Manchester's world famous orchestra The Hallé are back. And this time they are getting down with the groove. But will it go with a bang?
Watching The Hallé: Disco Dynamite at the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham is a strange, but wonderful, experience. A full orchestra performing disco and dancefloor classics doesn’t feel like it should work, but it does. I’m used to seeing The Hallé playing Rachmaninoff so this feels very different to an average concert.
"Welcome to the Royal Concert Hall. It's the beginning of the Bank Holiday," says Stephen Bell. "If you're ready to party you've come to the right place."
The concert opens with a bang with Disco Inferno by The Trammps. It's big, bold and brassy. Bell introduces the four vocalists for the evening Lance Ellington, Annie Skates, Hazel Fernandes and Andrew Playfoot who all being great energy to the proceedings. Dressed for the occasion, they take turns as lead vocalist with the others providing backing vocals and it works really well.
Disco classics in this setting feel weird, but wonderful, but The Hallé bring their usual orchestral weight and discipline, just with an extra touch of mischief added in. Love Is In The Air by Paul Young feels especially special with the orchestra, the strings adding a surprising amount of warmth.
And this isn’t the Beethoven audience that have turned up to sit quietly and politely, it’s a slightly younger, somewhat more dynamic, and less reserved audience. By the time the Earth, Wind and Fire medley arrives, people are really getting into the groove and out of their seats to dance and clap along with the music.
Cello and violin strings get a work out on some club grooves and the brass sections punch out some unexpected riffs. Likewise the percussion section does a lot of good work too providing the beat and basslines of these disco numbers. Especially the drummer who has been promoted to centre stage for tonight only along with other additional instruments for this special performance including a superb saxophonist.
you’re in the presence of world class musicians
Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton is another early hit, but every song is recognisable even for the casual fan and the disco grooves arrive thick and fast.
Sister Sledge’s We Are Family gets one of the biggest audience reactions of the first half, while You’re the First, the Last, My Everything by Barry White sounds absolutely brilliant with full orchestral backing. That’s The Way (I Like It) by KC and the Sunshine Band is also really fun.
Tracks have been ripped up and rearranged for the orchestra but even in this form it's striking how little they lose and in fact how much they gain. Le Freak by Chic sounds fantastic and the audience really enjoy it. And this is not a novelty act. You know that when you see The Hallé you’re in the presence of world class musicians, very serious about their craft, but tonight they are just having a bit of extra fun.
The Bee Gees medley is also a big audience pleaser. It’s interesting to watch how many people are getting up and dancing. This really isn't the normal Hallé audience. Or maybe it is, they've just been set free by the disco grooves!
As the show moves into its final stretch several huge numbers including I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor and YMCA by Village People make sure that everyone is happy.
It’s been fast and furious, it’s been uplifting and joyful. It’s not really something you ever expect to experience, but it’s clear from this evening's performance that disco and classical music can live together in the same space and really work.
It’s been hinted at by the use of the Vitamin String Quartet in Bridgerton but this is the full experience, live, and it’s truly joyful.
The Hallé performed at the Royal Concert Hall on Friday 22 May 2026.
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