Listings May 2023

Edited by Mick Tems

THE FOLKWALES LISTINGS is an absolutely crucial service: it’s an up-to-date All-Wales Diary of Roots/Folk Events, which covers the borders with England, too – folkophiles will find it essential! The Diary below is as immediate as our latest information allows, but please phone or email to confirm details before travelling to an event. Many professional music places, theatres, agents and publicists do tell us, but last-minute alterations do happen. If you see an incorrect listing, please let us know by posting at the bottom of the page below.

The Folk Movement is an incredibly broad church – however, FolkWales Listings reserves the right to filter out rock, pop, jazz and classical events, on behalf of our more discerning customers!

Online links:

CELTIC HEARTBEAT: Frank Hennessy, BBC Radio Wales, Sundays, 7pm – 9pm

TRAC: MUSIC TRADITIONS WALES: All-Wales folk development organisation

TASC: Traditional Arts Support In The Community for Powys and beyond

CASBAR FOLK: South Wales folk/roots listings

CWLWM CELTAIDD – Wales’ Celtic festival, the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl

GOWER FOLK FESTIVAL: June festival, stunning artists, stunning scenery

TREDEGAR HOUSE FOLK FESTIVAL: May festival which celebrates international music & dance

GŴYL IFAN: Cardiff dance festival celebrating the longest day

FOLKLIFE QUARTERLY: online & printed listings & articles

ACOUSTIC ROUTES: Jacs Radio (broadcasting from Toronto): Every Monday night with Dave Chamberlain (8pm – 10pm) repeated on Saturday (2pm – 4pm). BLUES AND ROOTS RADIO: (Thursday, 7pm, repeated Friday, 1.30pm). These times may occasionally change by an hour in March and October as Canadian Daylight saving time starts and ends on different dates to the UK.

Times vary during March and October; Canadian daylight saving times are different from the UK.

