DECEMBER | LIVE MUSIC LISTINGS
For any listings queries, including getting your event listed, please email [email protected]
thursday 1 december
2016 West Park Primary Christmas Concert Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 1.30 + 6pm, £4. Info 01656 815995. On tomorrow also.
BBC NOW: Belshazzar’s Feast St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£37. Info 029 2087 8444. A performance of this work by William Walton plus others by Elgar and Frederick Delius.
Chris Newman & Mairi Ni Cathasaigh Cuffern Manor, Roch, Haverfordwest. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01437 710071.
Counterparts + Expire + Landscapes + Knocked Loose Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £14. Info 029 2023 2199:
Fronteers + The Broadcasts + Little Folk The Moon Club, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5 adv. Info info@
thefullmooncardiff.com. Presented by This Feeling.
Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636. Every Thursday except when there’s a guest on.
Hackensack Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £5-£10. Info 029 2038 7026. Local jazz combo. You can pay £5, £7 or £10 depending on what you think their performance is worth, taking into account various social and intersectional considerations.
Jane’s Calamity Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected]. An evenng of singing along to songs from the musicals round the piano.
Jess Glynne + Raye Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7pm, from £25. Info 029 2022 4488. Sold out.
Katherine Jenkins Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7pm, £54/£44. Info 01792 475715.
Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £21.50. Info 01873 850805.
Nigel Price Organ Trio Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth. 8pm, £4-£8. Info 01834 869323. Spanjazz night. Also features a guitar workshop led by Price himself (he isn’t the organist in the Organ Trio, you see), starting at 6pm and costing £3.
Pi & Hash Presents Local Showcase The Full Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info [email protected]. Also on Thurs 5 Jan.
Portals Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933.
Upbeat Sneakers Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199.
friday 2 december
182 + Bowling For Cawl The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. Swanisphere present a pop-punk tribute evening. Bowling For Cawl are indeed a Welsh tribute to Bowling For Soup. Not gonna lie, this has made my day.
2016 West Park Primary Christmas Concert Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 1.30 + 6pm, £4. Info 01656 815995.
Amser Jazz Time Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 5.30-7pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391. Performances in the foyer every week until Fri 9 Dec.
A Night At The Movies Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01495 227206. With the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra.
Aubrey Parsons Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Balsamo Deignton & Friends Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £18. Info 01792 475715.
Bella & The Blues Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4/£2. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues.
Bryn Yemm Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £12.50. Info 01873 850805. Charity concert for Save The Children.
Chris Kelly Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Classic Intentions The Newbridge, Rumney, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2030 8031. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Dual Control Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.
First Annual Community Christmas Concert Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm, £6. Info 01685 384111. Featuring Redhouse Performance Academy, Treharris Male Voice Choir, Choir Of Light, Dare To Sing Ladies Choir and CAST Musical Theatre.
Foreign Beggars Sin City, Swansea. 10pm, £10 adv. Info 01792 468892. UK hip-hop stalwarts.
Give Me The Night Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £39. Info 029 2070 5391. With a five-course meal plus Nat Augustin paying tribute to George Benson.
Guto Dafis & Melusina Trio St Fagans Village Hall. 7.30pm. Info 029 2023 2970. Pentreffest Noz monthly folk session.
Henry Marten’s Ghost Diabolo’s Gastro Pub, Carmarthen. Info 01267 232755.
Jake & The Jellyfish The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info [email protected].
John Nicholas Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Kaytannau Plas Derwen, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853144. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Live Acoustic Night The Pilot, Penarth. Free. Info 029 2071 0615. On the first Friday of each month.
Los Campesinos! + Weddings Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12.50 adv. Info 029 2023 2199. Sold out.
Madness + Lightning Seeds Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, £47.50/£35. Info 029 2022 4488.
Mr Tea & The Minions + Mike Dennis Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. Dub/swing/Balkan/whip your dreads in some poor bugger’s face type band headline.
Musical Portraits 3 National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. 1.05pm, £5. Info 029 2039 7951. Anne Pritchard, Senior Curator of Historic Art at National Museum Cardiff, introduces the extensive Impressionist collection at the Museum and Kenneth Hamilton plays music by composers who worked at the same point in history.
Open Night The Ivy Bush, Pontardawe. 8pm. Info [email protected]. A Valley Folk Club night. Also on Fri 6 Jan.
Opera Gala At Christmas Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £15/£13. Info 029 2039 1391. With the WNO Orchestra.
