On 30 January, Sing Out Brussels! took over the cultural centre La Tricoterie completely. In a packed Salle des Arches we performed seven songs, preceded by a tantalising showcase and rounded off with a thunderous afterparty.
Just like some soaps manage to be shower gel, shampoo and conditioner all at once, this night offered three experiences for the price of one ticket. We kicked off with a showcase, then the full choir took to the stage, and we wrapped it all up with a banging party.
A showcase?
Some of our singers have so much creative energy left after the weekly rehearsals that they pour it into other musical projects. That evening, we put this overdose of talent within the choir firmly in the spotlight. Robbe delivered a personal take on “True Colors” that would make Cyndi Lauper proud. Zouzou sang the fragile “Goodbye Again”, accompanying themself on ukulele, about what it feels like to move to different countries all the time as a child. Carlos, Tong and Ricard blended their golden voices in “Grow As We Go” by Ben Platt: a bittersweet moment, as this was also when we learnt that Tong is moving to Thailand and will soon be leaving the choir.
The showcase ended with feminist rapper Powerpimppi, Riikka’s alter ego, who smashed the patriarchy to pieces with her bum in Finnish – and probably caused a spike in enrolments for evening classes in Finnish while she was at it. An emotional rollercoaster already… and Sing Out Brussels! hadn’t even started its main set yet.
Let’s come together
After our run of Christmas performances, this evening counted as the first real concert of the season: a big stage, a full house and piano accompaniment by Gilles. From the very first notes, loyal fans recognised our crackling version of “Freedom ’90” and saw the new choreography to “Love Yourself” for the first time.
Audience favourites from last season, “Pink Pony Club” and the super-medley “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us”, also made a comeback. Extra surprises included the Flemish classic “Dag vreemde man” and a spellbinding rendition of “Too Young” – complete with body percussion. We finished with “Sexual Revolution” and a message that could not be clearer: “Love is love, let’s come together!”
Energy level: liberating
Anyone still doubting whether Sing Out can throw a proper party only had to head down the stairs to La Tricoterie’s lounge. Around the altar of instantly legendary DJ duo The Sewer Brats, the gods of the dance floor were worshipped. Laure and Brian kept cranking up the energy until the room tipped over into ecstasy. Honestly, is there any other way for an evening with Sing Out Brussels! to end?
Want to experience it for yourself? On 7 March we’ll be back on stage, this time together with three other LGBTQIA+ choirs. Will we see you there?