ALL FOLKED UP: Radio Tircoed, Swansea. Every Thursday with Anthony Rees, 8pm

THE RECORD JOURNAL: Promoting Folk Music In North Wales

DATE	LOCATION	WHAT’S HAPPENING – WHO’S ORGANISING – CONTACTS GLOSSARY: (E) England; (NW) North Wales.
MON 1	Carms / Sir Gâr	Pedair: Neuadd yr Ysgol yr Llanfihangel-Ar-Arth, Pencader SA39 9JH, 7pm
TUE 2
WED 3	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Katherine Priddy: Acapela Studio, Heol y Pentre, Pentyrch CF15 9HH, 8pm
THU 4	Pontardawe	Eric Bibb: Pontardawe Arts Centre, Herbert Street, Pontardawe SA8 4ED, 7.30pm
THU 4	Newport / Casnewydd	The Laners: Lyceum Folk & Acoustic Club, 45 Malpas Road, Newport NP20 5PJ, 8.30pm
THU 4	Cardiff / Caerdydd	86th Caerdydd Galician Session: The Flute and Tankard, 4 Windsor Place CF10 3BX, Cardiff, 8.30pm (free). Contact Jorge Bellón
FRI 5	Swansea Valley / Cwmtawe	Gatehouse: Valley Folk Club, Glais RFC, 609 Birchgrove Road, Glais SA7 9EN, 8pm
FRI 5	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Mei Gwynedd – Sesiynau Tŷ Potas: Acapela Studio, Heol y Pentre, Pentyrch CF15 9HH, 8pm
FRI 5	Swansea / Abertawe	Seven Drunken Nights – the Story of The Dubliners: Swansea Grand Theatre, Singleton Street, Swansea SA1 3QJ, 7.30pm
FRI 5	Newport /  Casnewydd	Tredegar House Folk Festival: Barbara Dickson with Nick Holland, Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening, VRï, Phil Beer, Merry Hell, Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth, Bob Fox, Jez Lowe & Julie Matthews, Niamh Nì Charra,  John Kelly Band, Blackbeard’s Tea Party, The Hennessys, Juice, Dewdropper, Lowri Evans, Rob Lear, The Eclectic Shed Experience, The Deaf Choir, Gatehouse:  Tredegar House, Pencarn Way, Newport, NP10 8YW (until Monday, May 8)
FRI 5	Bristol (E)	Laura Cortese & Friends: Bristol Folk House, 40A Park Street, Bristol BS1 5JG, 8pm
SAT 6	Newport /  Casnewydd	Tredegar House Folk Festival: Tredegar House, Pencarn Way, Newport, NP10 8YW (until Monday, May 8)
SAT 6	Cardiff / Caerdydd	A Fistful Of Spookies, Vokalkompagniet: Conway Road Methodist Church, Conway Road, Cardiff CF11 9NT, 7.30pm. Book tickets: £16.50/£13.80
SAT 6	Bristol (E)	O’Hooley & Tidow: St George’s Bristol, 59 Hill Street BS1 5PU. Doors open: 7.30pm
SUN 7	Newport /  Casnewydd	Tredegar House Folk Festival: Tredegar House, Pencarn Way, Newport, NP10 8YW (until Monday, May 8)
SUN 7	Bristol (E)	John Kelly: Bridgehouse, Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR, 6pm
SUN 7	Glos (E)	The Lost Trades: Forest Folk Club, Orepool Inn, Chepstow Road,Sling, Coleford GL16 8LH, 8pm
MON 8	Newport /  Casnewydd	Tredegar House Folk Festival: Tredegar House, Pencarn Way, Newport, NP10 8YW (ends today)
MON 8	Pontypridd	Republican Festival: Clwb y Bont, 85a Taff Street, Pontypridd, CF37 4SL (free – no times)
TUE 9	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Second Tuesday Club: Whitchurch Rugby Sports & Social Club, Samuels Crescent, Velindre Road, Whitchurch CF14 2TH, 8pm, £3
WED 10	Pontyclun	Tom Lewis: Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, Castan Road CF72 9EH, 8.30pm. £5 members, £8 guests – shantyman extraordinaire!
WED 10	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Ron Sexsmith: Acapela Studio, Heol y Pentre, Pentyrch CF15 9HH, 8pm (SOLD OUT)
THU 11	Porth	The Devil’s Violin – The Beast In Me: The Factory, Jenkins Street, Porth CF39 9PP, 7pm
FRI 12	Carms / Sir Gâr	Gwyl Uilleann Glanyfferi/Ferryside Uilleann Pipes Festival – Néillidh Mulligan, Jarlath Henderson, Ceri Rhys Matthews, Julie Murphy, Rita Farrell, James Carty, Sam Lawrence: Venues in Ferryside, Carmarthenshire (until Sunday, May 14)
FRI 12	Blaenavon / Blaenafon	Spring ceilidh/barn dance with Mynd i’r Gap, Cliff Stover calling: Blaenavon Constitutional Club, James Street NP4 9EJ, 7.30pm. Entry £3
SAT 13	Powys	Freedom To Roam featuring Catrin Finch: Theatr Brycheiniog, Canal Wharf, Brecon LD3 7EW, 7.30pm. Tickets: £20/£18
