Choirs Withdraw from Festival Over 'Cheeky' Individual Performer Fees
Multiple vocal groups cite prohibitive costs as reason for pulling out of "The Land of Song Festival" at Principality Stadium.
Several choirs are withdrawing from the upcoming "Land of Song Festival" scheduled for May 2027 at Principality Stadium, citing substantial fees for individual singers and a lack of clear communication from organizers. The festival, which aims to be "one of the world's largest shared singing events," features Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli on the first day, with thousands of choristers expected to perform the following day.
Organizers are charging choirs a £150 "choir subscription" fee, in addition to £42 per individual member. This has led to significant costs for groups, with the Glynneath Male Voice Choir estimating a total cost of around £1,000 for approximately 20 members, excluding additional expenses like coach hire. Huw Watkins of the Glynneath Male Voice Choir expressed dismay, stating, "We couldn't get over it - we've never paid anything before to participate." He also noted that the cost of printed music would be an additional expense.
Llantrisant Male Choir, with 78 members, initially paid the registration fee but withdrew when the per-member cost became apparent. Colin Williams of the choir described the £42 charge as "unheard of" and "massive cheek," noting that decades of participation in choirs have never involved paying to perform. He added that while the choir organization cannot commit financially, individual members are not being explicitly prevented from attending.
Reports indicate that around 40 choirs or singing groups have announced their withdrawal on social media. Concerns have been raised about the viability of the event, with Watkins suggesting that "there is a good possibility that it might not go ahead." Both The Land of Song Festival and the Principality Stadium have been approached for comment.