Choirs across Wales are withdrawing from an upcoming Andrea Bocelli event at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff due to high participation costs. The event, known as The Land of Song Festival, is set for next May and is being promoted as "one of the world's largest shared singing events." It will feature the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli on Saturday, followed by up to 20,000 singers participating in a mass choir performance on Sunday. However, many choirs are pulling out because of steep costs, including a "choir subscription" of £150 and an additional £42 per individual singer. Huw Watkins, a member of the Glynneath Male Voice Choir, explained that the costs made participation unfeasible for his group. For a choir of 20 members, the total cost would have been around £1,000, not including additional expenses such as hiring a coach and accommodation for the trip. Watkins also noted that choirs from outside Wales would have had to cover their own travel and lodging costs. He mentioned that even the purchase of physical music sheets required payment, adding, "Somebody's making a lot of money from this." The Glynneath Male Voice Choir, which planned to send about 20 members, decided against participating due to the high costs. Some new members expressed disappointment at not being able to take part in such a large-scale event. Watkins suggested there is a "good possibility that it might not go ahead" if enough choirs continue to withdraw. About 40 choirs or singing groups have announced on social media that they will not participate in the event. Colin Williams of the Llantrisant Male Choir, which has about 78 members, said his choir had already paid the £150 registration fee but withdrew after learning the additional £42 per member charge. He criticized the lack of communication from the organizers about the music they would perform and the necessary practice. He described the £42 per chorister charge as "unheard of" and called it "massive cheek."