Denmark Festival of Voice returns with new format running across four weekends of June

The Denmark Festival of Voice is returning for its 20th year and this year the program will be spread across a month, with events on every weekend of June.

The festival, which celebrates all things vocal, is starting this long weekend, with artists descending on Denmark from across WA and Australia.

The 2022 edition is taking on a new format, with the line-up spread out across June.

Festival co-ordinator Matt Eastwell said the format aimed to ensure the event could comply with possible COVID restrictions, while also giving music fans a chance to see extended sets from the artists.

Each weekend will be part of a “spotlight series”, with Mr Eastwell programming the four weekends to have a “different feel”.

Kicking off this Saturday, June 4, the first weekend is themed around singer-songwriters featuring performances, songwriting workshops and choirs.

It will feature a variety of acts including the Redtails, Little Row of Housez, Valanga Khoza, Helen Shanahan and Moonbass.

The second weekend will focus on experimental vocal electronica, with Flood the Moon, Sage Pbbbt and Denmark’s Allison Labs taking to the stage, as well as folk singer Craig Sinclair.

The third weekend will feature poetry and storytelling and performances by singer Tracey Barnett and storytellers Melissa Min and Shane Dowling, who will also be hosting workshops.

“All the workshops held alongside the performances by these very talented artists are going to give people an insight into the artists’ process with creating these performances or how they apply their craft,” Mr Eastwell said.

“There’s so much we can learn by going along to these things and checking in with these artists in a slightly different format, and workshops are really valuable for this.”

The final weekend will focus on choirs and “the joy of the voice and the fun of singing”, according to Mr Eastwell, culminating in the “big sing”.

There will be workshops on Saturday and Sunday morning of the fourth weekend, when those wanting to participate in Sunday evening’s “big sing” will learn to sing in three-part harmonies.

For details and tickets, visit denmarkfestivalofvoice.com.au.