IF YOU’RE heading to the Roundhouse this weekend for the Kingdom Choir performance as part of the ‘In the Round festival’, you might want to know that founder, Karen Gibson, is just as excited as you.

The sixth edition of the eclectic and diverse festival kicked off on January 15 and has already seen the likes of Emeli Sandé, Richard Dawson and Goat Girl perform, while Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Ségal, with support from Abel Selaocoe, are set the close the show on January 24.

Speaking to the Voice earlier this week, Gibson said Saturday couldn’t come soon enough.

“We are beyond excited about the show on Saturday,” she enthused.

“I feel that it’s such a privilege to be able to do what we love in such a time as this. We will be singing some of our old favourites, as well as bringing new music, including our new single ‘Together Again’.”

The Voice: In the chat with The Voice last December, you said people come up to you and say ’Keep up the great work, we love what you do’. Can you elaborate on how people’s reactions to your work with TKC still takes you by surprise? Do you have any stories that stick in your mind that you could share?

Karen Gibson: It still feels a bit crazy that I can be walking around my local Asda and be stopped by a complete stranger, to be honest. One thing that surprises me is that people speak as if they believe we are doing something important and meaningful. That’s very encouraging because what we do is not just about performance for us, but we hope about positive impact. Our tag line is love, hope and inspiration, so it makes us happy to know that this is what we are bringing.

The Voice: Do you feel like you’re still being inspiring when normal stuff happens, like when you suddenly run out of milk or you miss a train?

Karen Gibson: Haha! No! But this is life, and I am grateful for the everyday! The normal is what I expect. I won’t be inspiring every minute of the day, yet it is an honour that during the course of any given day I can be reminded that somebody has been touched because of what we do. That’s a privilege. 

The Voice: Among all the amazing things that you’ve done over the past few years with The Kingdom Choir, what is the thing you were most proud of?

Karen Gibson: I would say that one of the things that makes me happiest is the UK tour which included a sell-out show at the Royal Albert Hall, and the US tour, which included the opportunity to support Gladys Knight at the Hollywood Bowl. I love travelling the land, singing and meeting new crowds of people. I am always amazed by the opportunity to perform for so many and to be received so warmly. 

The Voice: This might sound silly but… did you enjoy playing at Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding in 2018? What do you remember most from that day?

Karen Gibson: I think it’s fair to say that we loved singing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex! I have often used the term the undreamt dream, because I would never have believed that I would get such an opportunity. The few weeks of preparation for the event went by in a haze of excitement and disbelief, finally culminating in an absolutely magical day. Some of the things that stick out in my mind include the police escort from London to Windsor, the glorious weather, the vision of Megan as she entered the church, the inspirational preaching of Bishop Curry as well as the other beautiful performances during the ceremony, and the fact that our newly refurbished website crashed twice on the day. 

The Voice: What was it like performing for the late great Archbishop Desmond Tutu? When and how did that happen? Did you get to meet him?

Karen Gibson: It was a great honour to be able to perform for the late, great hero that was Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He is known as a courageous world leader, but I remember him as being humble, gracious, celebratory and encouraging. It was a beautiful surprise to receive a lovely thank you note from him after our performance. That really spoke to me of the measure of the man. He epitomised true humility and servant hood. 

The Voice: If you could have a chat with your younger self, would you say? Would you have any words of advice to Ms Karen Gibson in 1994, back when you started The Kingdom Choir?

Karen Gibson: I think I would advise myself to truly understand the power of the music that I was singing/ teaching, and the responsibility that goes with that. I would remind myself that the words of the gospel go much deeper than a pretty melody and that no performance can be just about the music. There is so much more to say, because I used to think that I taught Gospel, but in fact, gospel taught me.

The Voice: When we last chatted to you, you said that 2022 could mean touring the UK and the US. Do you have any more news on that, given that we’re now in a new phase of the pandemic?

Karen Gibson: These are still on the cards, I’m very happy to say, but obviously not for this year. We are currently in talks about a US tour for 2023. We do however, have other exciting things in the pipeline for 2022.

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