GALLERY Soweto Gospel Choir in Coventry for performances throughout July

Soweto Gospel Choir, a world-renowned choir, has arrived in Coventry for a series of summer performances as part of a global tour.

Soweto Gospel Choir have brought their celebratory sound to Coventry for just four weeks, before going up to Scotland for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and a wider UK tour later in the year. 

The choir will fill Assembly Festival Garden with their joyful music at 16:30 six days a week, with performances in the magnificent Queen of Flanders spiegeltent.

The Choir, which won its third Grammy in 2019 for Best World Music Album for their album Freedom, hails from Soweto (South West Township) just outside Johannesburg in South Africa. Their music has been spreading musical joy across two decades, and Freedom honours the father of the rainbow nation, former president Nelson Mandela.

The timing of the Choir’s visit to Coventry is fitting, as during their time in city, Mandela Day will be marked across the world on 18 July. Coventry’s Jerry Dammers penned the track Free Nelson Mandela, which has become part of Soweto Gospel Choir’s repertoire. The song, performed by The Special AKA, became an anthem across the world during Mandela’s time in a South African prison.

Shimmy Jiyane, Soweto Gospel Choir Choir Master, said: “We are so excited to be in Coventry for the very first time. We have found the audiences to be wonderful as they are so warm and welcoming.

“The Queen of Flanders is an iconic venue and a wonderful space to perform in. It is a privilege to be here all of July for the whole of Soweto Gospel Choir.”

Assembly Festival Garden which opened originally in 2021 as part of Coventry UK City of Culture, remains in the city until August 2022 as part of the legacy programme.

To keep up to date with all Assembly Festival Garden news and future programme announcements visit www.assemblyfestivalgarden.com. Find on social @AssemblyGardens.

For more information on the choir go to www.sowetogospelchoir.com

Their work can be heard here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaur5Bi1ruBhrJ2Z6nYsfmg