What if your next classical concert wasn’t in a concert hall—but an old church, an aquarium, or even a hotel lobby? What if it featured Coldplay and Queen alongside Chopin and Vivaldi? What if the whole thing was bathed in candlelight?
That’s the vibe behind Candlelight concerts, a global music series by Fever that’s shaking up what it means to experience classical music. “We’ve reimagined the format while preserving its essence,” says Wyatt McNeil, project manager at Fever. “The concerts are shorter— around 60 minutes—making them more approachable and easier to enjoy.”
Part of the appeal is the mood: thousands of candles, atmospheric venues, and musicians who actually talk to the audience. But it’s the genre-bending programming that really sets it apart. “Audiences can enjoy tributes to pop, rock, folk, and Latin artists, alongside classical masterpieces and beloved film soundtracks,” Wyatt says.
Candlelight is now in more than 150 cities worldwide— including Denver, where performances have popped up at Trinity United Methodist Church and The Kirk of Highland. How do they keep the magic consistent? “We follow clear standards of excellence, but we also really listen to our audience,” Wyatt says. That means regular feedback helps shape everything from the setlist to the setting.
Sometimes, they’ll layer in ballet or aerial performances to take things even further. “The candlelit atmosphere creates an intimate setting that enhances the connection with the music,” Wyatt says. “And in Colorado, people show up big—for Mozart or for Ed Sheeran.”
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