SAT 13	Cardiff / Caerdydd	All-day Singing Workshop with Camilo Menjura – Harmonies, Rhythms & Melodies of Latin America & Spain: Canton Uniting Church, Cowbridge Road East CF5 1GY, 10am-4pm – Camilo is an award-winning Colombian musician & choir leader. Cost: £40 or £35 early bird booking (before Friday April 14) or for those booking Under One Sun workshop: £60 total. Booking details & further info: paulinedown7@gmail.com
SUN 14
MON 15
TUE 16	Wrexham / Wrecsam	Musikeli: Ty Pawb, Market Street, Wrexham, LL13 8BB, 7pm (workshop) & 9.15pm – 7-man polyphonic choir from Georgia; workshop precedes concert
WED 17	Pontyclun	Granny’s Attic: Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, Castan Road CF72 9EH, 8.30pm. £5 members, £8 guests
WED 17	Pontypridd	VRï: Clwb y Bont, 85a Taff Street, Pontypridd, CF37 4SL, 7.30pm
THU 18	Abergavenny / Y Fenni	VRï: Borough Theatre, Cross Street, Abergavenny NP7 5HD, 7.30pm
THU 18	Aberystwyth	Tapestri: The Bank Vaults, 1, New Street, Aberystwyth SY232AT. Doors open 7.30pm
THU 18	Ludlow (E)	Show of Hands with Michael Wood: Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Market Square, Ludlow SY8 1AS, 7.30pm
FRI 19	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Sam Sweeney: Norwegian Church, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay CF10 4PA, 7.30pm  – SOLD OUT
FRI 19	Carmarthen / Caerfyrddin	Le Vent du Nord: Lyric Theatre, 8 King Street, Carmarthen SA31 1BD, 7.30pm
FRI 19	Swansea / Abertawe	Gower Cheese & Cider Festival: Jamie Nemeth & The Domestics, Backroom Bluegrass Band, Jack Dawgs, Dusty Earth Band, Andy Tamlyn Jones, Afro Welsh Connection, Ukoholix, Balkaneers & more: Gower Heritage Centre, Parkmill SA3 2EH – Tickets must be booked. (until Sunday May 21)
FRI 19	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Zervas & Pepper: Acapela Studio, Heol y Pentre, Pentyrch CF15 9HH, 8pm
FRI 19	Gwent	The Devil’s Violin – The Beast In Me: Pen y Wyrlod Barn, Llanvetherine, Monmouthshire, 7pm
SAT 20	Cardiff /  Caerdydd	Becky Price & Chris Allen – an Evening of European Music & Dance: Canton Liberal Club, 301-303 Cowbridge Road East Canton, Canton CF5 1JD. £10 on the door – 5pm: music session; 7pm: bal basics workshop; 8pm-11pm: bal. Organised by the Pentreffest committee
SAT 20	Cardiff /  Caerdydd	Out of Hand with caller Alison Rowley: Ruff Ceilidhs, St Mary’s Hall, Talbot Street, Cardiff CF11 9BX, 7.30pm
SAT 20	Brecon / Aberhonddu	From Pub to Pulpit – Singing with Broomdasher, the cathedral organ & choir: Brecon Cathedral, Cathedral Close, Brecon LD3 9DP, 7pm. Tickets from £10 from Eventbrite (Singing workshop at 5.15pm) – a celebration of Welsh composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (whose family come from Carmarthen) and his 150th birthday
SUN 21	Powys	Tim Kliphuis – In Memory of Django: Theatr Brycheiniog, Canal Wharf, Brecon LD3 7EW, 2pm
SUN 21	Internet	Anne Lister – Singing for my Supper! featuring Keith Donnelly, David Kidman, Mary McLaughlin, Robb Johnson, Mike O’Connor & Barbara Griggs, Danny Carnahan – Anne organises a 9pm zoom concert; please pay what you can. Email Anne for the link for the zoom meeting and the Paypal address for donations
SUN 21	Bristol (E)	The Last Inklings: Bristol Folk House, 40A Park Street, Bristol BS1 5JG, 8pm
MON 22	Pembs / Sir Benfro	Lulo Reinhardt & Yuliya Lonskaya: Burnett’s Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Narberth, 7.30pm
MON 22	Ludlow (E)	Rapsquillion: Bill’s kitchen, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, 1 Mill Street, Ludlow SY8 1AZ, 7pm
TUE 23	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Gretchen Peters: Roots Unearthed, St David’s Hall, The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AH, 7.30pm. Tickets: £29.50 adv, £31.50 on the day
