SING! Toronto A Cappella Festival Director Pat Silver shares her a cappella choices for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe
No instrument – no problem
A cappella is back at Edinburgh Fringe – and it is aca-awesome
From international touring headliners to young collegiate artists, they have one thing in common – a love of the human voice, alone, no instruments, no backline, just pure harmony.
Since the 1940s, music fans have embraced the smooth harmonies that singers deliver with panache. A cappella has experienced a real resurgence with the SING! Off TV series and the Pitch Perfect movies about collegiate a cappella competition. Supergroup Pentatonix parlayed top honours at the SING! Off TV show into a massive following, with literally billions of views on YouTube, Grammy awards, and tens of thousands attending their stadium shows.
Edinburgh Fringe audiences can experience that thrill without the hefty stadium ticket prices. Most but not all of the a cappella groups are from the UK. They all bring a variety of ideas and approaches to the genre. Musical styles include pop, beatbox, jazz, and barbershop. Groups range from teens to university groups to full time professionals.
The commonality is their ingenuity and singing skills (unaccompanied singing is uber difficult). For small ensembles, harmonizing the pitch, stylings, and balance are critical. For larger groups, it is the blend, and, of course, singing together in tune. The young groups tend to construct a theme to the show, then fit in the songs around the theme. The pros will sometimes incorporate themes but mostly they just blow you away with experienced, polished performances.
Here are some of the groups on my radar.
The Emerging Artists
Squad Harmonix. The youngest of the groups is a Los Angeles’ professional teen contemporary competitive a cappella performance group. They are led by British singer/songwriter Laura Saggers. With over 1 million views on their Youtube page, they are venturing to Edinburgh for their first Fringe, with a concert theme of an a cappella showdown game show. Greenside Riddles Court, Willow Studio, August 4 – 7. 15:05
On Board A Cappella. Hailing from Durham University is the Durham Dynamics, a fully-led student group. They’re jumping on a virtual bus as the characters in the show take the audience on a journey through tunes from Kate Bush to Bruno Mars. TheSpace @ Niddry Street – Lower Theatre August 5-10 18:10
The Competitors
Many of the uni groups spend their year carefully preparing presentations for the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA), the gold standard of a cappella competitions. Think “Pitch Perfect” movies, where they fiercely vie for international bragging rights. Some of those finalists and winners are part of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
The A Cappella Xperience, The Bristol Suspensions won the ICCAs in 2021. Celebrating their 10th year, this ensemble from the University of Bristol paints a musical picture of their artistic journey to the championship. And they have a very nice nod from Deke Sharon, the arranger for the Pitch Perfect movies. Expect a slick presentation. Gilded Balloon, Patterhoose, The Big Yin, August 12-24, 14:00
Aquapella From the University of Bath, this 14-voice mixed ensemble is back for their eighth year at Edinburgh Fringe. “This is the event that our group most looks forward to as we get to do what we love for 10 whole days.” With ten new songs, ranging from slow ballads to crowd pleasers, the show is an eclectic mix. They recently competed at the ICCA Finals in New York City as Wildcard Champions. Gilded Balloon Patter House, August 14-24, 1300
Sing It! Northern Lights from Retro to Remix. Back to back ICCA UK Champions Northern Lights from Durham University returns to Edinburgh Fringe with a new show consisting of favourite hits from the 50s to the 2010s. The 14 singers cover tunes by Elvis, Queen, Whitney Houston, Adele and more, with powerful vocals and effective stage choreography. Gilded Balloon Doonstairs, July 31- August 13, 13:00
Aca-Ballad of a Uni Student. Ten-voice group Steelworks from University of Sheffield were ICCA finalists. They are promising a fun musical romp through university life, complete with dramatic choreography and complex vocal arrangements. theSpace @ Niddry Street, August 19 – 24, 14:35
The Techtonics: 44 Days of Liz Truss. In 2016 this ensemble became the only non-American group to win the ICCAs. In under an hour, these impressive singers from the all-male a cappella group of nerds from Imperial College London will tell the story of the rollercoaster ride of Liz Truss’ time as Prime Minister. Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose, August12-26, 11:30
Cadenza. This mixed voice group from Cambridge University was founded in 1997. In 2016 they won an award for Outstanding Musicality and reached the semi-finals of the ICCAs. Depicting a day at Cambridge, their set features show-stoppers and chart-toppers from club to classical with spicy pop and jazz arrangements. theSpace @ Niddry Street Upper, August 19 – 24, 14:20
The Pros
Warped: Singing in the Mirror. Perfect Forth brings together 14 experienced and talented vocalists from across Edinburgh and beyond, including award-winning soloists and musical theatre artists. The show has a theme of self-reflection. It is billed as a perfect collision of multiple genres that is less explored in a cappella. theSpace@Surgeon’s Hall, Grand Theatre, August 19 – 24, 14:25
The Beatbox Collective: What’s Your Sound? The Beatbox Collective is comprised of World Champions in their field: Bass6, Ball-Zee, Hobbit & MC Zani. It would be enough if they simply demonstrated their prowess at making mind-blowing sounds with just their voices. But these four are entertainers and know how to engage and delight an audience. It is an unforgettable experience. George Square Studios, Studio Three, July 30 – August 11, 18:15
01_Algorhythm.mp3. Algorhythm is a group of 10 beatboxers from around the UK who produce slick arrangements presented with lots of personality. theSpace @Niddry Street, Aug 19-24, 17:40
The Magnets: Legends. An Edinburgh Fringe staple for 20 seasons, this five-member UK touring ensemble sings their way through hits from Queen, The Beatles, AC/DC, Ray Charles, Seal, The Spice Girls and more. They combine impressive vocal percussion with strong harmonies in a highly entertaining show that has the audience on their feet and cheering by the end of the performance. Underbelly, Bristo Square, July 31, August 1 – 13, 19:50
There are more to explore, including:
The Oxford Gargoyles, Gilded Balloon at the Museum, August 18 – 25, 11:45
Oxford Alternotives: A Cappella Off the Rails!, theSpace Triplex, August 2 – 10, 16:05
Trinity A Cappella theSpace @ Niddry St, August 2-4, 15:30,
74th Annual Sunger Games by Academy and Pitch Fight a cappella. theSpace@Niddry Street, August 19-24, 15:35
Brace Yourselves! Full Score Barbershop Choir, theSpace Triplex, August 12-17, 13:35,
Harmonies of Home. Edinburgh Police Choir, Edinburgh New Town Church, , August 16, 19:30
Jinxed, Illuminations A Cappella, theSpace@Niddry Street, August 19-24, 13:35,
One Acchord’s That’s Life in Harmony, August 3, St. Vincent’s, 15:00 and 18:00,
Out of the Blue, Assembly George Square, July 31, August 1-11, 13-26, 14:10
Popstars: The Final Riff Off, The Rolling Tones, theSpace@Niddry Street, August 19-24, 15:15
Sing Me Sunshine! The Falu Miner Chords Chorus (Sweden) with Edinburgh’s Rolling Hills Chorus, St Cuthbert’s Church, August 16 and 17, 14:30 and19:30
Sweets Retreat: An Explosive Battle for the Spotlight!, Sweet Nothings, theSpace@Niddry Street, August 12-17, 18:05
Voices of Lions, Old St. Paul’s Church, August 3 – 7, 14:30
Do take the opportunity to hear the magic of the voice alone. It is impressive. It is inspiring. And the shows can be great fun.
Patricia Silver is the Co-Founder and Co-Manager of SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival, Canada’s premier a cappella festival. She is an award-winning producer, songwriter, and musician who manages several a cappella touring groups (none of whom are in the Fringe this year).
