June Must-See: Boston Pops’ Gospel Night

Photograph courtesy of Boston Symphony Orchestra

Now in its 24th year, one of the most popular concerts of the Boston Pops season has been Gospel Night, which features some of the biggest stars in holy soul music. In June, conductor Charles Floyd welcomes a particularly stellar special guest: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love. “In addition to her musical accomplishments, she remains an inspiration to so many singers, from Bette Midler to Toni Braxton,” Floyd says. “That kind of influence deserves to be celebrated.” And Love, who grew up singing gospel music, is excited to get back to her roots. “This is who I am, really,” she says.

Citing gospel’s far-flung influence on everything from country and western to Kanye West, Love doesn’t make much distinction between pop and gospel: “All it is, is changing words. Instead of singing to the Lord, they’re singing to the people.”

June 11, Symphony Hall, 888-266-1200, bostonpops.org.

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