It was an early start in Rhos as the choir began their journey to a sold-out audience at The Atkinson Theatre in Southport – a brand-new venue for Johns’ Boys and one that welcomed us with tremendous warmth. The concert was a joy from start to finish, with the audience’s enthusiasm carrying the choir through a packed programme of Welsh favourites and contemporary classics.
There was barely time to catch a breath before the lads made a very quick change and stepped straight onto the night bus bound for Gretna Green. There may not have been any “I dos” on this occasion, but there were certainly plenty of “yes pleases” when the cooked breakfast arrived the next morning.
Refuelled and in good spirits, the choir travelled onward to Edinburgh, enjoying a few hours of sightseeing before sound check at the prestigious Queen’s Hall. Walking into such a historic and finely tuned acoustic space was a thrill in itself. The hall’s resonant sound and the warmth of the Scottish audience created a setting that felt truly special from the moment the first chord was struck.
The performance later that evening was met with an extraordinary response – one that was beautifully captured in The Edinburgh Reporter’s glowing review. The critic described the night as “a virtuous cycle of appreciation and energy,” and called the atmosphere “electric.” Another highlight from the review noted that the choir delivered “a show of pure, unadulterated musical joy,” with a mass singalong of The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond hailed as the “undisputed highlight.”
It was a whirlwind 24 hours, but one filled with music, laughter, unforgettable audiences, and memories that will last far longer than the bus journey home.