Outreach Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7.30pm. Info 01443 491424. Hip-hop/battle night hosted by Urban Culture Wales. MCs: Cujo, Turna Phrase, The Forgotten, Double KD, EZ Mak, Young D, TNT, Dan Mac, Krazy Flow, Capacity 2 Reason, Feenix and Trapskipper v Junior T.
Pardon Madame The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Planet Rockstock Trecco Bay, Porthcawl. 5pm, £150 weekend. Info www.
planetrock.com/events/planet-rock-live/planet-rockstock-2016. This has been sold out for months. Today kicks off with one stage only, featuring The Dead Daisies, Tyketto, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, A Thousand Horses and Stone Broken. (Until Sun 4)
Super Furry Animals + Bo Ningen Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £30. Info 01970 623232. Last month’s Buzz cover stars play the first of two gigs in the region we cover, the other being in Cardiff on Sat 17. They’ll be doing stuff off their first two albums.
Swnami + Ffracas Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7. Info 029 2023 2199:
The Apartment + Dapper Cadavers The Parrot, Carmarthen. 8pm, £5. Info 01267 231012.
The Blockheads The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £17 adv. Info 07590 471888.
The Cut Ups + Pipedream + Disjoy The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £5. Info [email protected]. Presented by DIY Cardiff.
The Distributors Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Ghost Riders In The Sky + Calling Apollo + No Beef Sin City, Swansea. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info 01792 468892. This band are fronted by Steph Carter, ex of Gallows.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £19.50-£29.50. Info 029 2087 8444.
The Kenny Driscoll Band Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965.
Welsh Camerata Christmas Concert St Mary Of The Angels, Talbot Street, Cardiff. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2023 0492. Performing works by Thomas Tallis. In Swansea on Sat 10 Dec.
saturday 3 december
3 Amp Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Presented by Nailed It Events.
A Touch Of Holly At Christmas Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £17. Info 01600 772467. Buddy Holly tribute set.
Attila The Stockbroker The Albion, Penarth. Info 029 2033 0743. Plus DJs playing new wave, punk and reggae.
Bad Reputation The Patriot, Crumlin. 9.30pm. Info 01495 247178.
Bella Courtyard, Newport. 3pm, free. Info 01633 213161.
Blues Brothers Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £39. Info 029 2070 5391. With a five-course meal plus Blues and soul hits from Birmingham duo.
Broken Jaw + Junk DNA + Incursion + Another Dead Hero + Magnu Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7-10.30pm, £4 adv. Info 07970 063107.
Cardiff & Vale Music Services The Gate, Cardiff. 7pm, £6-£8. Info 029 2048 3344.
Cardiff University Jazz Ensemble Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7pm, free. Info 029 2087 4816. Performing music by Mozart, Schubert and Fokkens.
Cat Southall The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Chains Of Fleetwood Mac The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01495 213300. Tribute band.
Choir Of The Year Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 5pm, £17.50-£31.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Featuring finalists in six categories and your host, Josie D’arby.
Chris John The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Christmas With The Sirens St Margaret’s Church, Roath, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info www.ticketsource.co.uk/
citysirens. Festive concert by local all-female a capella group.
Cloudbusting Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2089 0862.
Dan Reed + Nick B Byrne + Tom Roynon Blake + Rhys Davis The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £12/£10 adv. Info [email protected].
Daz English Ty Risha, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 725287. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Dodgy + Shimai + Darren Nigel Evans The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £15 adv. Info 01685 387925. Goodtime Britpop-era indie starts who, for whatever reason, ain’t too proud to play a pub in the valleys circa 2016.
Fedora Chic Barnabas Arts House, Newport. 6.45pm, £18. Info 01633 673739. A ‘bohemian jazz’ band play as part of an evening which includes tapas in the price. Yes that is their name, one you may well see checked on page 3 of this very issue.
Forever Never Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7.30pm, £8/£6 adv. Info www.hobosmusicvenue.com.
Greenleaf + Steak + Lacertilia + Suns Of Thunder + Grifter + The Rollbars + VAILS + Oak The Moon Club, Cardiff. 2.30-10.30pm, £10 adv. Info info@
thefullmooncardiff.com. A day of stoner rock bands, presented by Snuff Lane.
Grizzmas 2016 Mozarts, Swansea. 7.30pm. Info 01792 649984. Annual punk rock bash, this year featuring sets from Teenage Mutant Single Mothers, Low Blows, Nihilistic and Iron Gosling, a name which nearly caused me to smile.
