SPIRO: Roots Unearthed, Lefel 3, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, February 17, 2017 Spiro are… well, a musical enigma. Even in their home city of Bristol, they remain pretty hidden, inconspicuous and mysterious; but when they come together, the sparks truly fly and the Spiro magic is ignited. Guitarist Jon Hunt, piano accordionist Jason Sparkes, mandolinist…
MARTYN JOSEPH: Roots Unearthed, Lefel 3, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, November 29, 2016 It was a brilliant, celebratory homecoming for Martyn Joseph. The Penarth-based guitarist, wonderful singer and unique songwriter was just into his Winter Tour, with shows and concerts all over the depth and breadth of the UK, with America and Europe beckoning on…
SHOW OF HANDS: St David’s Hall, Cardiff, November 2, 2016 There’s no doubt about it: We have listened to their fabulous albums, including the much-heralded and recently-released Centenary Live At Exeter Cathedral, but seeing a Show Of Hands concert in the flesh is sheer and complete artistry. The audience is totally blown away by…
WE BANJO 3: Roots Unearthed, Lefel 3, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, October 20, 2016 The packed Roots Unearthed audience and never seen or heard anything like it; the Irish band We Banjo 3, after a storming set, had cajoled the ecstatic punters to remain standing while they lit the blue touchpaper for the final, triumphant piece…
LYNCHED: Roots Unearthed, Lefel 3, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, September 20, 2016 It was the early 2000s, and Dublin brothers Ian and Daragh Lynch hit upon the plan of forming an experimental psychedelic folk-punk duo. That duo has metamorphosed into Lynched, the spellbinding and alluringly mesmerising young quartet who are fiercely proud of their traditions…
THE JIGANTICS: Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, September 14, 2016 The Jigantics are an amazing phenomenon. The five musicians break every rule in the folk-police book as they deliver their interpretations of yee-haw country hits, Chuck Berry rock material and a welter of Americana, all richly ladled into exquisite guitar riffs, drum rolls,…
Penarth singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph, acclaimed as “one of acoustic music’s most original voices”, had the honour of being nominated at the AIM Independent Music Awards at The Brewery in London in the closely contested category of Hardest Working Band or Artist. Known for his astute songs of compassion and as one of the finest live…
The village of Pentyrch, which lies north of Cardiff, has earned a reputation as the music and folk-roots hot-spot – thanks to husband and wife Hywel Wigley and harp virtuoso Catrin Finch, who bought the ancient Capel Horeb and converted it as the concert base for their Acapela Studio. The month of May is looking…
Spectacular musicians and dancers from all over Wales and Europe will be heading for the breathtaking Welsh surroundings of the historic Tredegar House in The City Of Newport, for the 27th Tredegar House Folk Festival, which opens on the evening of Friday, May 6, 2016, and runs until Sunday, May 8 for a packed weekend…
It’s going to be one stupendous night at Llantrisant Folk Club on March 30, 2016. The South Wales folk scene is looking forward to a stunning seven-strong Irish invasion when harmony singers Coda are coming from their base in Westport, County Mayo – and they’re performing just one gig. Coda includes Irish teacher Conall Ò’…