Gospel Orchestrated: Lurine Cato, Isaiah Raymond and a 40-piece orchestra in Streatham
This Saturday, 17 October, Streatham Hill Theatre will be filled with massed voices, a live gospel band and a 40-piece orchestra. Brixton Chamber Orchestra presents Gospel Orchestrated, a celebration of joy through generations of gospel, as part of Streatham Festival 2026 and Black History Month.
If you love gospel music in all its forms, from old-school classics to brand new sounds, this is one to put in the diary.
At a glance
Date: Saturday 17 October 2026, 7pm
Venue: Streatham Hill Theatre / Ruach City Church, 110 Streatham Hill, London SW2 4RD
Tickets: from £15
Part of: Streatham Festival 2026 and Black History Month
The line-up
Lurine Cato MBE (headliner)
MOBO Award winner Lurine Cato is one of the UK's leading gospel voices. She has toured with the Lighthouse Family and Kylie Minogue, recorded vocals on Adele's debut album 19, and sung at the London 2012 Olympic celebrations and Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey. In 2020 she was awarded an MBE for services to music and charity.
Isaiah Raymond Dyer (special guest)
Isaiah is the founder of UK gospel group Raymond & Co and worship collective Isaiah-Raymond & Friends. A MOBO Award winner and Dove Award nominee, he has shared stages with Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Kim Burrell and Tye Tribbett.
College of Gospel Choir
Led by founder Lascelles Haughton, one of the UK's leading choir directors and vocal coaches. Founded in 2023, the College of Gospel brings singers together from across the UK to perform and learn the foundations of gospel.
Brixton Chamber Orchestra and gospel band
A 40-piece orchestra led by Artistic Director Matthew O'Keeffe, with bandleader Alden Clarke. Arrangements come from some of the UK's leading gospel names, including Nicky Brown, Ian Oakley and Alex Douglas, alongside BCO's 2026 in-house composer Blasio Kavuma.
What to expect on the night
The evening moves through old-school and classic gospel, contemporary sounds and new music. It explores where the tradition came from, and how gospel, rooted in faith, migration, resistance and joy, has shaped popular music around the world.
There is fresh music too. Four competition winners, Kwasi Effah, Rachel Huggins, Rowlando Morgan and DuBetter, were chosen from dozens of entries this summer. Their original songs will be performed by the full orchestra and choir.
Music that brings people together
Brixton Chamber Orchestra began with a simple idea: live music can give neighbours a reason to meet. Founder Matthew O'Keeffe was living on a Brixton estate when a fatal stabbing nearby brought residents together, and many realised how little they knew one another.
That moment led to BCO's Estates Tours, which take orchestral performances straight onto housing estates across Lambeth and Southwark. Today the orchestra plays everywhere from markets and parks to churches and community centres, across gospel, grime, jazz, disco and classical.
Gospel Orchestrated carries that same spirit into one of the world's great communal traditions. Gospel was made to be shared, and this is a night to share it.
Get your tickets
Tickets start from £15. Book now at brixchamber.com/gigs. Doors open for a 7pm start this Saturday, 17 October, at Streatham Hill Theatre.
We'll be celebrating gospel on air all through Black History Month here on Soul Food Gospel Radio. Come out, bring your church family, and let's fill the theatre with praise.
Press enquiries: Philip Nichols, communications@brixchamber.com