A Night with Candlelight and Funk
Written and photographed by Selina Ferrais
It was William Shakespeare that said, music is “the food of love”, expressing how it has the ability to catch you off guard get you right in the “feels”, particularly of the “lurve” flavour! For me, music is a balm, a healer and allows a deep, emotional connection to not only myself but other people.
One night, after disappearing down the rabbit hole that is Instagram, I stopped on a post that was not of my usual ilk (sarcastic memes and mis-sung song lyrics). It was of a string quartet playing one of my favourite songs, Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (grunge and hard rock were definitely my jam – think angsty teen). What was this sorcery!! This was my first encounter with the worldwide phenomenon, Fever’s Candlelight Concerts.
Fever’s Candlelight Concerts can boast an impressive 3 million plus attendees, with concerts across 120 cities globally. From Coldplay to Hans Zimmer, Pink Floyd, Imagine Dragons, and Taylor Swift, the list is long and impressive, with the concerts offering an experience of live classical music imagined differently. The concert venues are curated carefully under the premise that the musicians perform in smaller, more intimate venues, stripped of the usual fanfare. It’s just you, the music, and the glow of the candles.
I booked a ticket to an Evening of Funk at St. Anglican Church in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Arriving 20 minutes before start time (out of respect for the performers you won’t be allowed entry if you are even one minute late), I walked into the church, and felt a peace descend. The atmosphere was already something special. Hundreds of flameless candles flickered softly, casting golden light on the old stone walls of the cathedral. I half expected a choir or classical ensemble to take the stage, but instead, the delightful quartet, Paradiso Strings walked on to the alter with a special guest appearance by a bass player to deliver an evening of groove, soul, and rhythm in one of Brisbane’s most beautiful, sacred spaces.
Full disclosure: when I booked a “funk concert,” I was sceptical about how a group of violinists could pull it off. Funk is bold, electric, and full of hearty depth. However, the minute they played the first notes of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” all doubts disappeared. Combined with the musicians’ skills and the church’s acoustics—its high ceilings and old stone—the music had a richness and depth you wouldn’t expect. Every note filled the air, and every beat seemed to linger just a little longer to make you notice.
The quartet and guest bass player didn’t miss a beat, flawlessly delivering the nuances of each well-known hit. They played with such passion, levity, and authenticity, each note feeling purposeful yet playful. There’s something about live music that’s hard to describe until you’re there, completely present, watching talented musicians work their magic from a place of flow—heartfelt purpose. For me, it was the moment they launched into “Funky Town” that sealed the deal. It was impossible not to jiggle, toe-tap, smile, or subtly nod, and judging by the swaying crowd, I wasn’t alone.
There’s something wonderfully uncomplicated about a night like this. No massive crowds, no jostling for a view, no overpriced drinks. Just pure music, an atmosphere that feels a little sacred, and a sense of community that’s hard to appreciate in bigger venues. Live music definitely has the power to connect us, and I’d say that’s exactly what this night was about.
Whether you’re a lover of classical, jazz, funk or hard rock the beauty of these candlelight concerts lies in the simplicity of the experience. It strips away the distractions, leaving you with music that feels raw, powerful, and personal. There’s a calmness in the air, a collective breath everyone seems to take when the first note hits, knowing they’re about to experience something special.
For me, it was a reminder of why live music matters. In a world where so much of our interaction with music comes through headphones or screens, there’s nothing quite like sharing it with a room full of people, each of us silently appreciating what’s unfolding in front of us. Music brings people together in a way that’s not meant to be explained, just felt.
Fever’s Candlelight Concerts are more than just events—they’re experiences. Do yourself a favour and grab a ticket, turn off your phone, and just be in the moment. You might even find yourself, like me, smiling with childlike glee when you hear and see what these violin-bow ninjas can do with the bowed string instrument to some of your favourite songs. It’s a superpower in and of itself, and in a church! And that, my friends, is something you won’t forget anytime soon.
To learn more – https://feverup.com/en/brisbane/candlelight
