Gavin Bryars: Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet

Repertoire

    Gavin Bryars Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet

Performers

  • London Philharmonic Orchestra

Hear the London Philharmonic Orchestra perform Bryars’s iconic work centred on a real-life recording of an anonymous homeless man singing in the streets of Waterloo.

With St John’s Church creatively lit to reflect the music, this immersive performance will demonstrate to the extreme, the emotional power of music and its ability to speak to the soul. As the world today grapples with many deep challenges and instability, we hope this performance will send out a message of strength and hope to all.

First performed almost exactly 50 years ago, and nominated for a Mercury Prize in 1993, Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet is described by Bryars as ‘an eloquent, but understated testimony’ to the homeless man, and to ‘his spirit and optimism’. This performance takes place in the week of Bryars’s 80th birthday and we are delighted that he will introduce this work from the stage. A visceral one-time experience not to be missed.

This concert is being presented in partnership with St John’s Waterloo, known for its campaigning commitment to social justice and its history of work with the homeless. 

Wed 11 Jan 2023, 6.30pm

St John's Church, Waterloo

Tickets £12 - £15

Download the free programme sheet

Just announced

Due to popular demand of our 6.30pm concert, we’re delighted to present a second performance of Gavin Bryars’s iconic work at 8pm. Find tickets here.

Generously supported by TIOC Foundation

Post-concert talk and audience Q&A with Gavin Bryars

A panel discussion with Gavin Bryars and other contributors around the topical issues brought to the fore through Jesus’ Blood will take place after the concert with opportunities for audience Q&As.

Please note there will be a retiring collection at the end of the performance in aid of two charities working closely with St John’s to serve the homeless: Accumulate – The Art School for Homeless People and Robes.

St John's Church at Waterloo

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