The Flirtations

Festival fans are used to performers taking them across geographical boundaries, but The Flirtations use the original musical instrument -- the human voice -- to also cross sexual orientation boundaries.

'The Flirts', as they're known to their faithful, bill themselves as the world's first, and only, politically active, all-gay a cappella vocal group. Jon Arterton, Jimmy Rutland, and Suede address homophobia, sexism and racism.

Lest the more mainstream audience members pack up before the journey, be prepared for generous amounts of humour and singing talent. And no less a venerable institution than The Los Angeles Times reports that the Flirtations "performed without a whisper of guile or pretense. Upfront and honest, refusing to succumb to pathos or cheap sentiment, they delivered messages that reach well beyond the community they represent."