At the end of June 2026, the LGBTQI+ choir festival Various Voices filled the streets of Brussels with thousands of voices, colourful encounters and irresistible queer joy. As the organising choir, Sing Out Brussels not only helped make this edition of the festival happen, but also took to the stage several times.
Whoever said that writing about music is like dancing about architecture? And what would they make of a report on Various Voices, the LGBTQI+ choir festival that turned Brussels upside down at the end of June 2026?
To truly understand how overwhelming the experience was, you had to be there. But as it is now definitively too late for that, we are delighted to share a few highlights from this unforgettable adventure.
Sing Out Brussels was not only a participant, but also the organising choir for this edition of Various Voices. That meant a small, dedicated team of volunteers worked for years with passion and perseverance on every detail of the festival. Their commitment was tangible: it became an impressive edition, with a programme that gave every participant instant FOMO.
On stage
Anyone hoping to see Sing Out Brussels had plenty of opportunities. As the organising choir, we had the honour of opening the opening ceremony with our version of Pink Pony Club. Singing for so many talented voices in the timeless beauty of Bozar’s Henry LeBoeuf Hall was an incredible thrill. In the days that followed, we also discovered that many participating choirs had their own version of the song in their repertoire. “On the stage in our heels, it’s where we belong!”
That first highlight left us slightly dizzy, but there was little time to recover. The following day, we presented our own full concert: six songs bringing together months of rehearsals. Rhythm changes, harmonies and choreography: everything had to be right. On Thursday 25 June at 1.30 pm, the audience in the Henry LeBoeuf Hall could finally see and hear what Sing Out Brussels is all about.
We opened with an ecstatic Freedom, which immediately shook the room awake. With Dag vreemde man, we introduced a Flemish classic to an international audience. Next came You Are My Sister: instead of the usual soprani–alti–tenor–bass division, this arrangement is written in three parts, where each singer decides for themselves which line they want to sing. It’s the best way to let every voice shine, creating a fragile and intimate moment.
Then Too Young and Love Yourself brought the energy right back up. At “Get up, if you love yourself!”, the entire audience rose from their admittedly very comfortable seats. The crackling Sexual Revolution closed the set with exactly the message we wanted to convey. What a concert.
Brussels sings
The best thing about opening the first concert day? Afterwards, you are free to enjoy the many other choirs without a care in the world. There was so much talent, musical quality and diversity among the LGBTQI+ choirs to discover.
Various Voices was present far beyond the concert halls, too. Choirs flooded the streets of Brussels, recognisable by their colourful badges as they made their way to La Madeleine, the Cirque Royal, Auditorium 490 and The Village. Along the way, you would always come across a street performance by a choir undeterred by the oppressive heat. In the early hours, the night owls headed to C12 for one of the many parties. One thing was clear: for those few days, Brussels was all about singing, encounters and queer joy.
The biggest choir Brussels has heard
The highlight came on Saturday evening at the ING Arena, where all participants gathered. Thousands of singers performed Let Your Heart Be Heard, the anthem composed especially for the festival. More than 4,000 voices formed one extraordinary choir and sent a powerful message of connection. Together, they undoubtedly formed one of the largest choirs ever to resound through Brussels.
Before that grand finale, Sing Out Brussels itself returned to the stage for a powerful rendition of Nina Cried Power. Unique moments came thick and fast throughout Various Voices.
A collective high
To come down gently from the festival’s collective high, the closing ceremony followed on Sunday afternoon. Sing Out Brussels performed a thrilling version of The Power of Love, bringing the festival to a beautiful close together with all the other choirs.
What incredible days they were. Various Voices 2026 was a unique experience for every participating choir, and a tremendous source of pride for Sing Out Brussels. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made it possible!