Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ choir celebrates 20 years with ‘20 tiny gigs’
Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ choir Out Aloud has celebrated its 20th anniversary with ‘20 tiny gigs’ across the city centre.
This special occasion was just one in a series of performances and events planned in 2026 to celebrate the choir’s legacy and connection to the city.
The ‘20 tiny gigs’ event saw the choir perform 20 free mini concerts in one day - one for each year of Out Aloud. The event offered an opportunity for the choir to celebrate its history and legacy in the city.
The choir’s schedule on the day took in locations throughout the city, beginning at Sheffield Bus Station at 10.20 am. The event included performances at Sheffield Train Station, Sheffield Cathedral, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Weston Park Museum, Henderson’s Relish and even on a tram.
Out Aloud is a community choir with members from varying life experiences that are brought together by a love of song. Together they sing to be seen, to make their voices heard in the community, and to bring joy. From pop songs and protest anthems to local classics, Out Aloud's catalogue is as varied as its members.
On Wednesday, 20 September 2006, the choir’s very first rehearsal took place, almost 20 years ago. In that time, the choir has grown and changed, but still meets each Wednesday to lift their voices and socialise.
The 76-strong choir is led by their brilliant Musical Director, Val Regan, and in its 20 years, has performed at choir festivals across Europe, been part of Sheffield’s Pride celebrations, and become a long-standing part of Sheffield's Christmas calendar with its annual concert in the Winter Gardens.
Out Aloud has sung at Gay Pride in Paris, and with fellow LGBTQ+ choirs, the Pink Singers and Rainbow Voices Mumbai, at the Cadogan Hall in London. The choir also sings at local Pride events, at Trans Day of Remembrance, the city’s Holocaust memorial event, and the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
The choir went further afield this year in June, singing at the International Queer Choir Festival, Various Voices. This year’s festival took place in Brussels from 24-28 June and saw 120 choirs, made up of 4,000 singers, come together to celebrate their pride and raise their voices.
Later in the year, Out Aloud’s anniversary year will culminate in a concert at Firth Hall on Saturday 14 November. The event will see the choir return to the stage for a formal performance, celebrating the community they have built in the last 20 years.
Through changing political climates and difficult times for the LGBTQ+ community, Out Aloud has continued to sing, be present, and share songs of love, resilience, joy, and hope.
‘20 tiny gigs’ was just one part of the choir's 20th anniversary celebrations, and provided a wonderful opportunity for the choir to sing to more people than ever before.