Gwalia Singers Clyne Golf Club, Swansea. Info 01792 203392. Charity Christmas concert by local ensemble who perform at various other Swansea venues on Tue 6, Thurs 8, Tue 13, Wed 14 and Thurs 20. The number given here is that of their secretary.
Huw M Snails Deli, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. 7pm, £22.50 inc buffet. Info 029 2062 0415.
Huw V Williams Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8.30pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. Jazz.
Jazz All Stars Of Brecon Northcote Conservative Club, Brecon. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 01874 622063.
Marillion Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £28 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. UK proggoes, first time here for years I think. Sold out.
Markham Band Miners’ Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £8/£7. Info 01495 227206.
Mayor’s Charity Concert Pontypridd town centre.6pm, free. Info www.pontypriddmuseum.cymru. Carols etc.
Nine Below Zero The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. If a second-hand record shop has Nine Below Zero LPs in the ‘punk/new wave’ section it’s guaranteed to be crap.
Only Men Aloud St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £27. Info 029 2087 8444.
Ozzy Ozzspawn Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £7 adv. Info 01443 682388. Tribute to Ozzy’s solo career.
Pilgrim + Kikamora + Fireroad + I Destroy + Mahouts + Heavy Flames Con Club, Aberdare. 5.30pm, £5 adv. Info 01685 871661.
Planet Rockstock Trecco Bay, Porthcawl. 5pm, £150 weekend. Info www.planetrock.com/events/planet-rock-live/planet-rockstock-2016. Main stage: British Lion featuring Steve Harris, Martin Turner, Whiskey Myers, The Raven Age, The Amorettes and Colour Of Noise. Second stage: The Dust Coda, Idlewar, Tess Of The Circle, Haxan, Under A Banner, Bad Touch and Darren’s DIY Band. (Until Sun 4)
Rachel B Three Horse Shoes, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2069 4630. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Showaddywaddy Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £19.50. Info 01792 475715. “‘The Greatest Rock & Roll Band In The World’ is a bold statement but Showaddywaddy has lived up to that title for the last 4 decades!” Glad that’s settled. In Abergavenny on Fri 13 Jan.
Son Of Man Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £20. Info 07818 056599. Featuring Deke Leonard.
Soul Lotta Funk Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
The 4th Kind Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965.
The Acoustix The Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Christmas Fantasia Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm. Info 0845 2263510. Featuring Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers. Sold out.
The D Teez The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info [email protected].
The Guy Tortora Band Cwmbran RFC, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01633 483238. Borough Blues club gig.
The Money Shot Riverside Tavern, Newport. 7.30pm, free. Info 01633 439166. Punk band play in recently refurbished bar.
The Navarones Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 8pm, £3. Info 01443 491424. Ska covers.
The Pistols + The Clashed + The Ramoned Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7pm, £12.50/£10 adv. Info 07512 237983. It was 40 years ago today / the Sex Pistols played in Caerphill-ay… meaning that having restlessly tapped its foot as London has got on their ‘40 Years Of Punk’ nostalgia ting during 2016, it can finally begin in south Wales. Oh goody. Three tribute bands feature in this instance.
The Smiths Indeed Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 8pm, £12. Info 029 2023 2199. Tribute band, not commemorating 40 years of anything.
Vespertine + Fire Fences + Mumbleman The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info [email protected].
Voes + To Bear Sir The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm. Info 01495 213300.
sunday 4 december
Aubrey Parsons The Pheasant, Bridgend. 7pm, free. Info 01656 653614.
Calypso Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Cardiff University Brahms: German Requiem Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 3pm, £8/free NUS. Info 01792 475715.
Chasing Cadence + Dream State The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 07730 432166.
Christmas Snowsongs Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391. Festive vocal performance in the foyer. (Until Tue 6)
Del Mar Piano Trio Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 3pm, £3-£12. Info 01970 623232.
Electric Six + We Are Z The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 07590 471888. E6 very much in the category of ‘bands who book a December gig in Cardiff every year’, alongside Jools Holland, Status Quo and May Contain Nuts. This gig is sold out! In Swansea tomorrow though, which doesn’t seem to be.
Gruig The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767.
*Guttersnipe + Kazehito Seki + Oblong + Sunshine Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30-10.30pm, £6. Info 029 2022 8883. Lesson No.1 and FYB present various flavas of noiserock and noise, headlined by mercurial Leeds duo Guttersnipe. SEE THIS BAND!
Mayor’s Charity Concert Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7pm, £6/£3. Info 01639 763214. In aid of Y Rhosyn Cancer Care and Alzheimers Research.
