Music CERDDORIAETH

THE Festival is delighted to present one of the greatest names in British and world folk music. Barbara Dickson has 17 Platinum and Gold albums to her name plus an Olivier Award for her acting. She appears at Tredegar House Folk Festival with keyboard genius Nick Holland in what promises to be one of the great concerts. Regular festivalgoers and fans will know that Barbara was due to appear with us in 2022 but sadly had to withdraw through illness. Now she’s fighting fit and raring to go. From enduring worldwide hits such as ‘Another Suitcase In Another Hall’, ‘Caravans’ and ‘January, February’ to her thrilling and moving recent work, Barbara is a breathtaking festival performer. Whatever you do with the rest of your year, don’t miss this.  

Rydyn ni’n yn falch o groesawu un o’r perfformwyr gwerin mwyaf adnabyddus Prydain a’r byd i’r ŵyl. Mae gan Barbara Dickson OBE 17 albwm aur a phlatinwm ac hefyd gwobr Olivier am ei gwaith actio. Bydd Barbara yn perfformio yng Ngŵyl Werin Tŷ Tredegar gyda’r athrylith allweddellau Nick Holland mewn cyngerdd sy’n debyg o fod ymhlith goreuon y flwyddyn. Cofia selogion yr ŵyl a dilynwyr Barbara roedd hi i fod gyda ni yn 2022 ond yn anffodus bu raid iddi dynnu’n ôl oherwydd salwch. Yn ogystal â’r ffefrynau byd-enwog ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, ‘Caravans’ a ‘January, February’, cewch glywed ei chaneuon teimladwy a chyffrous diweddarach. Mae Barabara yn artist penigamp. Beth bynnag a wnewch chi am weddill y flwyddyn, peidiwch golli hyn.

ONE of the greatest instrumentalists in world folk, Kathryn Tickell OBE is the undisputed queen of the hauntingly beautiful Northumbrian pipes. Her performances are electrifying, with spellbound audiences in no doubt that they are in the presence of genius. The OBE recognises her extraordinary career which began with learning tunes from old shepherd friends and evolved to cross genres from jazz and world music to large-scale orchestral works. At our festival she will play with her band The Darkening. Expect to be mesmerised.

Ymhlith offerynwyr gorau’r byd gwerin, mae Kathryn Tickell OBE yn frenhines ddiamheuol pibau ysbrydol Northumbria. Trwy ei pherfformiadau syfrdanol mae hi’n amlygu athrylith ei dawn. Cafodd yr OBE i gydnabod ei gyrfa a ddechreuodd pan ddysgodd hi alawon o hen fugeiliau ac esblygodd drwy jazz a cherddoriaeth y byd i weithiau mawr cerddorfaol. Yn ein gŵyl eleni bydd hi’n perfformio gyda’i band Y Darkening. Cewch ddisgwyl perfformiad swynol.

WE’RE proud to welcome back to our main stage one of the towering giants of folk. Phil Beer graced our festival last year as half of Show Of Hands (with Steve Knightley). Their standing ovation echoed across our parkland site. This year Phil appears solo in what will surely be one of the most anticipated gigs of the festival. His charismatic presence commands the stage as he works through an array of stringed instruments with dazzling virtuosity. Or, as Phil himself says: “Plays guitar and fiddle, sings a bit. Sums it up.” Oh no it doesn’t. This is set to be one of the great, unmissable gigs.

Rydyn ni’n falch o groesawu’n ôl i’r prif lwyfan un o gewri’r byd gwerin. Anrhydeddodd Phil Beer ein gŵyl y llynedd fel hanner ‘Show of Hands’ (gyda Steve Knightley). Adleisiodd y cymeradwyaeth ar ôl eu perfformiad ar draws Parc Tredegar. Bydd cynulleidfaoedd yn edrych ymlaen yn eiddgar i weld Phil yn ymddangos ar ben ei hun eleni. Mae presenoldeb cyfareddol Phil yn llenwi’r llwyfan wrth iddo weithio’n grefftus trwy gyfres o offerynau llinynol. Mae’r dyn ei hun yn esbonio yn ddiymhongar: “Dwi’n canu’r gitâr a’r ffidil; canu dipyn. Dyna fe”. Dim o gwbwl! Mae hon yn siwr o fod yn un o’r gigiau gorau na ddylid ei cholli.

