Soweto Gospel Choir – HOPE

The majestic power of gospel. The spine-tingling anthems behind Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King’s legacies. Swelling with pride, love and the fight for racial equality, this all-new concert from Soweto Gospel Choir is a rare chance to witness one of live music’s greatest wonders. We were so close to seeing the triple Grammy-winning choir at the Festival in 2020 and can’t wait for the historic sound of South African freedom songs and African American civil rights music — including protest songs by James Brown, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin — to raise the roof of the Auckland Town Hall.

Founded in 2002, Soweto Gospel Choir has sung with the likes of U2, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Celine Dion. Winner of three Grammys for Best Traditional World Music Album, the group is also performing in History of House with Australian DJ Groove Terminator at this year’s Festival. HOPE is a choral programme of South African freedom songs, sung in 12 Indigenous languages; protest music from the Civil Rights Movement; and select pop songs. The 15-strong choir is made up of the best talent from the many churches in and around Soweto. The members perform alongside two musicians on keys and percussion.