The D-Day Darlings & BBC Big Band

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Portsmouth Guildhall hosts a spectacular celebration of the wartime and swing era, featuring The D-Day Darlings and BBC Big Band, as part of the Portsmouth100 celebrations.

Britain’s best-loved wartime-inspired vocal group, The D-Day Darlings, join forces with the iconic BBC Big Band, under the musical direction of Barry Forgie, for a sensational live show celebrating the golden greats of the wartime and swing era. Featuring special guest vocalist Randolph Matthews, this glittering concert promises world-class musicianship, nostalgia, and entertainment at its finest.

The D-Day Darlings rose to national acclaim as finalists on Britain’s Got Talent in 2018, going on to sign with Sony Music, achieve a UK Top 5 album and earn a coveted BRIT Certified Breakthrough Award. Led by founder and lead vocalist Katie Ashby, the group has regularly guested across national television and radio and graced stages such as the Royal Albert Hall, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and Birmingham Symphony Hall, among many others.

Accompanying them is the legendary BBC Big Band, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest jazz orchestras. With a rich legacy of performances and collaborations with icons such as Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Michael Bublé, Amy Winehouse, and Van Morrison, the band continues to captivate audiences through BBC broadcasts and sold-out concerts at the UK’s most prestigious venues; including Ronnie Scott’s, Cadogan Hall, and regular appearances at the BBC Proms.

Following their acclaimed 2024 collaboration at Portsmouth Guildhall for a special BBC Radio 2 broadcast hosted by Vernon Kay marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, The Darlings and The BBC Big Band reunite in 2026 as part of the Portsmouth100 celebrations for a truly unforgettable experience.

Expect stirring renditions of beloved wartime classics including ‘We’ll Meet Again’, ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’, and ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’, alongside the timeless swing of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and more. From the poignant anthems of Dame Vera Lynn to the soul-stirring brilliance of Ray Charles, this is a dazzling tribute to the soundtrack of a generation.

The evening also features acclaimed guest artist Randolph Matthews, whose soulful vocals and dynamic stage presence bring a powerful, heartfelt interpretation of the era’s greatest hits, blending the roots of African-American musical heritage with modern artistry.

With a stunning line-up of nine fabulous Darlings, eighteen world-class musicians, Randolph Matthews, and the peerless direction of Barry Forgie, this spectacular show is a high-energy, heartwarming celebration of heritage, harmony, and the enduring power of music.