ABBA & Queen by Candlelight — Protea String Quartet
️ Tickets: R475–R890
⏰ Duration: 60 minutes
Venue: NH Hotel, Sandton
Presented by Fever (www.feverup.com)

There’s been no escaping the glossy, romantic allure of Candlelight Concerts on social media lately—those sweeping videos of glowing venues, flickering candles, and classical musicians reimagining pop legends in grand spaces. It’s all very Instagrammable, and I’ll admit, I was intrigued.

So I booked. The promise? A classical tribute to ABBA and Queen by the Protea String Quartet. The reality? A beautifully marketed experience that didn’t quite live up to its own hype.

The Setting: A Tale of Two Rooms

Walking into the NH Hotel Sandton feels like you’ve arrived at something premium. The foyer is vast and grand—gleaming floors, opulent light fixtures, and a bar offering hot drinks, wine, and snacks (at a markup, naturally).

But once inside the performance room, the mood shifts. Despite what you’ve seen online, this wasn’t an architectural marvel dripping in candles. It was, quite plainly, a conference room. Think: corporate offsite, maybe a wedding reception. The musicians performed on a small centre stage surrounded by electric candles, and while the mood lighting was a nice touch, it was nowhere near the level shown in promo materials.

It wasn’t bad—just underwhelming.

Candlelight Concert setup at NH Hotel Sandton showing a central stage surrounded by LED candles, with audience members seated around the room.

The Vibe: Strictly No Fun (Until the Last 10 Minutes)

From the outset, the ushers made it very clear that rules were not to be broken. No photos, no videos (until the final 10 minutes), no standing, no leaving your seat. The effect? A strangely tense, overly strict energy that made us all feel more like school kids on a field trip than guests out for a night of music.

This heavy-handed approach was especially jarring given the casual, joyful energy associated with ABBA and Queen. By the time we were told we could take photos and sing along, the vibe had already been subdued. Only a handful of people participated, and the moment felt awkward rather than electric.

The Music: Beautifully Played, Awkwardly Presented

Now let me say this: the Protea String Quartet is very talented. Every note was pitch perfect, and hearing “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Dancing Queen” played on strings is, truly, a treat.

But here’s the thing—the talking bits in between songs brought the energy to a grinding halt. Each musician took a turn reading a short script introducing the next track. While well-meaning, the intros felt like they’d been lifted from a Wikipedia article—factual, but flat. Their discomfort with public speaking was evident, and it dulled what could’ve been a really dynamic experience.

What the show desperately needed was a host—someone engaging and enthusiastic to build the atmosphere, guide the audience, and elevate the night beyond just “pretty music in a pretty room.”

Protea String Quartet performing on a candlelit stage in the centre of a conference room, with audience members seated on all sides at the Candlelight Concert in Sandton.

Was It Worth It?

That depends.

If you go in expecting the same experience you’ve seen in Candlelight’s ads, you’re bound to be disappointed. The photos and videos are heavily stylised, and unless your venue is one of their showpiece locations, you’re likely to get a much simpler setup.

At R475 to R890 for a one-hour show in a conference room, it felt expensive—especially when you consider alternatives like Swingin’ Las Vegas at Montecasino, which offers a full-scale production, a longer runtime, and a far more engaging atmosphere for a similar price.

Still, it was a lovely experience in many ways. The string arrangements were gorgeous, the venue staff were polite (albeit stiff), and it’s always a joy to support live music. But would I go again? Probably not. There are better ways to spend your entertainment budget right now.

If You’re Going, Here Are My Tips:

  • Arrive early – seats are unassigned and work on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Prepare to spend – drinks and snacks are available but pricey.
  • Choose premium seats if possible – the view from standard seating is poor due to flat ground seating.
  • Obey the no-photo rule – the ushers are serious about it.
  • Please turn your flash off – for the love of all things sacred and candlelit.

Final Thoughts

Candlelight Concerts are a great concept, but the execution—at least at NH Hotel Sandton—left me feeling a little cold. If you’re going, just adjust your expectations: you’re getting a sweet, simple show with lovely music, not the opulent candlelit fantasy you’ve seen on your feed.

If that’s enough for you, great! If you’re expecting something grand and unforgettable, you might want to look elsewhere.

️ Explore upcoming themes and venues at fever.com. And support local musicians whenever you can—they’re worth it.