Candlelight has brought new life to classics while welcoming people into an immersive musical experience. The popular concert series has been given its flowers for its innovative approach with Vogue India praising the tributes as “magical evenings” and BBC Music Magazine’s Classical Music calling it “exactly as the adverts promise: an enjoyable hour of music played in an atmospheric setting.”
Produced by Live Your City, a local brand of Fever Global, the series has illuminated gorgeous Mumbai venues for around a year now. After talking to Candlelight India’s Music Curator, we learned that the concerts have had their share of challenges—very much expected when stepping into a new and multitudinous market filled with skeptics and music lovers alike.
Subsequently, the classical performances have received a kaleidoscope of comments from concertgoers, from glowing reviews to chuckle-worthy critiques. Read on for a selection of our favourites. However, the future of Candlelight in India does appear to shine as bright as the series’ trademark sea of twinkling candles. To see what we mean, check out all upcoming Candlelight concerts in Mumbai.
The not-so-hot Candlelight reviews
The road to success is often paved with honest feedback. Two reviewers said the concert was “highly okay” and a “hilarious oxymoron”, which are arguably the classiest burns the series has ever received.
But perhaps the best comment that reminded us of our teenage angst: “The guy who was coming, again and again, to say stop taking video was irritating […] it was like I am in school and the teacher is coming again and again.” Seems like the guest was not buying the Narayan Shankar vibes.
Still, attendees are advised before every show to refrain from taking photos until the last set. It’s done so as not to distract the musicians but also to maintain the intimate atmosphere created by the twinkling candles. Unfortunately, no utilitarian judgments go with this moral dilemma.
Agree to disagree? Go yourself and make your own mind up about Candlelight.
Candlelight reviews that are on fire
However, for every misstep and snarky remark, there have been dozens of rave reviews that have deemed Candlelight as “awesome, the instruments were tickling my soul”, and tickled we are indeed. One satisfied guest said that everyone “must try this… it’s totally worth it”. Although they didn’t say why, another guest found comfort in the warm ambiance and said, “it felt like therapy”.
Additionally, even the self-professed non-classical fans couldn’t help but fall under the spell of the enchanting classical tributes, revealing that “[they] don’t know much about classical music, but for a second, just for a second, the music conjured up grand images of the halls the pieces were composed in.” Candlelight might have just inspired a concertgoer to pursue a career in writing.
Transport yourself with your own Candlelight tickets.
Somewhat perplexing reviews
Then there are the Candlelight concert reviews that seem more conflicting than critical and made us go huh?
One attendee insisted that the “artists should sing along to encourage the audience as well”. However, another guest was not amused by the crowd singing along to the tunes they know and love, adding that “the experience of listening to the instrument is lost due to the audience singing in incorrect pitches.”
This makes one wonder if audience participation is ultimately a question of personal taste. While Candlelight emphasises the peaceful haven created by the music and the thousands of flickering candles, it’s important to read the room. Sometimes you just need to save your singing voice for the shower.
And the pièce de résistance: “it was a concert and it was feeling like a marriage or engagement ceremony.” Conflicting because we know many people love engagement parties and weddings. So, maybe the intimate atmosphere triggered images of rejected proposals for this reviewer—we’ll never know.
But they might be onto something because, after all, many people across the world have used the captivating ambiance of Candlelight concerts to pop the question.
Candlelight in India has been a beautiful blend of triumphs, lessons and even laughter. At its core, the global concert series remains true to its mission of making classical music accessible to all audiences. If after reading these reviews you’re still not convinced, check out these reasons why you should give these shows a go.
So here’s to many more years of—as The Free Press Journal puts it—“refreshing and uplifting” concerts and more soul-stirring Western and Indian classical music!