Monday Club 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883. Local singer-songwriters perform in the main bar every week.
Planet Rockstock Trecco Bay, Porthcawl. 5pm, £150 weekend. Info www.
planetrock.com/events/planet-rock-live/planet-rockstock-2016. Main stage: Black Stone Cherry, Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts, Inglorious, Von Hertzen Brothers and Jackaman. Second stage: Simo, Federal Charm, Aaron Keylock, Black Orchid Empire, JOANovARC, Fallen Temples and Tequila Mockingbyrd. (Finishes today)
Steve Tamer Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Great Unknown The Windsor, Penarth. 9pm, free. Info 029 2070 8675.
The Lonely Hearts Rugby Clwb Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2030 4400. Twenty-piece band playing music from around the world.
The Sixteen St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £5-£22.50. Info 029 2087 8444.
The Snowman Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 2pm, £5-£10. Info 029 2039 1391. Screening of said animation with a live orchestra. (Until Tue 6)
Wonk Unit + The Murderburgers + Pizzatramp The Moon Club, Cardiff. 8pm, £5. Info [email protected]. Punk bands, presented by Punk Rock Bowling.
monday 5 december
Caerphilly Christmas Showcase St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £7-£9. Info 029 2087 8444. Featuring ensembles and choirs from across said county.
Christmas Snowsongs Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391. (Until Tue 6)
Electric Six + We Are Z + Calling Apollo + Teenage Mutant Single Mothers The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm, £14.50 adv. Info 07730 432166.
Groucho Club Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Live jazz, also here on Mon 19 Dec and Mon 9 Jan.
The Hiding Place + Chapter & Verse + Stay Voiceless Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7-10.30pm, £4 adv. Info 07970 063107.
The Snowman Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 10am + 12pm, £5-£10. Info 029 2039 1391. (Until Tue 6)
The So So Glos Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7. Info 029 2023 2199.
Ukulele Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Every Monday, with The Plucking Fourstrings.
University Of South Wales Live Bands Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2038 7026. Also on Mon 12 Dec, Mon 23 Jan and Mon 30 Jan.
tuesday 6 december
Acoustic Tuesday South Riverside Community Development Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2030 4400. Regular event led by pioneering local musicians and singers.
Akil The MC + Truemendous + Aleighcia Scott Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 7933. Also featuring DJ Jaffa.
*Alison O’Donnell & Firefay + Sproatly Smith Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2030 4400. Alison was singer in culter-than-thou psych-folk band Mellow Candle in the early 70s, and will be doing some of those songs with Firefay, a French band. The Wyrd Wonder presents.
Biffy Clyro + Brand New Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7pm, from £38.50. Info 029 2022 4488. Sold out. But we’re still running a Biffy interview Upfront, for the sole purpose of taunting anyone who wants to go but can’t.
Capital City Jazz Orchestra Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253.
Christmas Snowsongs Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391. (Finishes today)
Community Samba Band – Practise Dates Llanfrynach Village Hall, Brecon. 6-8pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info [email protected]. Every Tuesday.
Contemporary Music Group: Minimalist Classics Cardiff University Concert Hall. 6.15-9pm, free. Info 029 2087 4816.
Gwalia Singers Scout/Guide Headquarters, Brynmill, Swansea. Info 01792 203392.
Gwyn Lewis & Friends Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.
Jessica Robinson & Rhiannon Pritchard The Riverfront, Newport. 3pm, £6. Info 01633 656757. Soprano/piano duo.
Jim Bob + Chris T-T The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Him out of Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine.
MC Lars + MC Chris + Mega Ran + Koo Koo Kanga Roo The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 07730 432166. Nerd rapper headlines, supported by some people or bands with awful names.
Open Mic The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, free. Info 01497 821762. Every Tuesday.
Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected]. Every Tuesday.
RWCMD Festive Cafe Concert St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 3pm, £6.50. Info 01446 799100.
The Snowman Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 10am + 12pm, £5-£10. Info 029 2039 1391. (Finishes today)
wednesday 7 december
Acoustic Open Mic Night Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 7-11pm, free. Info 01685 384111.
Bandaoke Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected]. “Sing with a fully rehearsed band and become the Popstar you always dreamed of being.” Also on Wed 21.
Bella’s Blues Duo Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.
Blackhawk Big Band with Owain Mealing Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8. Info [email protected]. South Wales Big Band Society gig.
Bryony Sier + Wayne Brennan + Olivia & The Saint NosDa, Cardiff. 8.30pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2037 8866. Hosted by U&I Radio.
