Candlelight: Coldplay vs Ed Sheeran

If you're looking for a unique way to experience some familiar pop hits in Brighton, the Candlelight concert series is back at the Royal Pavilion. The upcoming event is titled Candlelight: Coldplay vs Ed Sheeran, and it offers a multisensorial classical take on the biggest tracks from both artists. It’s a great chance to see the Pavilion used for something a little different, and for those who need it, the venue is confirmed to be wheelchair accessible.

Instead of the usual stadium sound, the music is performed by a string quartet, often featuring the Chaos Collective or sometimes the Sussex String Quartet. The program is designed to cover major tracks from both catalogs—you can expect to hear Coldplay classics like 'Fix You', 'Clocks', and 'Viva La Vida', alongside Ed Sheeran hits such as 'Perfect', 'Photograph', and 'Bad Habits'. The entire performance runs for 60 minutes, making it a concise and focused evening out. They are quite strict about logistics: doors open 45 minutes before the start time, and once the show begins, late entry is not permitted, so planning your arrival is key.

If you're planning to go, you have a few options confirmed for 2026, all held at the Pavilion. The next date is Friday, February 13th, scheduled for 9:00 PM. Later in the spring, there's a Saturday show on March 28th at the earlier time of 7:00 PM, and another Saturday performance on May 9th, also at 9:00 PM. Tickets are paid, and prices generally start around £28.00, though they range up to £37.28 depending on the zone you select; seating is assigned by order of arrival within those zones. Just keep in mind the age requirement: the minimum age for attendees is 8 years old, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. It seems like a solid night out, especially considering the event holds a strong 4.5/5 rating based on 146 reviews.