The British vocal ensemble VOCES8, the world’s most-streamed classical vocal group, will make its only Australian appearance in 2027 at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) in Cairns.

The eight-member ensemble, winners of the 2026 OPUS Klassik Award and Grammy Award nominees in 2023, has built a global following through performances spanning Renaissance polyphony, contemporary choral works, film music, jazz and crossover repertoire. The group has performed in many of the world’s leading concert halls and amassed millions of online streams.

VOCES8. Photo © Andy Staples

AFCM Artistic Director Jack Liebeck described securing the ensemble as an exclusive Australian engagement as a major win for the festival.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with VOCES8 in concert, on tour, and in recording projects,” Liebeck said. “There is something incredibly special about the combination of the human voice and the violin. It’s a shared musical language, and with VOCES8 it creates something truly unique.

Liebeck said the engagement reflected the festival’s ambition to attract world-class international artists following its move to Cairns.

“It’s exactly the kind of international, world-class artistry that our move to Cairns and the support of our Artistic Director’s Circle and the Queensland Government now makes possible – bringing the world to Far North Queensland and placing this festival firmly on the global stage,” he said.

VOCES8 Artistic Director and countertenor Barnaby Smith said the ensemble was looking forward to making its AFCM debut.

“Australia has always been one of our favourite places to perform because audiences are so open, curious and generous,” Smith said. “To be making our debut at AFCM, and to do so in Tropical North Queensland, feels incredibly special – more so because we are not touring anywhere else in Australia this time around.”

The 2026 edition Australian Festival of Chamber Music takes place in Cairns-Gimuy until 1 August.