IF you’ve already been lucky enough to be part of a Merry Hell concert, you’ll know how excited we are. If you haven’t experienced the rush yet, you’re in for a treat. This multi-award winning band offer joyful, uplifting folk-rock, with a message for troubled times. Their astonishing live shows have won an army of admirers: “every performance a celebration” says review after review. They’re the holders of Folking.com’s Best Live Band Award, and their latest album Emergency Lullabies has won them rave plaudits. “They’d grace any festival in the land,” says Folk Radio. “I can’t see how any audience could fail to resist.” Nor can we. As the world around us goes to hell in a handcart, prepare to feel the sun on your face and joy in your heart. From their huge back catalogue we’ve chosen Bury Me Naked. If you aren’t swaying along, you may want to get a close relative to check your pulse.

Mae’r sawl sydd wedi bod mor ffodus i fynychu cyngerdd Merry Hell yn cofio’r wefr yn dda. Os nad ydych chi wedi profi hyn eto, fe gewch chi’ch swyno. Mae’r band aml-wobrwyol hwn yn cyflwyno roc-gwerin llawen a dyrchafol, gyda neges am amserau cythryblus. Maen nhw wedi ennill llu o ddilynwyr selog trwy eu sioeau syfrdanol: “pob perfformiad yn ddathliad” medd un arolwg ar ôl y llall. Nhw sydd biau gwobr Band Byw Gorau Folking.com a derbyniant arolygon brwd iawn am eu halbwm diweddaraf ‘Emergency Lullabies’. “They’d grace any festival in the land” medd Folk Radio ac “I can’t see how any audience could resist”. Wrth wrando arnynt cewch ddisgwyl synhwyro gwres yr haul ar eich wyneb a llawenydd yn eich calon. O’u hôl-gatalog rydyn ni wedi dewis ‘Bury Me Naked’. Os na ddawnsiwch i hon, gofynnwch i gyfaill wirio eich bod chi dal yn fyw!

In the 50s and 60s Ewan MacColl, Charles Parker and Peggy Seeger created the groundbreaking Radio Ballads broadcasts for the BBC Home Service. Almost half a century later, in 2006, a new set of Radio Ballads was commissioned by BBC Radio 2 using the same format but involving a team of stellar folk musicians, singers and songwriters. Now three members of that team, Bob Fox, Jez Lowe and Julie Matthews, have put together a selection of songs from the 2006 Radio Ballads for a concert performance: In The Footsteps Of Ewan MacColl. We’re proud and privileged to have this trio of all-time greats on our festival stage.

Yn y 50au a 60au creodd Ewan McColl, Charles Parker a Peggy Seeger ddarllediadau arloesol ‘Radio Ballads’ i Wasanaeth Cartref y BBC. Bron i hanner canrif yn ddiweddarach, yn 2006 comisiynodd Radio 2 gyfres newydd yn yr un fformat gyda chriw newydd o gerddorion, cantorion ac awduron penigamp. Mae tri aelod o’r tîm hwnnw, Bob Fox, Jez Lowe a Julie Matthews wedi creu cyngerdd o ganeuon o’r gyfres wreiddiol dan yr enw ‘In The Footsteps Of Ewan MacColl’. Mae’n fraint ac anrhydedd i ni lwyfannu’r triawd anfarwol hwn.

PIN back your buccaneers me hearties, Blackbeard’s Tea Party are coming in fast off the starboard bow. You’ve never heard sea shanties sung like this. Two drummers, electric guitars, fiddle, melodeon and four-part harmonies combine to create music drenched in tradition, but filtered through a kaleidoscope of modern rock and pop. Gaining fans with every festival, Blackbeard’s Tea Party have played memorable sets at Glastonbury, Cambridge, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, The Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo and many more. This is their first time at Tredegar House and we can’t wait.

