MEDIA RELEASE - SYDNEY - JULY 2024: Sydney Fringe Festival has today announced the inclusion of two headline shows, by the triple Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir with both shows set to take over the iconic Sydney Spiegeltent in the Entertainment Quarter from 1 - 30 September 2024. The high energy show History of House is a joyous musical collaboration between one of Australia’s most iconic DJs, Groove Terminator and the Soweto Gospel Choir - that is set to bring the beat back to Sydney dance floors via a euphoric trip through the history of dance music! The show celebrates house music over the past 50 years, including chart topping hits from Chic, Donna Summer, Prince and The Eurhythmics to name a few!
Groover Terminator a.k.a. Simon Lewicki, said, “From my years living and performing in Sydney, I know this is a city that loves music and loves to come together and party. History of House is a celebration of legendary tunes, incredible voices and the power of connecting as humans through music and dance, so this show is a perfect fit for Sydney Fringe audiences,”
For those looking for a more healing elixir in their music, the Soweto Gospel Choir will also bring their brand-new gospel concert Hope, featuring a rousing program of songs and anthems inspired by the freedom movement of Nelson Mandela’s South Africa, and the United States Civil Rights movement of Martin Luther King’s 1950s America. The show was created to bring a beacon of hope to people all over the globe in a post pandemic world, to remind audiences of the power of hope and of the history of struggle that has gone before us. In this rousing show the choir performs beautiful renditions of the works of legendary artists such as James Brown, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and the one-and-only Aretha Franklin, as well as traditional African gospel tunes.
Shimmy Jiyane, Soweto’s Choir Master said, “Hope is a special show for all of us in the Soweto Gospel Choir. These are the songs that we grew up on; that inspired us and that keep inspiring us. Hope showcases the power of song and the power of performance and how they can inspire and soundtrack real change.”
CEO and Festival Director, Kerri Glasscock said, “We are so excited to welcome Soweto Gospel Choir back to Sydney, a city with which they have a long and cherished relationship. Audiences will experience the inspirational and life-affirming power of the choir across these two headline shows. Teaming up with music industry icon Groove Terminator for 'History Of House', they will reignite Sydney's dancefloors, creating an electrifying celebration of music. And ‘Hope’ is the ultimate life-affirming concert, bringing a fusion of beats and stories to the city in an unforgettable journey through history.”
History of House will play at the Sydney Speilgeltent from Thursday to Sunday and is a must-see for house music lovers - those who love the dancefloor, and who want to experience a truly captivating live show by world class performers! It’s a dancefloor-exploding celebration of dance music through the decades, reimagined and reignited. History of House premiered at Adelaide Fringe 2020, winning Best Music Show.
Hope will play at the Sydney Speilgetent on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Hailing from the town of Soweto, the birthplace of South Africa’s democratic movement's struggle for freedom, the Soweto Gospel Choir inspires audiences around the world with their powerful blend of African gospel, freedom songs, and international classics. Hope is a concert that will sing forever in your hearts!
Tickets are now on sale for Hope and History of House at https://www.sydneyfringe.com
The Sydney Fringe Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government, City of Sydney and the Inner West Council.
“This is the third time I have seen the Soweto Gospel Choir in five years. My objectivity is compromised. I am a Soweto swiftie, a ‘So-Go’ perhaps. I can’t get enough of these guys.” ★★★★★
Mal Byrne, LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE
“Collabs don’t come more epic than this.”
★★★★★ Hi Fi Way
“Nothing prepares you for the sensory overload you experience as you travel through the musical ages of the 70s, 80s, 90s all the way through to the end of the millennium.”
★★★★★ Glam Adelaide
“From the moment the show begins until the final notes are sung it’s just a continuous party vibe.”
★★★★★ OUTinPerth
“Seamlessly mixing classic house grooves with the mighty vocal power of the choir, the vibe is euphoric... If you love to dance, this joyous, explosive and dance-tastic show is a 100% must-see this Fringe.”
★★★★★ The Clothesline
For further information and to request interviews for HISTORY OF HOUSE or HOPE - please contact Aisling Brady e: aisling@aecreativecomms.com.au m: 0424 520 345.
ABOUT SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL
The Sydney Fringe Festival is the largest independent arts festival in NSW, representing thousands of artists across all art forms. It has built a reputation for nurturing and supporting emerging artists, presenting established artists in the development of new works, promoting small to medium-sized venues and activating public spaces. In addition to the presentation of art, this festival engages the local community of residents and supports small business and night-time economy. This festival aims to give a voice to those who produce work all year round and compete with main stage events for publicity, and large corporations for custom. This festival represents the cultural heart of the city and celebrates all things Sydney from local community groups to well-known touring artists. https://www.sydneyfringe.com/
ABOUT GROOVE TERMINATOR
Arguably Australia’s first ‘Superstar DJ’, Simon Lewicki has been at the top of his game as both a DJ and music industry professional for over 34 years. His Australian and US Billboard #1 single “Is It Love” in 2001 rocketed him to international fame, culminating in Gold records and nominations for Best Male Artist at the ARIA Awards (Australian Grammys). Simon is considered an elder statesman of the business by his peers both domestically and internationally. Simon has been working with Ministry of Sound Australia as the Creative Director for their successful national touring Orchestral show in recent years, as well as being head of A+R for the Music Publishing division he co-founded in 2010.
ABOUT SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR
Founded in 2002, the Emmy Award and three-time Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir have been spreading their infectious joy to audiences across the globe for nearly two decades. These uplifting performers have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music including U2, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Robert Plant, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Josh Groban. They have toured the globe and sold out some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including their critically acclaimed tour of FREEDOM – celebrating the centenary of the birth of the father of their Rainbow Nation, Nelson Mandela.
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