The historic architecture and stone interior also added to the experience, while the relatively intimate setting made it easy to focus on the musicians.
There was no elaborate staging or unnecessary production. The setting and the lighting did most of the work.
Coldplay Reimagined for Strings
The performance featured three musicians, two violinists and a cellist, who played around eight Coldplay songs during the one-hour concert.
Hearing familiar songs such as Clocks, Fix You and Viva la Vida performed entirely on string instruments was an interesting experience. Without the drums, guitars and electronic arrangements of the original recordings, the melodies take on a different character.
The acoustic quality of the church worked particularly well. The sound carried naturally throughout the building, with the instruments benefiting from the space and its acoustics.
What I particularly enjoyed was recognising the songs while hearing them interpreted in a completely different way. You don’t need to be a classical music enthusiast to appreciate the performance, especially if you’re already familiar with Coldplay’s music.
(Note: I managed to capture a quick recording on my smartphone during the performance. While the phone video quality isn’t quite professional grade, I’ve embedded it below so you can get a small taste of the magical atmosphere!)
Is a Lumos Candlelight Concert Worth It?
Overall, we enjoyed the experience. The combination of live music, the candlelit setting and the atmosphere of a historic church makes this something a little different from a typical evening concert.
The performance lasted approximately one hour, which felt about right. There was enough time to enjoy a selection of familiar songs without the event becoming too long.
Tickets were approximately £40, so it’s not necessarily an inexpensive night out. However, if you’re looking for something different to do, particularly as a couple or with friends, it’s worth considering.
We didn’t have any particular complaints about the evening. The musicians performed well, the acoustics were good and St Mary’s Church was a lovely venue for this type of event.
It was our first Lumos concert, but we’d happily consider attending another one, particularly if they feature music from an artist we enjoy.
Practical Ticketing & Seating Tips
- Book Well in Advance: Candlelight concerts in unique historic buildings have limited capacities and tend to sell out quickly.
- Choose Your Seating Wisely: Front zones better for watching the musicians’ fingerwork, while middle or rear zones offer a panoramic view of the candles.
- Arrive Early: Seating within purchased zones is typically first-come, first-served. Arriving 30–45 minutes early ensures your family sits together.
- Dress in Layers: Old stone churches can hold a chill even when filled with thousands of candles.
Event & Booking Information
- Family Friendliness: Most candlelit events are suitable for children (typically ages 8+), offering a unique introduction to live classical instrumentation through modern pop anthems.
- Organizer: Lumos Experiences (specialists in immersive, candlelit tribute concerts in historic venues).
- Where to Find Next Events: You can discover upcoming regional dates, check future venue schedules, and book tickets directly through the official Lumos Experiences Website or via their ticketing partner pages on platforms like Fatsoma.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.