Agorwch eich clustiau: mae Blackbeard’s Tea Party yn agosáu. Fyddwch chi byth wedi clywed caneuon morwrol wedi’u perfformio fel hyn. Mae dau ddrymiwr, gitarau trydanol, ffidil, mandolin a chytseiniau pedair rhan yn cyfuno i greu cerddoriaeth wedi’i throchi mewn traddodiad trwy lens pop a roc modern. Mae’r band wedi ennill dilynwyr di-rif gyda’u perfformiadau cofiadwy mewn gwyliau megis Glastonbury, Caergrawnt, Cropredy (gyda Fairport Convention) a Gŵyl Gerdd y Byd yn Borneo. Dyma’u perfformiad cyntaf yn Nhŷ Tredegar ac rydyn ni’n edrych ymlaen yn eiddgar.

Of all our brilliant acts over the weekend, we confidently predict this gig will live longest in the memory. John Kelly made such a huge impression on our audience in 2022 that we simply had to invite him back. He is warm, funny, utterly inspirational and passionate.His stunning songwriting sits alongside that of his heroes and peers, a fusion of the conviction of Woody Guthrie, the fire of Billy Bragg and the imaginative storytelling of Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Don’t miss this. Meanwhile, catch the magic here…

O bawb fydd yn perfformio yn yr ŵyl, gallwn ragweld bydd y gyngerdd hon yn byw hiraf yn y cof. Wnaeth John Kelly argraff mor ddwfn ar y gynulleidfa yn 2002 roedd raid i ni estyn gwahoddiad iddo ddychwelyd. Mae e’n dwymgalon, doniol, angerddol ac ysbrydoledig. Mae ei ganeuon yn sefyll ochr-yn-ochr â’i arwyr a chyfoedion, cymsgedd o argyhoeddiadau Woody Guthrie, tân Billy Bragg a dychymyg Ian Dury a’r Blockheads. Peidiwch golli hyn! Yn y cyfamser, cewch eich hudo yma…

AMONG the outstanding talents of his generation, harmonica and melodeon player Will Pound has pushed the boundaries of both instruments, sharing awe-inspiring performances across the world. Jenn Butterworth is one of the most notable folk guitarists in the UK, previously awarded Musician of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards, and nominated for the same title at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Together, Will and Jenn are electric, high energy and totally uplifting.

Ymysg talentau aruchel ei genedlaeth, mae Will Pound wedi estyn ffiniau’r harmonica a melodeon, yn creu perfformiadau syfrdanol ar draws y byd. Mae Jenn Butterworth yn gitarydd o fri sydd wedi ennill Cerddor y Flwyddyn yng Ngwobrau Cerddoriaeth Draddodiadol yr Alban ac enwebyd ar gyfer yr un wobr yng Ngwobrau Gwerin Radio 2. Gyda’u gilydd mae Will a Jenn yn drydanol, llawn egni a chwbl ddyrchafol.

Alaw and India Dance Wales had been planning a stunning collaboration for this concert - a meeting of traditions generously supported by Ty Cerdd, promoting and celebrating the music and culture of Wales. Sadly, due to circumstances entirely beyond their control, Alaw have had to withdraw from the festival, but India Dance Wales WILL perform a short set to Alaw’s wonderful recorded music. For more information on Tŷ Cerdd’s brilliant work, please click the link on our ‘SPONSORS’ page.

Roedd Dawns India Cymrun wedi gobeithio cyd-berfformio gydag Alaw yn y gyngerdd hon - dau draddodiad yn cwrdd o dan nawdd hael Tŷ Cerdd, sy’n hybu a dathlu cerddoriaeth a diwylliant Cymru. Yn anffodus, am resymau ty hwnt i’w rheolaeth mae Alaw wedi gorfod tynnu’n ôl o’r ŵyl - ond fe wnaiff Ddawns India Cymru berformio set fach i gyfeiliant cerddoriaeth Alaw sydd wedi’i recordio. Am ragor o wybodaeth ar waith ysblennydd Tŷ Cerdd cliciwch ar y ddolen ar ein tudalen ‘NODDWYR’.

