Chorlton Sings – Early Summer 2026 gig: WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY, BENITO LOUNGE, CHORLTON – for Chorlton Arts Festival
Here you’ll find everything you need to know for our upcoming gig!
Deadlines:
Sectionals organised by: 29th April 2026
Solo auditions submitted by: 25th March 2026 – Deadline has now passed
Support acts submitted by: 15th April 2026 – Deadline has now passed
Let us know if you’d like to introduce a song by: 25th March 2026 – Deadline has now passed
🎤 Mandatory Band Rehearsal
Date: Wednesday 13th May 2026
Time: 7.15-8.45pm
Location: Chorlton Unitarian Church (as usual)
With: Choir, with Rose leading, plus band
This rehearsal is mandatory if you are doing the gig
📅 Gig Details
Date: Wednesday 20th May 2026
Venue: Benito Lounge, 595-597 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9AJ
Times:
6:30pm: Latest arrival time
6:45 – 7pm: Choir warm-up
7 – 7.30pm: Sound check
7:30pm: Performance
👗 Dress Code
Pastel colours, floral, glitter/sequin and WOW factor! The goal is to stand out together while looking fabulous. 😊
☎️ Main Contact on The Day
All the information you need is on this page.
If anything’s unclear, please ask before gig day.
On gig day, please don’t ask Rose or Brooke, we’ll be focusing on running the show smoothly. 💛
🔊 Sound Team
Sam, Paul and Will
🎤 Support Acts
‘Wild Boy Rockers’ (Nick, Howard, Will Naomi) – Spirit In the Sky (Norman Greenbaum)
Swifty Bell & Jenny Lee – Emmylou (First Aid Kit)
Matt B & co-writer – Original song (Matt Byrne & Josiah Neath)
Paul Watson – Original song (Paul Watson)
🎶 Setlist, Intros & Solos
SUPPORT ACT 1: Paul Watson – Original song
SUPPORT ACT 2: Matt Byrne – Original song
CHOIR SET 1:
Matt O:
Elastic Heart
Sam (Samuel):
Glory Box
Ian:
Songbird – solos – 1. Amy; 2. Sarah; 3 Grace; 4. Jenny
Kerry:
Marry Me Archie –solo – George
Naomi:
Beautiful Things – solo – Matt
Rose/Sam:
All These Things That I’ve Done
– interval (5 mins) –
SUPPORT ACT 3: Swifty Bell & Jenny Lee – Emmylou (First Aid Kit)
SUPPORT ACT 4: “Wild Boy Rockers” (Nick / Howard / Will / Naomi / Grace) – Spirit in the Sky (Norman Greenbaum)
Vee:
Hardest Part – solos – El & David
Emma:
Waterfalls
Howard:
Lovely Day/Feeling Good As Hell
David P:
Pink Pony Club
Rose/Sam:
Juice / Bullet proof
The deadline to apply for solos has now passed.
There were lots of solo applications so we sadly couldn’t give everyone a solo and it was very difficult decision! This doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough. If it is a ‘no’ this time, it might mean a ‘yes’ next time! There are a lot of factors at play, e.g. if you have done a solo before / if the song choice works with your voice / how many solos we have available etc.
Please keep trying!
Sectional Rehearsal
Please organise a sectional at a choir member’s home in your section (alto, bass, tenor, soprano). You can organise this using the end of rehearsal or your sectional WhatsApp group. This is a good opportunity to run through everything together just focussing on your own part.