Cardiff County And Vale Of Glamorgan Music Service Christmas Showcase St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £6-£10. Info 029 2087 8444.
Cardiff University Chamber Orchestra Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7pm, £5/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816.
Christmas Coffee Morning Concert The Met, Abertillery. 11am, £4. Info 01495 355800. Price includes a coffee and a mince pie.
Mavron Christmas Recital The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2048 3344. Book in advance please.
More Than A Song Community Choir Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.
Mornington Lockett with Dave Cottle Trio Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30-11pm, £10. Info 07802 912789.
Open Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Every Wednesday. Expect to hear jazz, blues, rock or ska here.
Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863. Every Wednesday.
*Pixies + Fews Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7pm, from £32.50. Info 029 2022 4488. See Upfront for an interview with Joey out of the Pixies, ahead of their first Cardiff gig for something like 27 years.
Royal Welsh College Chorus & Badinerie Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £14/£12. Info 029 2039 1391.
The Heavy Quartet Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253.
Three Legg’d Mare Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £6-£7.50. Info 01970 623232. Local folkies.
We’re No Heroes + Tibet + Boy Azooga Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199.
thursday 8 december
Brother Mule Burnett’s Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01646 651725. Folk duo.
Dirty Alex Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £2. Info 029 2039 7933. Launch show for a new local hip-hop collective who feature jazz musicians a la Guru’s Jazzmatazz. Might be alright.
Elvis Legacy Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £39. Info 029 2070 5391. With Mark Summers upholding that legacy, likewise your five-course meal.
English Chamber Ensemble St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£48. Info 029 2087 8444. This concert was going to feature well buff classical guitarist Miloš Karadaglic – shout out to all you thirsty Googlers who have made ‘…girlfriend’ the second autocomplete result for his name – but he can’t play, so will be compering and Craig Ogden will take his place.
Gwalia Singers Vivian Hall, Blackpill, Swansea. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info 01792 203392.
Heart Of Gold Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8. Info 029 2023 2199.
John Crespo Quartet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026.
Mass Collective Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636.
St Fagans Christmas Songsheet National History Museum, St Fagans. 6 + 7.30pm, £5.50. Info 029 2057 3500. On tomorrow also.
Viscera Trail + Sodomized Cadaver Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 07970 063107. Death metal. Headliners are from Israel and call themselves “the sickest band in the holy land!”
Winter Mountain + Little Red + Shootin’ The Crow Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933.
Zervas & Pepper + Blue Rose Code The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13 adv. Info 07590 471888.
friday 9 december
Amser Jazz Time Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 5.30-7pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391.
Andy Fairweather-Low & The Low Riders Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £21. Info 01873 850805.
A Night At The Movies: Heroes & Villains St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£22. Info 029 2087 8444. Cinematic theme music performed orchestrally, with the movies in question as a backdrop.
Belleville Gypsy Jazz Gwdihw, Cardiff. 9pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 7933.
Bernard Woma Cardiff University Concert Hall. 6.45pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Esteemed Ghanian xylophone player.
Birdcage Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199.
Christmas On Broadway Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £15/£13. Info 029 2039 1391. Festive songs from The Royal Welsh College Concert Orchestra and Only Men Aloud’s David Mahoney.
Cities + Boris A Bono + Joe Bayliss Cinema & Co, Swansea. 7.30pm, £4. Info 07981624959.
Diamond Nights Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £39. Info 029 2070 5391. With a five-course meal plus Jeff Phillips paying tribute to Neil Diamond.
Dirt The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £5. Info [email protected]. Alice In Chains tribute band.
Dual Control Plas Derwen, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853144. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Eden Root Reggae Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4/£2. Info 029 2038 7026. Also on Fri 13 Jan.
ESP The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Ian Thomas Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Like A Lion Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Marc Angel The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Moody Groover Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.
NosDa/Pi & Hash/Roundhead Christmas Bash NosDa, Cardiff. Free. Info 029 2037 8866. Two-day, all-day event featuring the following acts: Hip Route, The Kinky Wizzards, The Bakestones, Curious Orange, The Bastard Joe Kelly, Them By There, Sam Antonio Freeway, Tobias Robertson, Thoby Davies, Ilana Held, Lee Owen, Best Laid Plans and more. On tomorrow also.
Palm Honey + Rainbow Maniac The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info [email protected].
Purple Rain The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11 adv. Info 07590 471888. Prince tribute set. This is long sold out so they added two more dates on Mon 19 and Tue 20, both of which also sold out.
