FOV: WORLD’S FIRST HEAVY METAL A CAPPELLA GROUP / DIRECT FROM GERMANY

The Festival of Voices, Australia’s premier celebration of the human voice, will once again transform Hobart into a glorious singing city for ten days this July. The Festival has announced the first major highlight of the 2015 program: international singing sensation and heroes of the European festival circuit, Van Canto will make their Australian debut in a widely anticipated one-night only performance in Hobart on Saturday 11 July.

Blending the thrill and controversy of heavy metal with the melodic seduction of a cappella, this music super group has attracted popular and critical acclaim and enchanted packed stadiums around the world. Unlike any a cappella group before, these German music super-stars must be seen to be believed.

Moving into its eleventh year, Festival of Voices is proud to bring one of the world’s most lauded bands to Australia for the first time.

VAN CANTO are quite simply…unique. The have melded the oldest and simplest form of music, the voice, with hard-wired heavy metal and the result is heart-stopping and instantly infectious. Their vocal talent and ear for harmonies is impeccable and their approach to a cappella seems heaven-sent. Their music is powerful, anthemic and contemporary with a richness and depth that blends the ancient with the modern and sets them apart from their contemporaries.

Five singers, one drummer, no guitars, no bass, no keyboards: expect a truly unbelievable and remarkable metal experience.

VAN CANTO began their careers as a conventional metal band, but their desire to do something more vocal orientated inspired their transformation into the world’s first a cappella metal band.

“When we started Van Canto in 2006 we never thought that singing a cappella would bring us to the other side of the world. We are thrilled to be bringing our sound to Australia and we are sure this will be another highlight in the band’s extraordinary story. We encourage all Festival visitors to come along and experience for themselves our unique sound in this magnificent setting of picturesque Hobart,” said band member Stefan Schmidt.

As well as the one-off concert, the Festival of Voices is delighted to offer a limited number of places to attend a very special artist workshop, providing the chance for singers to work with the music stars on developing their own a cappella talents. Singers of all ages and abilities will have the rare opportunity to work, learn and perform with VAN CANTO over six incredible days of workshop and take part in the one-night only concert for a singing experience that will stay with them forever.

The VAN CANTO concert is the first of many music highlights to be announced in the 2015 Festival of Voices program. The full program will be unveiled in Hobart on 6 May.

Thousands of music lovers will once again descend on Hobart, Tasmania to perform and participate in the 2015 festival. Expect a magnificent 10-day program of performances, community events and – uniquely – workshops run by the artists. A melting pot of music talent, the Festival has developed an international reputation for presenting a stunning line-up of global musicians. Creating a festival experience like no other, they welcome individual singers, choirs and music lovers from across Australia, as Hobart comes to life with the sound of music. Australia’s premier celebration of the human voice, the Festival transforms Hobart into a Singing City.

KEY DATES
Date: Van Canto Concert – Saturday 11 July, 2015
Location: MAC2, Hobart
Van Canto Tickets on Sale: Friday 1 May, 9am
Festival of Voices 2015 Program: Launching Wednesday 6 May, 12noon
Festival of Voices 2015 Tickets: On Sale Wednesday 6 May, 12noon

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