DEWDROPPER are among Britain’s most accomplished folk bands, moving audiences to cheers and tears with their astounding renditions. We are proud to have them open our festival on the Friday night. Eye-popping musicianship and virtuosity underpins the stunning voice of Elaine Morgan, true folk royalty who has sung with the greats including Fairport Convention, Phil Beer and Capercaillie’s Karen Matheson (incidentally, Elaine and Karen shared the Breton vocals as part of the group representing France at the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest…when Gina G represented the UK with her timeless Ooh Aah, Just A Little Bit).

Mae DEWDROPPER yn fand gwerin profiadol dros ben, sy’n cymell cynulleidfaoedd i grïo a bloeddio bob yn ail. Rydyn ni’n ffodus iawn i‘w cael yn agor ein gŵyl ar nos Wener. Mae’r gantores gelfydd Elaine Morgan yn wir frenhines y byd gwerin ac wedi canu gyda’r mawrion fel Fairport Convention, Phil Beer a Karen Matheson (Capercaillie). Gyda llaw, canodd Elaine a Karen yn Llydaweg ar gân Ffrainc yng nghystadleuaeth Eurovision ym 1996 (pryd ganodd Gina G y DU gydag ‘Ooh Aah, Just A Little Bit’).

The legends have landed! The Hennessys are the living, breathing heart of South Wales. Their songs speak of our heritage and their choruses are balm for the soul. In one form or another, they’ve been wowing audiences since 1966. Many of their songs, such as Farewell to the Rhondda, Tiger Bay and Cardiff Born have become anthemic standards (they might even throw in The Grangetown Whale and Billy the Seal). Frank Hennessy, of course, remains the godfather of Welsh Folk with his Sunday BBC radio show Celtic Heartbeat.

Maen nhw ar eu ffordd! Mae’r Hennessys yn ymgorffori ysbryd De Cymru a’u caneuon yn croniclo’n hetifeddiaeth; mae pob cytgan yn cysuro’r enaid. Mewn gwahanol ffurf, maen nhw wedi swyno cynulleidfaoedd ers 1966, ac mae nifer o’u caneuon wedi cyrraedd statws anthemig (er enghraifft, ‘Farewell to the Rhondda’, ‘Tiger Bay’ a ‘Cardiff Born’). Efallai gawn ni’r ‘Grangetown Whale’ a ‘Billy the Seal’, hefyd? Mae Frank Hennessy, wrth gwrs yn dad bedydd Cerddoriaeth Werin Gymreig a chyflwynydd sioe radio Celtic Heartbeat bob nos Sul ar y BBC.

VRï are Jordan Price Williams (cello, voice), Aneirin Jones (violin, voice) and Patrick Rimes (viola, violin, voice). All three - among the towering talents of their generation - are also members of Welsh superband Pendevig. VRï have unearthed long-lost nuggets that shed a new light on a vibrant folk tradition that harnesses the raw energy of the fiddle with the finesse of the violin, the beauty of chamber music with the hwyl of a pub session. Their songs, sung with powerful vocal harmonies, tell stories of the people who struggled 200 years ago, just as many struggle today. VRï’s 2019 debut album ‘Ty Ein Tadau’ (House Of Our Fathers) has become an award-winning classic. Their latest album ‘islais a genir’ (a sung whisper) released in October 2022, is destined to go the same way.

VRï yw Jordan Price Williams (soddgrwth a llais), Aneirin Jones (ffidil a llais) a Patrick Rimes (viola, fidil a llais). Maent i gyd ymhlith talentau aruchel eu cenhedlaeth ac hefyd yn aelodau’r arch-grŵp Cymreig Pendevig. Mae VRï wedi dadorchuddio perlau hir-golledig a rhoi egni newydd i draddodiad gwerin bywiog sy’n cyfuno egni cignoeth y ffidil a chywreinrwydd y fiolin, a harddwch cerddoriaeth siambr gyda hwyl sesiwn dafarn. Mae’r caneuon – gyda lleisiau mewn cytgord grymus - yn dod â brwydrau pobl 200 mlynedd yn ôl yn fyw. Mae albwm cyntaf VRï o 2019, ‘Tŷ Ein Tadau’ yn glasur. Rhyddhawyd eu halbwm diweddaraf, ‘Islais a Genir’ ym mis Hydref 2022, ac wedi cyrraedd yr un safon.

