The Night Shift at Wilton's Music Hall

The Night Shift at Wilton’s Music Hall

Rigid, stuck-up, formal and/or dry are terms often associated with classical music concerts. Sadly, in many cases it’s true.

Even at the BBC Proms – heralded as a festival of classical music for the people – the hardcore prommers standing guard in the arena can be a bunch of arrogant pricks – their behaviour completely ruining the chances of some friends I brought along ever coming to see classical music again.

The Night Shift

So, with a breath of fresh air, The Night Shift is starting to heal some of the wounds which classical music so often creates for itself. The genre bending series of concerts has been gathering a popular following and with it’s ‘minus the rules’ ethos and laid back atmosphere is drawing crowds that most orchestras can only dream of attracting.

This Friday night (13 August) The Night Shift comes to the world’s oldest music hall – and London’s hidden gem – Wilton’s near Aldgate East.

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment – the orchestra behind the series, will be playing Handel and Purcell on instruments from the 17th century. Their hour long performance is presented in a refreshingly unpatronising style from the stage by BBC presenter Alistair Appleton, with chat from the players and questions from the crowd between pieces. The orchestra will also be backed up by the awesome Nathan ‘Flutebox’ Lee and DJ Nick Luscombe will have a set in the bar from 10 till midnight.

During the performances you can talk, come and go with drinks, and clap when you like.

After going to the last one a few months ago in the Queen Elizabeth Hall – I only have good things to say about The Night Shift. With the added bonus of being in Wilton’s – a stunning venue – I would heartily recommend coming along to try something truly different.