Candlelight: Queen vs ABBA

Candlelight: Queen vs ABBA is taking place at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton on 5 December 2026. This event is a musical experience that combines the atmosphere of a concert lit by candles with the music of two of the most well-known bands in history: Queen and ABBA. The performance is being delivered by the Kavolini string quartet, who have adapted the material for their specific instrumentation.

The programme for the evening covers a significant portion of the back catalogues of both groups. From the ABBA side, the quartet will be playing Dancing Queen, SOS, Money, Money, Money, Waterloo, Super Trouper, and Mamma Mia. These are paired with a selection of Queen’s most recognisable tracks, including Bohemian Rhapsody, I Want to Break Free, Don't Stop Me Now, We Will Rock You, and We Are the Champions. Hearing these songs played by a string quartet changes the texture of the music, moving away from the original studio production and into a more acoustic, classical arrangement. It’s a way to hear these specific melodies in a different context, focusing on the composition of the songs themselves rather than the original recordings.

The concert is scheduled to begin at 19:00. Tickets are currently priced at £28.00, although it is worth noting that these prices are subject to change on a daily basis. The event is aimed at a general audience, particularly those who enjoy pop music and are interested in experiencing it within the historic setting of the Royal Pavilion. Because the venue is a historic site, the combination of the candlelight setting and the string quartet arrangements is the primary draw for the evening. It’s a straightforward format: the music of two major pop acts, performed by a four-piece string ensemble, starting at 19:00 on a December evening.