A multiple award winner on both fiddle and concertina, Niamh Ní Charra spent eight years touring the world as a soloist with Riverdance before returning to her native Ireland where she is now based. Her recently released fifth album, Donnelly’s Arm, was crowned Number 1 Trad Album of 2021 by FolkWorld’s Alex Monaghan. Along with touring extensively as a solo artist and with her own band, Niamh (pronounced, of course, Neve) has also performed and recorded with The Chieftains, and Carlos Núñez. She regularly gives workshops and masterclasses on both fiddle and concertina and has performed for several presidents and members of royalty. We are delighted - and very lucky - to welcome Niamh to Tredegar House.

Mae Niamh Ní Charra wedi ennill sawl gwobr ar y ffidil a’r concertina. Treuliodd wyth mlynedd yn teithio’r byd yn cyfeilio i Riverdance cyn dychwelyd i fwy yn Iwerddon. Rhyddhawyd ei phumed albwm, ‘Donnelly’s Arm’ yn ddiweddar ac fe’i ddyfarnwyd yn albwm traddodiadol rhif 1 2021 gan Alex Monaghan o FolkWorld. Yn ogystal â theithio’n helaeth fel unawdwraig a gyda’i band, mae hi wedi perfformio a recordio gyda’r Chieftains a Carlos Núñez. Mae hi’n cynnal gweithdai a gwersi arbennigol am y ffidil a’r concertina ac wedi perfformio i sawl arlywydd ac aelod teulu brenhinol. Rydyn ni’n ffodus iawn i gael croesawu Niamh i Dŷ Tredegar.

Gatehouse base their astounding sound around the traditional west Ireland combination of flute and fiddle. The superb line-up of singer Rachel Garvey, Jacinta McEvoy on guitar and concertina, John McEvoy on fiddle and mandolin and John Wynne on flute and whistles has already enthralled Irish audiences. Now we are delighted to bring their stellar musicianship to South Wales. With two albums (Tús Nua and Heather Down The Moor) under their belts, Gatehouse are unashamedly traditional and play beautiful music which is balm for the soul.

Wrth wraidd sŵn rhyfeddol Gatehouse mae’r cyfuniad ffidil a ffliwt o draddodiad gorllewin Iwerddon. Mae’r lleisydd Rachel Garvey, Jacinta McEvoy ar gitâr a concertina, John McEvoy ar ffidil a mandolin a John Wynne ar ffliwt a chwiban eisoes wedi cyffrou cynulleidfaoedd yn Iwerddon ac felly rydyn ni wrth ein boddau i ddod â’r meistri hyn i Dde Cymru. Gyda dau albwm i’w henw (‘Tús Nua’ a ‘Heather Down The Moor’), mae Gatehouse yn creu cerddoriaeth draddodiadol hardd sy’n siŵr o’ch swyno.

Described by Bob Harris as ‘One of my absolute favourite artists’, Lowri Evans is blessed with a voice capable of wide emotional power, her songs taking their musical colours from a broad palette that includes Americana, Folk, Country and Blues. Lee Mason’s beautifully judged guitar playing and subtle harmonies have been integral to Lowri’s music from the outset. Together they have toured the USA and opened for Seth Lakeman, Glenn Tilbrook, Martin Simpson, Cara Dillon and Steve Tilston among many others.

Disgrifiodd Bob Harris Lowri Evans fel “un o’m hoff gerddorion”. Mae ei llais â grym emosiynol a’i chaneuon â gwreiddiau amrywiol o Americana, Gwerin a Chanu Gwlad. Ar y gitâr, mae alawon Lee Mason yn gymar perffaith i gerddoriaeth Lowri o’r dechrau. Gyda’i gilydd maen nhw wedi teithio’r UDA ac agor i Seth Lakeman, Glenn Tilbrook, Martin Simpson, Cara Dillon a Steve Tilston, yysg eraill.

Eclectic is the perfect word to describe the music the ESE perform; having three songwriters means that there is a great deal of diversity in the style of their songs and it would be impossible to limit the description of their material to one genre. Ron Savory, Liz Crippin and Alan Thomas all actively write and perform solo. Ron and Liz had already built a huge international following as a duo. With the addition of Allan, the expanded version of “The ESE” has reinvigorated the influences of their material, resulting in ever more interesting and…well…eclectic versions of their solo material!

