Seven Worlds, One Planet – LIVE in concert: Review

When Seven Worlds, One Planet – the seven part documentary series from the BBC Natural History Unit narrated by David Attenborough – debuted in 2019, its breathtaking filming of animal behaviour and natural scenery across the seven continents was the pinnacle of Natural History cinematography. There were plenty of standout moments featuring creatures big and small. Who could forget the incredible drone footage of Humpback Whales feasting on krill in Antarctica, or the mating rituals of the tiny Jotus spiders in Australia?

Imagine then the absolute luxury of watching these incredible scenes unfold in front of you on a giant state of the art 4K Ultra HD LED screen… with a live orchestra and choir to deliver the highly emotive musical score by Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer and Jacob Shea for Bleeding Fingers Music, to accompany the outstanding imagery.

Last week, the highly anticipated UK concert premiere of the Seven Worlds, One Planet came to The O2 Arena in London for one incredible night only. This rescheduled date (previously planned for December 2021 but postponed due to the pandemic) was ably hosted by BAFTA winning British explorer, Naturalist and TV presenter, Steve Backshall, accompanied by the very best hand picked musicians that make up the specially created Seven Worlds Symphony Orchestra & Choir, conducted by Matthew Freeman.

As you watch the series on television, it’s easy to let the musical score drift into the background but when you hear it played live by an orchestra, the music completely takes on a life of its own. This is not merely a support act. The bass and the heavy percussion pounding in your chest brings a whole new level of drama to pivotal edge of your seat moments such as hunting scenes. The staccato woodwind section beautifully mimicking the dancing and frivolity of quick stepping birds and insects.

There were so many exceptional moments where the talented musicians and singers took you away with the moment, deftly increasing the emotional intensity of the film sequences.

The scene in which the tiny albatross chick desperately tries to get back up into its nest, having been almost swept away in a storm, whilst its parent sits imperiously above, was a heartbreaking and incredibly anxious heart-in-mouth moment, made all the more intense by the attacking percussion. The palpable relief, matched with soaring strings, as the fluffy chick was safely returned below its Mother’s belly was immense… and a huge collective sigh went around the auditorium. This was an experience all the more powerful for being shared. We had all been through the emotional wringer for four minutes. We needed some light relief and moments such as the hilarious chubby-cheeked hamsters in Austria – accompanied by jaunty strings and woodwind – provided just that.

At first it was easy to miss the narration of the wonderful soothing tones of David Attenborough alongside the imagery, but this allowed the music to take on a greater importance. Steve Backshall’s introductions to the individual film clips were spot on, giving enough information to set the scene and allowing the viewer / listener to be carried away in the moment of the film, uninterrupted.

By far the most memorable moment of the night was when the incredibly talented solo vocalist Michelle John gave a spellbinding performance of the song “Out There” – a unique collaboration between multi-award winning Sia, Chris Braide and Hans Zimmer for the television series. Michelle John, a top flight singer, writer and vocal coach who became known to those outside of the music industry as a finalist in The Voice UK in 2017,  has one of the most exceptional voices I have heard… and as the compilation of highlights from the whole series played in full cinematic beauty behind her, this was the moment of the night that really took your breath away.

Over 1,500 people worked on the Seven Worlds, One Planet series, which was filmed over 1,794 days, with 92 shoots across 41 countries. Many of the film makers were in attendance at the live concert and as a celebration of their work, this absolutely hit the mark. As a celebration of the incredible power and beauty of Mother Nature, this concert excelled.

No-one who left the O2 last Thursday was left in any doubt of the dual magnificence and fragility of our natural world and the absolute necessity that we all need to step up and protect it. As Steve Backshall said at in his final words of the night – “We’re all in this together.” Before it’s too late…