Soweto Gospel Choir in concert in Rome, December 15th, 2024

The Soweto Gospel Choir played to a packed audience at Rome’s Auditorium Conciliazione theatre (the venue is located near the Vatican).

 

The choir was formed in 2002 to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music. They have sung for President Bill Clinton, as part of the promotional campaign for the 2010 World Cup, for King Charles and Queen Camilla and also at Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s funeral.  

They have been ambassadors for Nelson Mandela’s "46664" campaign and have also sung with many  international artists, such as Ben Harper, Johnny Clegg and Savuka (I saw that band in Montréal in the 1980s at their great jazz festival), Shakira, John Legend and the Black Eyed Peas.

 

 
 
 
 
 

Robert Plant, October 11th, 2024, Rome

Robert Plant, October 11th, 2024, Rome’s Auditorium aka Parco della Musica.  It was the 5th time for me to see live old Mr. Led Zeppelin, aka Robert Plant, and his great little band, Saving Gracce with singer Suzi Dian.  The first time was way back in 1987 at Montréal’s old Forum.  

That night another phenomenal musician got up on stage and before Robert, the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan (he died 2 years later in Clapton’s helicopter).  Robert’s Rome show, one of 11 in Italy (where I caught him the other 4 times live in concert, including here in Rome), was about 80-85 minutes long and consisted of 15 songs, including some of his solo work such as “Angel Dance” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqt_aknuEWk) and old Zep tunes such as these fantastic hits (and even a wee bit of “Black Dog” too!  Two old masterpieces by Robert, Jimmy, John and Bonzo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeDylD8dV7U    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ene4gCWPCOo). 

No accreditation this time but I managed just the same to get some shots (and where we were sitting it was 69 euros per ticket).  Nevertheless, a TRUE pleasure and honour of having seen Plant again live in concert!