The Festival of the Celts 2015
Irish master fiddler Caitlin Barrett and her band The Roving Crows headline the Friday, full of promising Welsh artists including Siôn Russell Jones and the fabulous Kizzy Crawford, formerly of Llandeilo.
Another top Irish band, The Weebag band, just back from touring the Americas and soon off to Puerto Rico, play Saturday afternoon before what promises to be a storming set from Blackwood’s funk roots powerhouse, the Bleedin Noses, others include Swansea band Lost Tuesday Society and Ceridigion trio Platform One, during the day.
The musical highlight of the weekend promises to be the Sunday evening from Scottish musos making a name for themselves , Hunter & The Bear, fresh from touring with Eric Clapton on 8 arena gigs and playing this summer in festivals at Leeds and Reading, T- in The Park, Acoustic Festival of Britain, Glastonbury, very much in the Mumford and Sons musical territory .
The eclectic music theme on Sunday hosts the fabulous valley voice of Toriah Fontaine, who has shot to the top of the bill on several European Jazz festivals this summer, including a late addition to the Brecon Jazz and as special guest with Jools Holland tour in the winter.
“Genuinely the next big thing on the folk scene” Andy O’Hare, BBC"Really individual Celtic folk rock group" Mike Harding, BBC"Great party music...I love that band" Paul O'Grady, BBCAward Winning – Folk Fusion. In 2011 they won 2 Irish Music Awards; ‘Top Celtic Rock Band’ and ‘Top Fiddle Player’, accredited to them by the ‘Irish Music Association’ in America. In 2012 they won ‘Best Folk Act’ at the ‘Exposure Music Awards’, receiving the award at a ceremony in London. |
The Roving Crows During 2012 they achieved national airplay on BBC Radio 2, Mike Harding’s Folk Show and the Paul O’Grady Show. Their music has also been played on many local BBC stations including Shropshire/Hereford & Worcester/Gloucestershire/Wales as well as Netherland based station Radio Hoogeveen and online stations Bishops FM, Celtic Music Radio and Celtic-Rock.de amongst many more. Their 3rd Album ‘Deliberate Distractions’ was released on 4th November 2013. |
Hunter & The Bear |
Hunter & The Bear may have been compared to every current folk-rock band there is going, but critics have always made it clear that the quartet have that little something extra special that makes them stand out from the crowd. |
 |
The WeeBag 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....... Paul - on the strummy thing Rory - on the picky thing Alan - on the boomy thing Mark - on the bassy thing Jules - on the scratchy thing Oh.! and the name.......? Well lets just say we were under the influence of something a tad iffy when we came up with that one and were stuck with it now...!!! |
 |
The Bleedin Noses The Noses are a band with a category all of their own, "Welsh Hillbilly Punk" Conceived in 2011, The Noses are a Six-Piece ensemble residing in Blackwood, South Wales. Comprised of members, Oliver Ashton, Paul Julian, kevin Meyrick, Darren Lewis, Leonard Molyneux, and Lee Louie Williams. Combining Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, Drums, Bass and Double Bass, Keyboards and Accordion. They Have come to describe themselves as "Country Punks", drawing Influence From Folk, Country, Punk Rock and The Blues. |
| Having released Their debut album in 2012 to many rave reviews, The Noses have since gone on to tour the UK extensively, and have played many festivals, including The Greenman, Larmer tree and Glastonbury Festival. Their live performances have also gained them many prestigious accolades which include: 'Larmer Tree Breakthrough Music Award Winner 2014', The Convents winner of 'The Band 2014', and most recently went on to win a slot to perform on The Godney Gartherings main stage in 2015. thenoses.co.uk/ |
KIZZY CRAWFORD
|
A Welsh speaker with Bajan heritage, Eighteen year old Kizzy Crawford's solo career began just two years ago. In that time, Kizzy has developed an increasing sophistication to her songwriting and performance, which is complimented by her soaring voice that boasts both range and charisma. She explains "I have a fantastic cultural heritage to be proud of - Welsh, English and Barbadian; and this is reflected in my music as well as drawing on soul, indie, folk, jazz and songs and songwriters from the '60s and '70s" She is the voice , face and song of the Welcome to Wales TV ad as well as the Six Nations TV ads over past 12 months. |
| She has been in concert several times this past few years on TV and appeared on BBC newcomers Stage at Glastonbury In 2014. She is a Merthyr girl, still only 19. Recently back from USA where she represented Wales in the huge SXSW festival in Texas. |
|
 |
Siôn Russell Jones is a singer/songwriter from Cardiff, Wales. He has a unique and infectious vocal backed up by intricate guitar melodies and cracking choruses. Since the release of his debut album ‘And Suddenly’, Siôn has had an exciting few years securing an endorsement deal with Stonebridge Guitars and a publishing deal with BDi Music (Bucks Music Group). Siôn’s last two singles ‘So Long’ and ‘Best of Me’ and his recent single ‘Despite My Burdens’ from his upcoming album ‘Lost No More’ have all received airplay on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio Wales, his track ‘So Long’ is also regularly played on SRF 3 in Switzerland and RTL National Radio France. |
| Siôn’s music has also been used on several British television programmes including Coronation Street and Emmerdale for ITV, Eastenders for BBC 1 and more recently on Stella for Sky 1. sionrusselljones.com |
|
 |
The Parcel Of Rogues are a Folk Rock band playing an eclectic mix of folk, roots, and rock based music. The repertoire is widely diverse, from driving foot stompers to slow atmospheric ballads, with a selection of traditional & Irish folk songs, plus a wide range in between! All performed with excellent musicianship, vocal harmonies and peppered with a great deal of fun, they are always well received by their audiences. |
| The band likes to get the audience involved, singing & dancing, and are not a ‘finger in the ear’ type of band by any means! The most frequently heard comments about the band: "What a breath of fresh air these guys are - definitely not the same old, same-old!" parcel-of-rogues.co.uk/ |
|
 |
Toriah Fontaine & Ric Rython - a Blues Jazz duo - vocals from the stunning Toriah Fontaine and piano from The Delta Breaks's Ric Rython. Beautifully classic and fantastically powerful |  |
Johnny Velvet Solo guitar instrumentalist playing in the styles od blues rock, country, jazz funk and more. |
 |
Platform 1 Hi, my name is Josh and along with my sister we make Platform One, a melodic folk duo based in south west Wales. |
 |
Lost Tuesday Society Six piece from Swansea, mixing ingredients from folk, psychedelia, rock, blues, jazz, indie and trip-hopish into a beautiful pie for your ears to eat. |
 |
Crwth is a Contemporary Celtic band originating in Wales. We produce and perform original music in Cardiff, Newport and across Wales. Crwth began as a duo in 2013 and have since recruited two new members from the University of South Wales. We consist of a violinist and vocalist, Rosie Bell who has been featured on BBC Radio Wales on several occasions. Guitarist, Rhodri McDonagh who co-writes with Rosie Bell, has finished university and is pursuing a career in the film industry. Joel Frank plays the Mandolin, guitar and accompanying vocals. Our percussionist, Joseph Burton, plays the cajon an instrument which has become increasingly popular in irish folk music and suits our minimalist style. |