TUE 23	Abergavenny / Y Fenni	Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, acc. by Pandit Subhen Chatterjee: Borough Theatre, Cross Street, Abergavenny NP7 5HD, 7.30pm
TUE 23	Llantrisant	Clwb Alawon Llantrisant Tune Club: Caerlan Hall, Parish Office, Newbridge Road, Llantrisant CF72 8EX, 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Contact Mike Edwards
WED 24	Pontyclun	Showcase with Milton Hide: Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, Castan Road CF72 9EH, 8.30pm. Admission: £3
THU 25	Newport / Casnewydd	Alex Seel & Jon Sanders:  Newport Folk Club, Fugitives Athletics Club, Highcross Road, 8pm
THU 25	Cardiff / Caerdydd	The Pentyrch Session: The Lewis Arms, Heol Goch, Cardiff CF15 9PN. 8.15pm (free). Contact Mike Greenwood
FRI 26	Fishguard  / Abergwaun	Fishguard Folk Festival – Sam Sweeney, Granny’s Attic, Janice Burns & Jon Doran, Emily Portman & Rob Harbron, Broadoak, Acorns Ceilidh/Twmpath Band, Al Coy, Afro-Welsh Connection, BouZaTina, The Cherrystones, Andrew McKay & Carole Etherton, Danny Tose, Dwndwr, Finbar Magee & Breige Quinn, Fishguard Folk Singers, Holly Robinson, Lauford Cripps, Mike Chant, Mike Greenwood, Pat Smith & Ned Clamp, Milton Hide, Teifi Ukulele Group, Rob Lear Band & more: Events around the town (until Monday May 29)
FRI 26	Pembs / Sir Benfro	Lady Maisery: Rhosygilwen Mansion, Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, SA43 2TW, 7.30pm
FRI 26	Powys	Mr H, Tapestri, Billy Bragg, The Eclectic Shed Experience: How The Light Gets In, Hay-on-Wye (until Monday May 29)
SAT 27	Fishguard  / Abergwaun	Fishguard Folk Festival: Events around the town (until Monday May 29)
SAT 27	Gwent	Devauden Festival: Mari Mathias Trio, Bryony Sier & more: The Hood Memorial Hall, Devauden, Chepstow NP16 6NX (until Sunday, May 28)
SAT 27	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Steve Eaves: Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4PA
SAT 27	Bristol (E)	Allison de Groot & Titania Hargreaves: Bristol Folk House, 40A Park Street, Bristol BS1 5JG, 8pm
SUN 28	Fishguard  / Abergwaun	Fishguard Folk Festival: Events around the town (until Monday May 29)
		Devauden Festival: Rusty Shackle, Avanc, Bryony Sier & more: The Hood Memorial Hall, Devauden, Chepstow NP16 6NX (ends tonight)
SUN 28	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Janice Burns & Jon Doran: Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay CF10 4PT, 7.30pm
SUN 28	Cardiff / Caerdydd	Martin Taylor: Acapela Studio, Heol y Pentre, Pentyrch CF15 9HH, 8pm
SUN 28	Bristol (E)	The Young’uns: Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE, 8pm
SUN 28	Bristol (E)	Jim Moray: Bristol Folk House, 40A Park Street, Bristol BS1 5JG, 8pm
MON 29	Fishguard  / Abergwaun	Fishguard Folk Festival: Events around the town (ends today)
MON 29	Pembs / Sir Benfro	Julie Murphy, Ceri Rhys Matthews, Jess Ward & more: Pilgrim Fayre/Ffair y Pererinion, St Davids Bishop’s Palace SA62 6PE, approx 5pm (free)
MON 29	Pembs / Sir Benfro	Quartet Draig: Rhosygilwen Mansion, Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, SA43 2TW, 2pm – fairy tales & folk tunes; part of Family Fun Day
TUE 30	Aberystwyth	Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba: Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth University, Penglais Campus SY23 3DE, 7.30pm. Tickets: £20
TUE 30	Newport / Casnewydd	Last Tuesday Sing: The Inn at Rhiwderyn, Caerphilly Road, Rhiwderin, Newport NP10 8RX, Organised by Newport Folk Club
WED 31	Pontyclun	Under Milk Wood – a reading organised by Steve Lamb: Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, Castan Road CF72 9EH, 8.30pm. £3
WED 31	Cardiff / Caerdydd	The Young’uns: Acapela Studio, Heol y Pentre, Pentyrch CF15 9HH, 8pm

If you see a listing which is inaccurate, or you have information about a gig for this month which is not listed, please use the Comment box below.