Royal Welsh College Festive Brass St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £7/£6 adv. Info 029 2087 8444.
Simon Trigg Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.
St Fagans Christmas Songsheet National History Museum, St Fagans. 6 + 7.30pm, £5.50. Info 029 2057 3500.
Talking Bird Collective Rose & Crown, Porthcawl. 9pm, free. Info 01656 784850. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Glory Of Christmas Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 7pm, £3.50-£8. Info 0800 0147111. With the Parc & Dare Band.
The Orb Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Ambient/techno/prog sorts. This is a live show, but see Clubs anyway.
The Tootsie Rollers Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8.30pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464.
Toriah Fontaine The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £10 adv. Info 01497 821762.
Trip The Switch Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965.
Void + Pilgrim + Genovese + Beth Blade & The Beautiful Disasters The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01495 213300. This is billed as a Rock N Roll Circus Xmas Charity Bash For Cancer Care Line and is on tomorrow also, with other bands.
Wall Street The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 8pm. Info 01685 387925. Wall Street are a covers band and this is their last ever gig.
Whiskey River Trio The Ivy Bush, Pontardawe. 8pm. Info [email protected]. A Valley Folk Club night.
saturday 10 december
Abba Gold Gwyn Hall, Neath. 8pm, £15. Info 0300 3656677. Tribute show.
Acid Reign + Shrapnel Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7pm, £15/£12.50 adv. Info www.hobosmusicvenue.com. Goofy UK thrash metallers of old, recently reformed, pop down.
*Alexander Hawkins / Elaine Mitchener Quartet Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8.30pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. Experimental jazz with an impressive pedigree.
Andy Fairweather-Low & The Low Riders Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £22.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555.
Aubrey Parsons The Penny Farthing, Cowbridge. 7.30pm, free. Info 01446 774999. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Blackhouse The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £2. Info 01685 387925. Covers.
Bute Chorus Concert Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.45pm, free. Info 029 2039 1391.
Calypso The Fairwater Hotel, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2033 3049. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Casio Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Celtic Pride The Patriot, Crumlin. 9.30pm. Info 01495 247178.
Chris Kelly The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Christmas Cabaret Evening Beaufort Theatre, Ebbw Vale. 8pm, £15. Info 01495 355800. Pop covers, a cold buffet and a glass of fizzy wine.
Christmas With Elvis Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £12. Info 01873 850805. Starring Keith Davies.
Crowsaw + Daylight Robbery + SKAM + Stone Broken + Fahran + Twisted Illusion + Fallen Temples + Kikamora The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01495 213300.
Explosive Light Orchestra Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 8pm, £15. Info 01685 384111. ELO tribute band.
Good Vibrations Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £39. Info 029 2070 5391. Beach Boys tribute. Five-course meal.
Hells Bells The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11 adv. Info 07590 471888. AC/DC tribute.
Huw Chidgey The Unicorn, Pontypool. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01495 751304. Playing the monthly music sessions ran by the folks who previously did Open Hearth Acoustic.
*Islet + Accu + 12 Drummers Drumming Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199. See Music. Also features a Cate Le Bon DJ set.
James Kennedy The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Jools Holland And His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7pm, from £43.50. Info 029 2022 4488.
Juice & Dave Parsons The Heath, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8/£5 kids. Info 029 2039 4207. A RUFF Ceilidh night, also featuring a guest spot from Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl Welsh Folk Dancers.
Junior Conservatoire Concert Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 5pm, £7.50/£4. Info 029 2039 1391.
Michael Leslie Ty Risha, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 725287. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Mike Dennis The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info [email protected].
Motor Lizzy + Everyday Hero Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 8pm, £2. Info 07981 684142. Motorhead and Thin Lizzy covers band who are playing a few places round here in December and January.
Music For Inner Peace Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2087 7959. Sri Chinmoy presents mantric music arranged with eastern and western instruments.
NosDa/Pi & Hash/Roundhead Christmas Bash NosDa, Cardiff. Free. Info 029 2037 8866.
Philomusica Of Aberystwyth Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £2-£9.50. Info 01970 623232.
Punchline Hen Dderwen, Sketty, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 203631. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Risca Choir Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 8pm, £7. Info 01633 868239.
Salvation Army Concert The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £5. Info 01495 355800.
Sigiriya + The Groundnuts + Independents + People And Other Diseases Mozarts, Swansea. 7pm, £3. Info 01792 649984.
Simon Parratt Courtyard, Newport. 3pm, free. Info 01633 213161.
