Candlelight Concert Review: A Beautiful Idea, But Not Quite the Dream

Candlelight Concert at NH Hotel Sandton

There’s been a lot of buzz about Candlelight Concerts lately. Every time you scroll through Instagram, it’s hard to miss the sweeping videos of glowing venues, flickering candles, and classical musicians reimagining pop legends in stunning, ambient settings.

Naturally, I was intrigued. Along with some friends, we booked a classical tribute to Coldplay and Imagine Dragons by the Vienna String Quartet, hosted at the NH Hotel in Sandton. With ticket prices ranging from R475–R890 for a 60-minute show, it promised a magical night.

Pre-Show Dinner: We kicked off the evening with dinner at Zioux — a spot that absolutely lived up to the hype. Elegant food, stylish setting, and the perfect way to set the mood for what we hoped would be a memorable musical experience.

First Impressions: Excitement built as we entered the NH Hotel. Its grand Victorian-style foyer created a great first impression. However, things took a turn when we were directed to a queue that extended awkwardly into the hotel’s restaurant — not ideal, especially as diners tried to enjoy their meals with a line of concertgoers next to them. This could’ve been managed better.

Once inside the venue, the surprise was less charming: the concert was held in a conference room. Despite a central stage and a ring of electric candles creating some mood lighting, the room felt more corporate than magical. We had envisioned a majestic hall dripping in candlelight — the kind you see on social media. What we got felt more like a wedding reception setup.

The Music: To be fair, the Vienna String Quartet was excellent. Their renditions of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons were played with passion and technical finesse. Hearing familiar pop songs reinterpreted through violin, viola, and cello was a beautiful, moving experience.

But... the venue let it down. The acoustics were flat, the space overheated, and the atmosphere lacked the soulful energy we had anticipated. At one point, I almost dozed off — not because of the music, but because the ambiance was just too dull for the occasion.

Final Thoughts: Candlelight Concerts are, without doubt, a brilliantly marketed experience. Visually appealing and Instagram-ready — but this particular event didn’t live up to its own promise. The concept is fantastic, and the musicians are genuinely talented. But a conference room simply doesn’t do justice to the grandeur the music deserves.

Would I go again? Maybe — but only if the setting matches the magic they sell.

Thinking of Going? A Word of Advice: If you’re planning to attend one of the Candlelight Concerts in Johannesburg, I’d recommend doing a bit of research beforehand. Look into the specific venue and ask around — there may be other locations that offer a more magical, immersive atmosphere and truly deliver those Instagram-worthy moments the ads promise. The concept is beautiful, but the setting can make or break the experience.