Aug 2011

The Festival of The Celts
Aug 26 - 29 2011

FRI 26

SAT 27

SUN 28

MON 29

Llinos

Dafydd Iwan

Joe O'Donnell

Sicknote Steve

 

Amy Wadge

Wee Bag Band

Eric Faulkner

 

Sion Rusell Jones

Cheviot Hill 

Lowri Evans

 

John Dignam 

Rusty Shackle

Sons of Warren

 

Hounds of Justice

Jam with roBina

Joe O'Donnell

 

Ffred Jones

Lazarus

Peri

 

 

Llinos

 

Owen Staton - Daily Story Telling

+ many more appearances to be confirmed

Dafydd Iwan DAFYDD IWAN
Dafydd Iwan has been at the forefront of the Welsh music scene since the early 60s, and came to prominence through his patriotic songs and his leading role in the Welsh language campaigns of the 60s and 70s. He was one of the founders of SAIN record company, which now employs 40 people in the Caernarfon area, and which sells the music of Wales to all corners of the world. He has been a regular singer-composer since 1962, with 18 albums to his credit, plus videos and aDVD of his live performances, with his own Band and with folk-group Ar Log. He has composed over 200 songs, and has published several volumes of songs and two autobiographies. 


http://www.sainwales.com/en/artists/dafydd-iwan

Joe O'Donnell Joe O'Donnell's Shkayla
Joe O'Donnell is one of the finest electric violin players performing in the Celtic tradition. He's also widely acclaimed as a first-class mandolin-player, singer and composer. The captivating sound of Joe O'Donnell's Shkayla brings together the spirit of Celtic tradition and the dynamic grooves of modern rock and jazz. Limerick-born Joe’s career has previously included work with former Steeleye Span members, Terry and Gay Woods, dynamic fiddle-driven rock band East Of Eden and the late, great Irish bluesman Rory Gallagher. Singing songs in English and Gaelic and playing soaring fiddle melodies and improvisations, Joe is accompanied by a team of first-class musicians who really understand and do justice to the dynamic spirit of Celtic and rock music.
http://www.joe-odonnell.com

Eric Faulkner Eric Faulkner
Although perhaps best known as lead guitarist and songwriter with seventies supergroup The Bay City Rollers, Eric’s talents really come to the fore in his solo acoustic shows.  He connects with his audience and takes them with him on his journey through traditional material, some Celtic fiddle music, self-penned songs with tales that weave a magic of their own, virtuoso guitar playing, funny stories and a self deprecating take on the old Rollers material.
A self-confessed “blether”, Eric’s shows are entertaining and informative as well as musically superb. He is in worldwide demand with regular appearances in mainland Europe. Recent festival slots have included Fèis Ile Festival, Guilfest, Glastonbury and Acoustic Festival of Great Britain.
www.ericfaulkner.co.uk/

Amy WadgeAmy Wadge
A powerful singer/songwriter and actress from South Wales; an emotional rollercoaster. A gutsy performer with a voice that is "tough but tender", let Amy's gentle vocals and hushed guitar melodies take you away. Twice winner of the Best Solo Female Artist title at the Welsh Music Awards (ahead of Charlotte Church in 2002 and Cerys Matthews in 2003), Amy was also chosen by the BBC to launch 6 Music, along with Lenny Kravitz, Pete Yorne, The Sterophonics and Embrace.Amy has continued recording (see Music page) and touring ever since (see Gigs page), singing the length and breadth of the UK and playing at many prestigeous UK festivals including Cropredy, Hay Literary Festival, Larmer Tree Festival and Glastonbury. She has also toured in Asia, Russia, Europe and the States.
http://www.amywadge.com/


Sicknote Steve Sicknote Steve
Sicknote Steve recreates the authentic sound of the original hobo bluesman. No technical trickery here -the authentic guitar paying skills and vocals of Sicknote Steve invoke the atmosphere of the Mississippi Delta as he slides and stomps his way through the Seasick songbook.
To audiences in the South West and Wales, the familiar bearded figure of hobo bluesman Sicknote Steve has become synonomous with a a great session of the blues. bringing with him the music of Grammy Award winning Seasick Steve.
A great hit at both our Easter Blues Festival and The Acoustic Festival of Britain. .

www.talismansounds.com/sicknotesteve


Lowri EvansLowri Evans
Singer songwriter performs a blend of blues, contemporary folk and pop in both Welsh & English with a confidence that belies her tender years. She has one of the most unique voices, warm and expressive, her vocal range acts as another instrument that captures the listener and leaves them wanting more.
Lowri has the unique ability to sound very traditionally Welsh and blend into an English song effortlessly which will take a audience on the magnificent journey with her. Her albums include "Clyw Sibrydion," "Kick the Sand," "Dim Da Maria," "Disgleirio," and "Any Other Day."


http://www.lowrievansofficial.co.uk/


Cheviot HillCheviot Hill
Cheviot Hill formed as a 6 piece Soul/Folk/Country band over a two years ago, and have been gaining a loyal following ever since. Based in Cardiff, and made up of close friends and family, Cheviot Hill create original, honest music for all ages and walks of life. 2010 saw Cheviot Hill play at most of the top music venues across Cardiff, as well as Raglan Music Festival, The Bell Beer & Cider Festival, The International Food & Drink Festival and Bestival. As well as being crowned winners of the Varsity Battle Of The Bands competition, 2010. “With influences ranging from Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash & Ray Lamontagne, to Jack Johnson and Jeff Buckley, it's easy to see why Cheviot Hill have quickly grown a large fanbase in their hometown of Cardiff.”