Smiling Tigers + We Come From Ashes + Beneath The Divine The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info [email protected].
Soul Stripper Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £6/£5 adv. Info 01443 682388. AC/DC tribute band.
Strange Doors Ebbw Vale Institute. 7pm, £11. Info 01495 708022. Doors tribute band.
Surplus Winter Warmer The Roath Park, Cardiff. 2pm-2am, £7.50/£5 before 6. Info 01495 708022. Featuring the following: Drunk Floyd (techno), The Sporadics (punk), Lacertilia (psych), Gung Ho (punk), Hogslayer (sludge), Pizzatramp (punk), John Lewis (rockabilly), Clay Statues (punk), Monsterometer (rockabilly punk), Clusterfuck (electro) and Surplus DJs (all kindsa stuff).
The Shakes Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Promise Of Christmas St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3 + 7.30pm, £5-£13. Info 029 2087 8444. With the Cambrensis Choir & Orchestra.
The Special Brew + The Bungle Cult The Scene Club, Swansea. 8pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 07730 432166.
The Vibrators + Foreign Legion + Greazy Ratz The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30-10.30pm, £9 adv. Info [email protected].
Welsh Camerata Christmas Concert All Saints’ Church, Oystermouth, Swansea. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 01792 369971.
Whitehall Parade Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2089 0862.
sunday 11 december
Christmas With The Stars St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £24/£23. Info 029 2087 8444. Lesley Garrett and others sing songs from the musicals.
Christmas Village Quire The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 4pm, £8 adv. Info 01497 821762. Songs and stories in trad folk, er, tradition.
City Voices Cardiff St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £5-£13. Info 029 2087 8444. With City Voices Brass & Percussion plus organist Robert Court.
Folk Music & Song Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells. 4pm. Info 07477 627267. Every second and fourth Sunday of the month, except not on Christmas Day I wouldn’t have thought.
Heavy Quartet The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767.
Lissie + Teddy Thompson Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £20 adv. Info 0871 4720400. Country, pop and folk in roughly equal measure. See Music.
My Name Is Ian + Ivan & The Terribles + The Gentle Good + Little Arrow + Quiet Marauder Gwdihw, Cardiff. 4pm, £5. Info 029 2039 7933. Bubblewrap Records Christmas party.
Salvation Army Messiah Christmas Concert Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 6pm, £5. Info 01792 475715.
*Scrap Brain + Score + Van-illa Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30-10.30pm, £5. Info 029 2022 8883. DIY punk/hardcore/garage from The Joy Collective and Lesson No.1. Expect short sets here! Maybe the promoters will fill the time with some ripper tunes to dance to or something.
Steve Tamer Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Great Unknown The Windsor, Penarth. 9pm, free. Info 029 2070 8675.
Topette-Bal Noel Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8-10pm. Info 01239 841387. Anglo-French folkies.
Will Barnes Hot Club Trio Café Jazz, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £5. Info 029 2038 7026. Playing the monthly Hot Club Swing night.
monday 12 december
Astroid Boys + Neverland Clan + Grove Street Families + Sony Double 1 + Manga Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8. Info 029 2023 2199. See Clubs for more on this show. It’s a combo of live bands and grime/rap MCs, you see.
Bay City Rollers + Sweet + Dirty Harry Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £32.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Glam rock bonanza. Sweet are one of two versions of The Sweet currently touring, while Dirty Harry is a Blondie tribute band.
BBC NOW: Søndergård At Christmas Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2pm, £10-£12. Info 029 2063 6464. Conductor Thomas Søndergård with a programme of Prokofiev and more.
Ceredigion Schools Concert Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 1.45 + 7.30pm. Info 01970 623232.
Every Time I Die + 68 + Drug Church The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07590 471888. Gnarly hardcore/metal band from the States headline. This has been sold out for months.
Jango Haze Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Jazz, also here on Mon 26 Dec and Mon 2 Jan.
Monday Club 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883.
Placebo Newport Centre. 6.30pm, £27.50 adv. Info 01633 656757. First Welsh date in what must be… ages, to celebrate 20 years since their debut album. Ruddy heck. This has been sold out for months.
The Collective Big Band Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253.
The Computers + Atlas Wynd The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info [email protected]. Rock’n’roll punk sorts play gig rescheduled from last month.
Treorchy Comprehensive School Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 7pm, £3-£5. Info 0800 0147111. Annual Christmas concert.
