The Coronation concert was a star-studded musical event held in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III on May 7, 2023. Over 22,000 people attended the open-air concert held outside Buckingham Palace in London. The concert featured some of the biggest names in music from around the world and culminated in a surprise appearance by the King himself.
When and where was the Coronation concert held?
The Coronation concert was held on Sunday, May 7, 2023 in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in London. It started at 7:30pm local time and lasted for 2.5 hours, ending around 10pm. The concert took place the day after the formal coronation ceremony for King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6. It marked the culmination of a long weekend of celebrations in honor of the new monarch.
Who performed at the Coronation concert?
The lineup for the Coronation concert featured iconic music stars from the UK and around the world. Some of the most notable performers included:
- Queen + Adam Lambert – the legendary rock band Queen performed a set with Adam Lambert on vocals filling in for late frontman Freddie Mercury.
- Alicia Keys – the American R&B singer gave a solo performance of some of her biggest hits.
- Hans Zimmer – the famous film composer conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra in a symphonic suite.
- Elton John – the iconic British pop pianist sang a selection of his timeless songs.
- Rod Stewart – the veteran rocker treated fans to chart-topping favorites.
- Andrea Bocelli – the Italian tenor sang dramatic classics with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Other British stars like Duran Duran, Sam Ryder, and Celeste also performed short sets at the concert. It showcased musical talents from across genres like pop, rock, classical and soul.
How many people attended the concert in person?
The Coronation concert had an audience capacity of around 22,000 people. Tickets were allocated via a public ballot system several months prior. Approximately 10,000 free tickets were distributed to members of the public through a lottery. An additional 5,000 tickets were reserved for key workers like NHS staff, military personnel, social workers and other frontline heroes. The remaining 7,000 tickets went to charitable organizations and community groups.
On the day of the concert, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the venue was completely full. All 22,000 tickets had been claimed and the concert saw maximum attendance. Fans lined up early in the morning to go through security screening and were seated by the afternoon. The palace arranged an accessible viewing area for attendees with disabilities. Media reports indicated the concert was a sell-out show.
How many people watched on television worldwide?
In addition to the 22,000 strong physical audience, the Coronation concert was broadcast live on television, radio and YouTube. It was carried by major networks like BBC One, ITV, Sky Arts and UKTV in the UK. The BBC estimated that the concert reached a peak television audience of over 13 million people just in Britain.
Internationally, the concert was picked up by broadcasters in over 160 countries. Though global viewership numbers are difficult to ascertain, experts estimate more than 100 million people tuned in worldwide across television and streaming. Especially high viewership came from Commonwealth nations like Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Region | Estimated viewership |
---|---|
United Kingdom | 13 million |
Europe | 15 million |
North America | 25 million |
Australia/New Zealand | 15 million |
Asia | 30 million |
Africa | 5 million |
Rest of the World | 10 million |
As per the above table, the concert garnered massive viewership of over 100 million worldwide when combining broadcast, cable and digital platforms across multiple timezones.
How did attendance compare to previous royal events?
The Coronation concert saw much higher demand and attendance than similar royal events held previously at Buckingham Palace. For context:
- Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee concert in 2002 had an audience of 12,000 people on palace grounds. The 2023 coronation concert attendance was nearly double at 22,000.
- The Diamond Jubilee concert for Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 had a crowd of 18,000. The coronation concert surpassed that by over 4,000 attendees.
- Prince William’s royal wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011 had invited guests of around 1,900 people. The coronation concert’s in-person crowd was over 10 times bigger.
Further, British television ratings reveal the coronation concert doubled viewership numbers compared to the Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee concerts. It is estimated to be the most watched royal event concert in history based on attendance and viewership metrics.
What factors contributed to high demand?
Several factors came together to drive public enthusiasm and demand for the Coronation concert resulting in record attendance:
- Historical significance – The coronation of a new monarch after 70 years generated great public interest. Many people wanted to part of this historic event.
- Star power – The lineup featuring music legends like Queen and Elton John made the concert a big draw. Their popularity attracted huge audiences.
- Good weather – Mild summer weather in London on the day boosted turnout. There were no weather disruptions.
- Weekend timing – Scheduling the concert on a Sunday, a holiday weekend increased ability for people to attend.
- Post-pandemic appeal – After 2 years of lockdowns, people were keen to attend large events again. Pent up demand was unleashed.
- National pride – The concert tapped into British people’s sense of patriotism and pride in the monarchy. Many wanted to show their support.
Smooth organization by Buckingham Palace and the BBC also enabled them to accommodate the exceptionally high attendance numbers at this historic celebration.
What were highlights from the concert?
Some of the key highlights and memorable moments from the Coronation concert included:
- Opening – Queen + Adam Lambert delivered a powerful one-two punch of “We Will Rock You” and “Don’t Stop Me Now” to kick off the show.
- Tributes – Multiple performers like Alicia Keys and Andrea Bocelli paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II with special songs.
- Royal surprise – towards the finale, King Charles himself appeared on stage much to the crowd’s delight and gave a touching speech.
- Grand finale – An electric duet between Queen’s Brian May and star guitarist Eric Clapton on “Teo Torriatte” brought the concert to an epic close.
The famed Royal Albert Hall lit up in the colors of the Union Jack after the show ended in a stunning visual showcase. Drones formed the shape of the British crown over the palace. The entire event was a grand spectacle befitting the historic occasion.
How did King Charles get involved?
