Held every two years, Cardiff's Festival of Voice is a celebration of the voice in all its forms. It transforms the city with a buzzing mix of one-off events, unique collaborations, community participation projects. Featuring both local and international voices, the biennial festival last took place between Thursday 4 – Sunday 7 November 2021 at Wales Millennium Centre.
Previous editions of the Festival of Voice have been held across multiple cultural venues in Cardiff, something which the organisers might return to in the future. That said, whatever shape or form the festival takes, it always inspires and entertains. As it is not tied to any particular style of music or art form, the festival evolves each year, depending on what excites audiences.
Festival of Voice is about discovery through participation and immersion – about finding voices. Voice is something that transcends culture and language. It’s primal; it brings us together whether we’re happy or melancholy, and we have created the festival as a way of bottling that pure emotion. The artists and audiences are brought together to hear and be heard.
Over the years, the Festival of Voice has brought in huge household names (Patti Smith, Billy Bragg, Gruff Rhys, Elvis Costello, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Van Morrison, Charlotte Church, Arlo Parks, Rufus Wainwright and Hot Chip, to name but a few), as well as lesser known artists and performers with equally impressive outputs.
Alongside aiming to inspire artists and audiences, the festival empowers young people to find creative expression through its Creative Learning programme, which gives them the opportunity to engage with artists and make their own voices heard.
To find out more about the next Festival of Voice or previous editions, visit the official website.
