Coming back to Latitude after 10 years feels incredibly special. I can’t wait to work with a brand-new group of voices and create something extraordinary together. This is truly a one-time-only performance—a celebration of unity, music, and the incredible atmosphere of Latitude. – Gareth Malone, OBE
It’s time to warm up your vocal cords and practice those falsettos, as one of the UK’s most inspirational musical figures, Gareth Malone, will be returning to Latitude after a decade to create a once-in-a-lifetime festival choir! The Latitude choir will be created and rehearsed entirely on-site during the festival weekend with 100 of this year’s attendees, culminating in a breath-taking live performance opening our iconic Obelisk Arena on Sunday; an incredibly special and unrepeatable opportunity for participants and audiences.
Gareth Malone’s previous appearance at Latitude made an indelible mark on festival history. In just three days, he assembled and trained a choir made up entirely of Latitude audience members. The result was one of the most heartwarming and memorable moments the festival has ever seen.
Participants ranged in age, background and musical experience. Among them was a then 14-year-old Amy Davies from Suffolk, who performed in front of thousands while her parents watched proudly from the crowd, and Carrie Fitton, a 57-year-old journalist from Bury St Edmunds, who described the choir as “a complete mixed bag of people from all over the country.”
Speaking to the crowd in 2015, Gareth captured the spirit of the moment: “While you’ve all been sunning yourself and enjoying Latitude, these people from the Latitude audience have been rehearsing and learning their parts. They’re here to entertain you for this 10th anniversary festival, and it’s really quite a special thing, the audience has taken over the stage. I feel incredibly blessed to work with such a great group of people.”
100 singers will be selected. All rehearsals take place live at the festival—there are no pre-festival sessions.
- Thursday 24th July – Initial meeting with Gareth.
- Friday 25th and Saturday 26th July – Full rehearsals in the morning and afternoon.
- Sunday 27th July – Live opening performance on the Obelisk Arena stage.
This is a rare opportunity to share the stage with one of Britain’s most celebrated musical leaders and open Latitude in the coveted Sunday afternoon slot. Gareth Malone OBE is a BAFTA-winning choirmaster, broadcaster and cultural figure who has transformed public perceptions of choral singing. He rose to prominence through his hit BBC series The Choir, which brought community singing to television audiences across the UK and beyond. Gareth has since led acclaimed musical projects including the Military Wives Choir, whose debut single topped the UK charts, and the All Star Choir’s Wake Me Up for BBC Children in Need. In recognition of his services to music and community, he was awarded an OBE in 2012.
Gareth Malone’s return to Latitude after a decade is something we are all eagerly anticipating. His ability to bring people together through music is unparalleled, and we know that this performance will be a highlight of the festival. The opportunity for 100 festival-goers to join him in creating this choir is a rare and unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to see what magic Gareth and the singers will create on stage. – Melvin Benn, Founder and Managing Director of Latitude Festival
To apply to be in the choir, all you have to do is upload a short video or audio clip of yourself singing “Happy Birthday”, and another song of your own choice, plus a little bit about yourself. Good luck!