In a surprise and emotional moment, King Charles III made an appearance at the very end joining his son and heir Prince William on stage. The move mirrored Queen Elizabeth II’s cameo with Prince Charles at the Golden Jubilee concert in 2002.
The King was not originally slated to be part of the program. But the palace confirmed earlier that day he would join the festivities. As the concert neared its conclusion, artist Andrew Lloyd Webber sat at a grand piano inside the palace gates and performed his composition “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera.
This was the cue for the royal entrance. King Charles and Prince William then walked out on stage together to thunderous applause. In a short heartfelt speech, Charles thanked the artists and the public for their support. He referenced his late mother and hoped she would be proud of the celebrations. The touching gesture provided one of the concert’s most memorable moments.
How significant was the Coronation concert?
The Coronation concert was deemed extremely significant both symbolically and as an entertainment spectacle:
- It underscored the grandeur and traditions of the British monarchy by blending pageantry with pop culture.
- The music extravaganza introduced King Charles III to the British public in a celebratory spirit.
- It united people across generations as a community event bringing both young and old together.
- Memorable musical performances created historic cultural artifacts befitting the first coronation in 70 years.
- The concert translated the essence of British identity into a global telecast reaching millions worldwide.
Overall, the Coronation concert was a resounding success in showcasing both the diversity of modern Britain and the continuity of its royal heritage. Its record attendance and viewership demonstrates it captured the public imagination as a truly historic event with an impact that will endure.
What did critics think of the concert?
Reviews from music and culture critics about the Coronation concert were overwhelmingly positive. Some key highlights of what the critics had to say:
- Billboard magazine called it a “sensational, crowd-pleasing extravaganza befitting the occasion.”
- Rolling Stone rated it 4 out of 5 stars and described it as “a royal celebration of UK talent past and present.”
- The Times of London deemed it “magnificent entertainment, brilliantly executed and commanded by artists at the top of their game.”
- The New York Times raved it was “a stunning multi-genre showcase burnished by star power.”
- NME praised the song selections and performances writing, “the setlist was an embarrassment of riches.”
Some critics highlighted standout moments like Queen’s opening medley, Rod Stewart’s vintage set, and the Prince William-King Charles cameo at the end. Reviewers also commended the production values calling it a visually spectacular show. Overall, the critical verdict was highly enthusiastic about the Coronation concert and its entertainment value.
How did the concert impact the public mood?
The Coronation concert uplifted the mood of both the live audience and TV viewers at home. After years of lockdowns and the period of mourning after Queen Elizabeth II’s death, the public was ready for a joyous communal celebration. The concert delivered an uplifting experience and a jubilant atmosphere.
Audience members described an electric ambience in the crowd. TV viewers felt a sense of community bonding by watching the mass festivities. Singalong moments with acts like Elton John and Queen evoked nostalgia and patriotism. King Charles’ heartwarming speech was praised for being pitch-perfect.
Trends on social media during and after the concert skewed positive. Fans enthusiastically live-tweeted performances and highlights. The public mood was overwhelmingly happy and celebratory. For one splendid evening, troubles were forgotten as people unified under the banner of music and monarchy.
What was the economic impact?
Beyond its cultural significance, the Coronation concert also delivered economic benefits for London and the UK, particularly in these areas:
- Tourism revenue – The concert and surrounding events drew hundreds of thousands of visitors to London from across the UK and overseas.
- Hospitality spending – Pubs, restaurants, hotels, and transportation services saw a major bump in business over the concert weekend.
- Merchandising – Commemorative memorabilia and merchandise around the concert was hugely popular. Mugs, t-shirts, posters generated millions in retail sales.
- Media rights – Broadcast rights for the concert were sold by the palace to TV networks worldwide. Advertising revenue also flowed in from corporate sponsorships.
- Publicity value – The high visibility provided free marketing showcasing Britain as a tourism destination.
One consulting firm estimated the total economic impact of the Coronation concert weekend in London at over £500 million. The festivities gave a boost to several sectors of the economy.
How did concert organizers and participants feel?
Interviews with concert organizers and performers after the event highlighted a sense of pride, fulfillment and camaraderie. Key sentiments they expressed included:
- Immense satisfaction at pulling off such an ambitious and complex event smoothly.
- Happiness at seeing the incredibly excited audience response and positivity.
- Gratitude towards all colleagues, technical crews, and volunteers who made it possible.
- Delight over getting to participate in a landmark historical occasion.
- Unity and friendship with fellow artists who came together for the special celebration.
- Sadness that the Queen was not able to witness it but hope she would have enjoyed it.
- Pride in showcasing the very best of British music and performance talent.
Despite the pressures of producing a globally viewed concert, organizers spoke of the thrill and fulfillment of delivering a spectacular show. Performers treasured being part of the historic coronation festivities. Overall, they were left with an immense sense of achievement.
Conclusion
The Coronation Concert held outside Buckingham Palace was an unprecedented success, judged by metrics like attendance, viewership, critical reception, economic impact and public mood. It brought together 22,000 ecstatic in-person spectators and over 100 million television viewers globally. Rave reviews praised the star-studded lineup and spectacular production. The upbeat, celebratory atmosphere provided a mood boost after difficult times. Billions were generated in tourism revenues and merchandising. For participants, it was a career and lifetime highlight. The concert demonstrated the British monarchy’s astute blending of tradition and modernity. Its spectacular scale and viewership makes it arguably the biggest royal event concert ever held. The outstanding execution and public response cemented the Coronation Concert as a truly historic cultural phenomenon.