When Gurt Lush Choir and the Gordano Gorgeous Chorus performed “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” at Colston Hall in 2015, the occasion was deeply local. Yet, this independent recording has found substantial digital reach. Uploaded by Gurtlushchoir on 26 August 2015, the video had recorded nearly 884,000 YouTube views by 10 September 2026. Its longevity remains notable for an independently uploaded community concert recording. Rather than a fleeting internet sensation, the upload serves as an enduring online document of Bristol and North Somerset’s thriving open-access choir culture.
The performance took place during the Best of the West concert on 4 July 2015, documenting a collaboration between Gurt Lush and Gordano Gorgeous. Gordano Gorgeous brought together five local singing groups. These included Portishead Community Choir, Pill Community Choir, Portishead in Harmony, Clevedon A Cappella, and Penny Brohn Community Choir. The resulting performance captures a genuine community occasion, bringing a large number of local voices to a single stage. The main video, below, shows how this collaboration worked in practice.
The collaboration relied on a shared accessible community ethos, welcoming singers from across the region. Wendy Sergeant arranged the number and acted as musical director for the performance, bringing together the North Somerset choirs she led. Neil Johnson is credited on guitar, providing the instrumental drive for the large vocal ensemble. While Sam Burns founded the Gurt Lush Choir and shaped its inclusive approach, he is not credited with directing this specific performance. Instead, the focus remained entirely on the collective vocal strength of the combined groups.
The song choice helps explain the recording’s lasting familiarity. Craig and Charlie Reid wrote and recorded “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” as The Proclaimers, releasing the track in 1988. Following its original UK chart run, the song found later success in the United States. A 2007 Comic Relief version also reached number one in the UK, highlighting the song’s long cultural afterlife. The Music Man readers may well remember how this enduring track captivated audiences worldwide, and the next video, below, offers more insight into the song. Revisit the classic 1988 music video by Scottish twin duo The Proclaimers that inspired this massed choral arrangement.
Beyond the music, the wider Best of the West concert served a broader community purpose. The event was promoted as a celebration of Portishead Community Choir’s tenth anniversary and included a retiring collection for the Penny Brohn Cancer Centre. The recording’s community spirit continues to resonate with online viewers. Reacting to the upload, one user commented, “For the simple joys of singing, and having fun. Loved it..” Another viewer shared their emotional response, writing, “I’m crying!!! This is so beautiful!!! Hugs from the Philippines”.
The historically accurate name for the performance venue is Colston Hall, although the building was renamed Bristol Beacon in 2020. The video firmly anchors the singers in that specific Bristol location and preserves a distinct moment in the region’s community singing culture. Without exaggeration, the recording continues to introduce that local collaboration to a wider online audience. By combining an accessible choral environment with a familiar anthem, the 2015 performance maintains a steady, documented reach that endures years after the final note.