Mae’r enw yn ddisgrifiad perffaith: gyda phob aelod yn ysgrifennu’r caneuon mae’r gerddoriaeth yn croesi sawl ffin. Mae Ron Savory, Liz Crippin ac Alan Thomas i gyd yn ysgrifennu a pherfformio fel unawdwyr ac roedd Ron a Liz eisoes wedi casglu dilynwyr rhyngwladol di-rif fel deuawd. Gydag Allan, mae’r fersiwn estynedig o’r ESE wedi’i atgyfnerthu ac adfywio, gan greu caneuon hyd yn oed mwy diddorol.

Described as ‘Elegance with acoustic aplomb’ , and as ‘oozing [with] class’ by Country Music Magazine and RnR Magazine, the release of Rob’s third album, Strange Days, encapsulates the Rob Lear Band sound as a fusion of Folk, Americana, pop and a touch of rock’a billy. Rob’s songs draw on the memories, experiences and coming-of-age tales of growing up in a small village tucked away in the Welsh Valleys. Live, the Rob Lear Band blend elements of beautiful vocal harmonies and a wide range of instruments including accordion, mandolin, violin and djembe. Also in this incredible mix are an award-winning guitarist and Van Morrison’s ‘go to’ bass player, Pete Hurley.

Disgrifiwyd y band gan ‘Country Music Magazine’ fel “Elegance with acoustic aplomb” ac yn ôl ‘RnR Magazine’: “oozing [with] class”. Mae trydydd albwm Rob, ‘Strange Days’ yn cadarnhau sŵn y band fel uniad Gwerin, Americana, Pop ac elfen o rock-a-billy. Daw caneuon Rob o’i brofiadau a’i fagwraeth mewn pentref bach yng nghymoedd De Cymru. Wrth berfformio’n fyw, mae’r band yn gwau alawon lleisiol gyda sawl offeryn: accordion, mandolin, ffidil a djembe, er enghraifft. Yn y cymysgedd rhyfeddol hwn, hefyd mae gitarydd gwobrwyedig ac hoff chwaraewr bâs Van Morrison, sef Pete Hurley.

If you’ve never seen Dan The Hat before, you’re in for an unforgettable treat. In his own words: “I’m a comedian, juggler and a stupid stuntman. I’m a Victorian gentleman on a penny-farthing and I’m one half of a pair of cows.” Kids will adore him and so will grown-ups. Loads of skill, loads of audience participation (to be honest, whether you like it or not) and a heap of improvised silliness. Dan The Hat has wowed festival audiences across the country, including a mesmerising performance at Glastonbury. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Just take a look at one of his videos (there are loads more, you can google them). He’s here in our Music section because, frankly, he defies any category. But we know that most of the people on this page will be coming over to watch him anyway so we reckon he’ll feel at home here.

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Phil Millichip is one of the foremost singer-songwriters on the South Wales folk scene. His intensely-moving anthemic song ‘If I Had A Son’ was recorded by folk giant Vin Garbutt. it became a mainstay of the great man’s performances and has since been covered by many artists across Britain. An accomplished audience-pleaser, Phil is a favourite at festivals and clubs across South Wales and beyond. His fourth album, released just in time for the festival, is ‘Love Over Fear And Truth Over Lies’. Phil will be playing with the excellent Keanhu Blue and keyboard wizard Aled Rhys Evans. Don’t miss what will be a special performance.

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Greg Rowlands has a voice as big as his heart. His magnificent, stirring interpretations of a huge repertoire of folk songs will live long in the memory. Greg’s talent was first spotted by folk music giant (and the West End’s War Horse Songman) Bob Fox, who is also perfoming at the festival this weekend. Bob encouraged him to sing in clubs and, since then, Greg has been ever-present on the folk scene, playing concerts, clubs and festivals across Wales, England and Ireland. He is a specialist in audience participation, whether unaccompanied or with his guitar. A former winner of the coveted Acoustic Prize at Upton Folk Festival, Greg has two critically-acclaimed albums to his name, ‘Rollin’ The Covers’ and ‘Song Thief’. Don’t miss him…and bring your best joining-in voice!

