Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul

Proms on TV, 2026
Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul
Royal Albert Hall

Roll over Beethoven, Saturday nights ain't for Elise. No, Sir; for tonight, we have the beat and hip sways of soul music overcoming the BBC Concert Orchestra. A night in tribute to the great Marvin Gaye. For my part, I top up my Hofbrauhaus maß (obtained on the back of my visit to the famed establishment in the summer of 2013) with a litre of Aldi's finest German lager - which is actually very nice. And I'm excited, because I also have a tub of Specially Selected Pretzel Fudge Mini Bites, also from the aforementioned supermarket.

The show opens with I Heard It Through the Grapevine, which, for an opener, is quite a brave choice I think. But it works (how could it not?!)

It is an energetic show, and certainly conducive to a lively Saturday night - much like my snacks and beer. Perhaps my only minor criticism is that the high-octane performances never seem to dissipate. It is 'banger after banger,' as they say, but with no break in the energy. This is maybe due to the way the BBC have welded the performances together, because I also note that there is a quick succession of singers with no introductions etc... the pleasantries have not made the cut. This is not a show to intellectualise, but to revel in the enjoyment of. Which I did.