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Music, worship, theatre and storytelling will take over St George’s Hall on Friday, 23 October, as The Alternate Experience returns to Bradford with its most immersive edition yet.
There is something special about the energy young people bring when faith, music and creativity come together. That is the heart behind The Alternate Experience (TAE), which returns to St George’s Hall, Bradford, on Friday, 23 October 2026.
Organised by Bradford-based youth church The Sanctified, TAE brings young people from Bradford, Yorkshire and beyond together for an evening of live music, worship, theatre, spoken word, storytelling and creative expression.
But this year, the team wants audiences to do more than simply watch.
An experience you become part of: one of the highlights of TAE 2026 will be The Sojourner, an ambitious immersive live stage production that will blur the line between audience and performance.
Exploring identity, grief, pressure, struggle and hope in contemporary Britain, the production will invite members of the audience into the story as it unfolds around them.
TAE Producer Dami Adetomiwa mentioned that this year, they want people to experience TAE rather than simply watch it. The Sojourner is being created so that the audience becomes part of the story. We want people to walk away feeling that they didn’t just see a performance – they experienced something.”
Alongside The Sojourner, the evening will feature live gospel music, worship and ministrations from a range of gospel ministers, with further artists, ministers and performers set to be announced in the lead-up to the event.
The Sun of Righteousness
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This year’s theme, The Sun of Righteousness, comes from Malachi 4:2 and carries a message of hope, healing, restoration and light. Through music, theatre, worship and storytelling, TAE will explore what that message can mean for young people navigating the realities of life today.
Speaking about the experience being created for audiences, TAE Artistic Programmer and Media Lead Mojola Oni said: “TAE is about giving young people the freedom to express their love for God through music, drama, worship and creativity. We want people from different backgrounds to come together, feel welcome and experience something that stays with them long after the night is over.”
As artistic programmer and media lead, Mojola is part of the team shaping the programme, creative experience and the way the story of TAE 2026 is communicated to its audience.
From an idea to a growing Bradford event
TAE has continued to evolve as a platform for young people, emerging creatives and Christian artists. In 2023, Abba’s Love brought together music, film, spoken word, theatre and storytelling, creating a platform for young creatives to share stories of faith, identity and hope.
In 2024, TAE stepped onto the stage at St George’s Hall, expanding its artistic ambition with a programme featuring a 45-minute theatrical production, live music, spoken word and a headline performance from acclaimed singer-songwriter Philippa Hanna.
Now, the team is returning to the venue with even bigger creative ambitions for 2026.
At its heart, however, TAE remains a youth-led gathering created for young people – a place to celebrate creativity and culture, explore faith, encounter the Gospel and connect with others.
With immersive theatre, live gospel music, worship, creative expression and ministry against the backdrop of one of Bradford’s most iconic venues, TAE 2026 is shaping up to be an experience rather than simply another event.