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South Wales-based Frankie Wesson is the winner of our singer-songwriter competition with her brilliant song ‘Just Friends’. She started writing and performing in her home town of Abergavenny at the age of 16. Her cinematic songs draw inspiration from her personal experiences of bitter-sweet nostalgia, unrequited love, teenage angst and the complicated reality of growing up LGBT. Raised on artists such as Alanis Morisette, Eva Cassidy and Stevie Nicks, Frankie also takes inspiration from contemporary artists such as Deaf Havana, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Gabrielle Aplin. Her original songs have been featured on BBC Radio 6, and ‘BBC Introducing’ as well as Spotify’s ‘Chilled Pop Hits’ and ‘New Music Friday’ playlists. Frankie has performed on radio stations and at festivals and clubs across Wales and England. We’re proud and delighted to welcome Frankie to our festival. Catch her on our free concert stage on Saturday afternoon and again on our ticketed main stage on Saturday night. Whatever else you do, don’t miss what will be very, very fine performances indeed.

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Trevor Pugsley is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and raconteur who has established a firm folk club following. Besides his own fine compositions, Trevor specialises in unearthing and interpreting little-known gems of Americana. Sings he has brought to life have found their way into the repertoires of folk club singers across South Wales. “There’s no mistaking that voice,” says one reviewer. “It’s deep and rich and perfectly suited to the great lyrics he both writes and finds.”

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Chris Moreton is, by some distance, one of Britain’s truly great guitarists. An award-winning player with more than 40 years’ experience, Chris has been voted Acoustic Guitarist Of The Year by Guitarist magazine and has been five-times champion at the prestigious Edale Bluegrass Festival. Equally accomplished on banjo, Chris has a string of plaudits to his name. “The best bluegrass guitarist in the country,” says The Independent, while Guitarist magazine adds: “Chris Moreton’s performance of The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba saw jaws dropping throughout the audience in the Live Music Hall of the National Music Show.” Chris will be running a guitar snd banjo picking session on the festival’s Bank Holiday Monday. It should be sensational.

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Brian Pugsley has been delivering his distinctive take on contemporary folk and blues since the mid-70s. His rich voice and virtuoso guitar playing mark him out as one of South Wales’s most admired and accomplished artists. A festival regular, he has shared stages with a stunning array of artists…from Stefan Grossman’s original Kicking Mule Blues Legends tours to Tom McConville and award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Maria Dunn. Brian’s elegant and relaxed performances reveal influences ranging from The Dransfields to Darrell Scott - woven into a style unmistakeably his own. Festival visitors from further afield should miss this chance to see what South Wales audiences have been raving about for years.

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Bois Y Bryn are a sea shanty band based in Cwmbran and formed by singers from local choirs and bands. While Wales has a strong snd proud tradition of ‘classical’ choirs, Bois Y Bryn are forging a new tradition with high-energy performances that are foot-tapping, audience-engaging, uplifting and loads of fun. BYB’s repertoire is primarily shanty-led but also includes Welsh and English folk songs. This is going to be a rousing segment of our free Monday ‘relaxed’ concert. Don’t miss it.

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Synergy are a stunning close-harmony male voice choir based in Abergavenny. Their song choice, and the unique acapella sound they make, set them apart from many traditional male voice choirs…Synergy’s repertoire ranges from pop and ballads to swing and laugh-out-loud ‘speciality’ songs. It’s a style that has won Synergy many awards - including the coveted Best Small UK Choir trophy. We predict their set will be one of the highlights of our Monday concert.

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African Cultural Development were formed in 2008 to raise awareness of African art and culture through folk music, drmiing, dances and the use of traditional instruments. Anong those instruments are Adungu (Ugandan harp), Akogo (thumb piano), Amadinda (xylophones), Ngoma (drums), Endingidi (tube fiddle) and many more. The group’s songs, dances and drumming originate principally from Uganda with performances often based on the players’ personal experiences. This will be a unique performance that we are proud and privileged to present at the festival.

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