A Gospel Christmas

On December 19th, 2024, St George’s Hall came alive with the soulful harmonies of gospel music as six choirs joined forces for a truly uplifting celebration: A Gospel Christmas. Dedicated entirely to the power, passion, and spirit of gospel, this special event showcased the genre’s rich musical heritage while championing its transition into the UK mainstream.

The evening featured breathtaking performances from Liverpool Lighthouse Youth Gospel Choir, Liverpool Lighthouse Choir, Love and Joy Gospel Choir, Manchester Inspirational Voices Choir, BIMM Birmingham Gospel Choir, and Haley Kincade and Wavertree Gospel Choir. More than just a concert, A Gospel Christmas was a testament to gospel’s enduring message of unity and peace—brought to life through the voices of extraordinary artists.

Anu Omideyi, being one of them, acted as organiser, singer, and host for this concert—playing a pivotal role in making this event a reality. Gospel remains an underrepresented genre in the UK, but Liverpool Lighthouse, in collaboration with Anu Omideyi, sought to change that by creating A Gospel Christmas. A leading figure in UK gospel, Anu is not only the director of the Liverpool Gospel Music Festival but also Co-Chair of the Gospel Music Industry Alliance, a choir director, gospel artist, public speaker, songwriter, producer, and the founder of the Gospel Music into Schools Program. Thanks to her vision and dedication, A Gospel Christmas became a powerful platform to elevate gospel music and inspire a new wave of listeners.

Anu, along with Lighthouse Choir and Love and Joy Gospel Choir, opened the event with a captivating rendition of Amazing Grace. As people were getting settled, her voice filled the hall with an astonishing richness and immediately drew everyone’s attention. The audience fell into a hushed silence, captivated by Anu’s powerful, commanding voice.

The energy shifted with Haley Kincade and Wavertree Gospel Choir. Bringing a lively, infectious spirit, they delivered funky renditions of This Christmas and Put a Little Love in Your Heart, transforming the hall into a joyous celebration. Kincade achieved her goal of sharing a message of “peace and unity” as people began dancing joyfully. The choir also performed O Come, All Ye Faithful as a soulful and solemn illustration of their vocal range.

The atmosphere remained electric as BIMM Birmingham Gospel Choir took the stage. A highlight of the night was seeing the students of BIMM University pour their passion into performances of Never Alone, Little Drummer Boy, and The Source of My Strength. Their choir director, Jerome Bucknor, joined in for the final song, No Greater Love. With an effortless charm, Bucknor invited the audience to participate, teaching them a simple move and watching as the entire hall joined in with enthusiasm—proof that gospel music is not just to be heard but to be felt.

Following this, Love and Joy Gospel Choir returned for a second performance, this time offering deeply moving renditions of Joy and The Precious Lamb of God. Their harmonies soared, carrying an undeniable sense of devotion and passion.

Liverpool Lighthouse Youth Choir followed, and despite being the youngest performers of the night, they delivered a performance just as compelling and captivating as the other choirs. Their powerful rendition of Hallelujah, Salvation, and Glory sent waves of emotion through the audience. After being taken aback by such talented young performers the audience rose out of their seats to provide a standing ovation full of cheers.

Building on this momentum, Manchester Inspirational Voices Choir took to the stage next. Wayne Ellington, a renowned gospel musician and choir director, embraced the spirit of unity and togetherness within gospel as he encouraged people to sing along. Their performances of Wonderful Is Your Name and Shout! invigorated the crowd as they began dancing and clapping. The choir also delivered a moving and poignant performance of Glory to the Newborn King, bringing a sense of peace and reflection to the night.

Then, in true Scouse spirit, Liverpool Lighthouse Choir delivered one of the most memorable performances of the evening with their rendition of Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon. Their unique gospel-infused take on this classic filled the hall with warmth and nostalgia, evoking both joy and deep reflection on the song’s timeless message of hope and unity.

A heartwarming finale took place as Love and Joy Gospel Choir and Liverpool Lighthouse Choir performed together. They sang O Holy Night and a vibrant, rendition of Kirk Franklin’s Silent Night. But it was their final song, Joy to the World, that truly encapsulated the spirit of the evening. The concert concluded on an uplifting note, leaving the audience with a song that beautifully embodied gospel music’s message. The audience left with smiles on their faces, remembering the amazing choirs that shared a beautiful and pure message through their music.

Overall, this concert was a pleasure to see and hear. It was touching to witness gospel music’s message being shared with so many people through such outstanding choirs. It was especially significant to see such an incredible response to this concert as it served as a fundraiser for the upcoming festival, Liverpool Gospel Music Festival, in May 2025. All the choirs performed not only to promote the upcoming festival but also in the hope of paving the way for more opportunities for gospel music in the future. Each choir dedicated countless hours to rehearsing, perfecting harmonies, and bringing their passion to the stage, all with the shared goal of elevating gospel music in the UK. Their commitment goes beyond just one performance—it reflects a deep-seated desire to see gospel music flourish, gain the recognition it deserves, and create lasting opportunities for future artists and audiences alike.

Unfortunately, due to the riots in summer 2024, that year's festival was cancelled. After the Southport stabbings, rumours and misinformation spread across the country. It was scary, disappointing, and saddening to see people exploit such an horrific attack to incite further violence. Consequently, many people from non-white backgrounds were made to feel unsafe. This led to the festival’s cancellation in 2024, as both performers and attendees were too afraid to attend. However, as Anu attested, A Gospel Christmas and the response to it show that “there is a place for gospel music in Liverpool and in the UK”.

We would like to thank St George’s Hall for providing the venue, Anu Omideyi and all the choirs that performed, as well as Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Football Club, who funded 50 tickets for people in the Anfield and Everton areas to attend for free. Of course, a big thank you to everyone who attended and helped prove that gospel and its message of love and peace remain undefeated and everlasting.

The Liverpool Gospel Music Festival will take place at Liverpool Olympia on Sunday, 4th May 2025, starting at 15:00, with an evening ticket option at 19:00.

Headliners include the legendary London Community Gospel Choir, alongside Michelle John, Volney Morgan & New-Ye, Triple O, and Lighthouse Choir, and many more fantastic acts.

Don’t miss out! Get your tickets here for Liverpool Gospel Music Festival 2025 and join us for another unforgettable celebration of gospel music.