http://www.myspace.com/cheviothill


Wee Bag BandWee Bag Band
We are 5 eejits that bring trad, popular and modern toe tappin' diddly, diddly Irish music & songs to pubs, clubs, doos 'n festivals to North Wales, Cheshire, Infinity & beyond.......
Well I suppose you could class our style as "Thrash Paddy meets Jed Clampit". Although primarily an Irish Band playing tunes and ballads made famous by the likes of The Chieftains, The Pogues, The Dubliners etc. there are a lot of tunes that forge a link between the Irish and Blue Grass styles.
The charm of Irish music lies in its ability to appeal to people of all ages, this is an essential part of its spirit and allure. Simply put, it is music that somehow helps us cross the barriers of class, age and ethnicity and makes us feel that we are all in this together.

http://www.weebagband.co.uk


Cheviot HillRusty Shackle
Formed in early 2010 the Shackle create a rustic old time sound that conjures up imagery of Mississippi steam boats, seedy show girls and bar room brawls. Their sound draws influences from Bluegrass, Folk, Celtic and Old time Blues; throwing together guitar, fiddle, banjo, bass, drums and percussion to give the natural ingredients for their contemporary folk music. High energy live performances and boundless enthusiasm make sure you'll leave exhausted with their tunes swimming around your head for days after. The boys have been creating quite a stir on the Welsh music scene with the release of their debut EP 'Hounds of Justice'.

http://rustyshackle.co.uk/


Cheviot HillFfred Jones
Ffred Jones is a rising Welsh singer-songwriter who graduated from Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in 2006 where his fellow students included the likes of Eugene McGuinness and Nancy Elizabeth Cunnlife. Last year he released an EP recorded at Rockfield studios and made a memorable appearance SWN 2008.
Inspired by the likes of Laura Marling, Jack Johnson and the John Butler Trio, Ffred uses intricate guitar picking to create understated but beguiling acoustic melodies.
As well as becoming a regular on the BBC Radio Wales playlist, Ffred has played a number of live radio sets including on the popular Jamie and Louise daytime chat show and also on Alan Thompson’s evening show.

http://www.ffredjones.co.uk/

Jam with roBinaJam with roBina
ProgFolk alt-tuned 4-piece acoustic band from South Wales
Formed in 2006 from the ashes of rock band "The Immigranti", Jam with RoBina started as a songwriting project between Mark Tambini and Romano Marenghi.
The focus was intricate melodies, rhythmic acoustic guitars and solid song structures.
The band released self-produced "Visions of a Runic" in 2007 and followed it with extensive gigging throughout the UK and Italy. During this period the band experimented with their live setup with various band members coming and going.

http://www.myspace.com/jamwithrobina

Sion Russell JonesSion Russell Jones
Singer/songwriter Siôn Russell Jones signed a deal with Welsh label Still Small Voice during his final year at The University of Glamorgan Atrium where he was studying music. In October 2010, 24 year old Siôn released 'And Suddenly' his debut album, which is brimming with intricate guitar lines and luscious vocal harmonies. His music has won him fans at places as diverse as BBC Radio 2, Coronation Street & Eastenders where his music recently featured as background music! Siôn has been playing guitar since he was seven and he is often compared to singer-songwriters Newton Faulkner and Paul Simon.


http://www.sionrusselljones.com/

PeriPeri
PERI are a 5 piece band from Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen in the Swansea Valley. The band is led by vocalist Lisa Pedrick. 'Peri' also features established local musicians, drummer Lyn Rees, guitarist Duncan Leigh, bassist Dan Richards and Dewi Wagstaff on keys. We come from a wide range of musical backgrounds, from pop and rock to folk, jazz and classical. We can perform our original songs in both English and Welsh.


http://www.myspace.com/perigcg


PeriJohn Dignam
John Dignam is a young and exciting acoustic guitarist from South Wales, UK. Since picking up the guitar seven years ago, John has become a successful musician, composer and has performed across the globe. 
John was born in 1989 in the seaside town of Swansea. John has always been extremely passionate about music and performing but it wasn't until the age of fourteen that John picked up his first guitar. Little did John know that a burning passion would develop that would see him go on to perform with his heroes and all over the world.
In 2005 John met his idol, the great Tommy Emmanuel and performed a few pieces for him. Tommy and John stayed in touch and two years later John was invited to share the stage with Tommy at one of his UK concerts. Tommy has been a great friend, support and mentor to John who describes himself as '...a very lucky young man...'.
Over the next few years John continued to write and perform. Some highlights of John's career so far include performances at various top UK festivals such as the London Jazz Festival, Tommy Fest UK, the Mumbles Jazz Festival, Gower Guitar Festival and performed on stage at some of the UK's top venues including the prestigious Colston Hall. But without a doubt, the biggest moment of John's performing career was in the summer of 2010 when John was invited to play at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Annual Convention in Nashville, USA. http://www.johndignam.com/index.html

PeriOwen Staton
The greatest story teller of his generation with his dark Celtic tales


http://www.owenstaton.com/