When I stepped into The Common Room in Newcastle, I was blown away. The place is stunning, with its Victorian architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. And the candles everywhere? Don’t worry, they were electric – safety first!
The concert kicked off with Unchained Melody from the movie Ghost, instantly conjuring images of Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore dancing in my mind.
The night was divided into four sets, starting with Disney classics like Can You Feel the Love Tonight? and A Whole New World, which just filled me with nostalgia. Then came movie themes, including songs from La La Land and if you're a fan of Moulin Rouge!, you would be more than happy with the choice of Your Song by Elton John.
The string quartet then moved to some cinematic soundtracks, featuring tunes like Por Una Cabeza, which was absolutely amazing and literally gave me goosebumps, even though the movie Scent of a Woman isn't really my favorite. And La Vie En Rose from Midnight In Paris? It was too short - I could have listened to that version on repeat. Of course, they didn't forget the love songs, like Elvis Presley's Can’t Help Falling in Love and All You Need Is Love and so many others!
Was it romantic? Absolutely. Were there lots of kisses and hugs all around us? You bet. But honestly, who cares? Even though my boyfriend was ill and couldn't make it, I still had a great time, even though I didn't have the proper couple experience. Instead of kissing, some people were just making noise, or these two guys were just laughing about another guy sneezing. But I found myself completely lost in the music, so these little things around me didn't really take away from the overall magic of the evening.
I also enjoyed how the performers guided us through the sets they were playing, giving us info every few songs. Even though I knew most of the songs at least in some way, it helped me understand where the music actually came from. The whole experience lasted around 60 minutes and at first I was worried the pauses might break up the flow of the music too much, it actually made it better.
Aurora Strings truly made the night special. Their music filled the room, creating a magical atmosphere that enveloped us all and they ended the concert on a high note with the iconic theme from Titanic. With Celine Dion's timeless melody, candles flickering all around, and the historical charm of the venue, I understand how it might sound a tad oversweetened, but I assure you, it wasn't.
Tickets were around £30 per person for Section B, but I'd recommend splurging a bit for better seats. Given that this was a live concert without any microphones, it would be actually worth it to be closer to the action.