Ukulele Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
University Of South Wales Live Bands Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2038 7026.
tuesday 13 december
AYDMS Christmas Concert The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £6. Info 01495 355800. Carols etc. On tomorrow also.
Community Samba Band – Practise Dates Westenders Hall, Llanfaes, Brecon. 6-8pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info [email protected].
Joel Frank + Rosie Bell + Ibex + Dimethoxy + Pipes Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. This is a new experimental art night called Fluxus, which strikes me as a slightly hubristic name to choose but hey.
Gwalia Singers Singleton Campus, Swansea University. 1-1.30pm. Info 01792 203392.
Himalayas + The Broadcasts Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199.
Into The Ark Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11. Info 029 2023 2199.
Messiah St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7.50-£39.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Handel’s renowned work performed by the BBC National Chorus Of Wales and the WNO Orchestra. In Swansea on Sun 18.
Only Men Aloud Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £25. Info 01970 623232.
Open Mic The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, free. Info 01497 821762.
Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Paul Hornsby Octet Dempseys, Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029 2023 9253.
The Memphis Six Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.
wednesday 14 december
A Christmas Concert Of Seasonal Music And Carols St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10-£13. Info 029 2087 8444. In aid of CLIC Sargent.
Aubrey Parsons The Retreat, Cardiff. Free. Info 029 2040 7987. Presented by Nailed It Events.
AYDMS Christmas Concert The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £6. Info 01495 355800.
Badfinger The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. See Upfront, I think.
Beartooth + Vanna + Trash Boat Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2023 5555.
Blues Duo Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Also on Wed 11 and Wed 18 Jan.
Chepstow Community Big Band with Phil Lee Thomas Whiteheads Sports & Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £8. Info [email protected]. South Wales Big Band Society Christmas gig; price includes a buffet.
Clay + Monico Blonde + Hvnter The Moon Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£3 adv. Info [email protected].
Eduardo Niebla The Wyeside, Builth Wells. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01982 552555. Big cheese Spanish guitarist.
Folk Night Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm. Info 01443 491424. Second Wednesday of every month.
Gwalia Singers Bay Campus, Swansea University. 1-1.30pm. Info 01792 203392.
Open Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863.
Paul Sawtell Quartet with Danny Moss Jr Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30-11pm, £10. Info 07802 912789.
Quicksilver Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.
Swinging 60s To The Sizzling 70s Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £39. Info 029 2070 5391. With a five-course meal plus Julia Martin hailing those two decades.
Status Quo + REO Speedwagon + The Lounge Kittens Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7pm, from £48. Info 029 2022 4488. This is supposed to be Quo’s last electric tour ever. I reckon they’ll go back on that though.
Talking Bird Collective The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 8pm, £2. Info 01685 387925.
The Dylan Project Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £18. Info 029 2023 2199. Bob Dylan tribute band, featuring two Fairport Convention members. Fairport >>> Dylan, just throwing that out there.
thursday 15 december
Abbaholics The Bear Hotel, Cowbridge. 8.30pm, free. Info 01446 774814. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Age Cymru Winter Concert Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7pm, £8-£15. Info 029 2039 1391. Featuring the Morriston Orpheus Choir, Academi Berfformio Caerdydd and guests.
Andrew Fawcett Quartet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026.
A Night Of Soul & Motown Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £39. Info 029 2070 5391. With a five-course meal plus music from Glen Leon.
Bad Manners The Neon, Newport. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 01633 533666.
*Chain Of Flowers + TV Crime + Disjoy The Moon Club, Cardiff. 8pm, £8/£6 adv. Info [email protected]. Noisy indie/dreamy punk locals. Good support bands too.
Dark Valley Revival The Unicorn, Pontypool. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01495 751304. Welsh bluegrass band.
Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £18. Info 029 2023 2199. American R&B veteran.
Granny’s Attic Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 858636. A Lyceum Folk Club night.
Please Mind Your Head Christmas Party Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199. Featuring these acts: Little Arrow, Farm Hand, Mike Dennis, Quiet Marauder, Gindrinker and DJ Ben Jah Meakin.
Sean McGowan Le Pub, Newport. 8pm, £7 adv. Info 01633 221477.
Starsailor Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £19.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555.
*Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats + Vodun The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13 adv. Info 07590 471888. See Muaic.
White Eskimo + Digital Criminals The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 07730 432166.
friday 16 december
360 Degrees Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Al Lewis & Friends Christmas Show St John’s Church, Canton, Cardiff. 7pm, £15/£12.50 adv. Info 029 2022 9683. Also featuring Carwyn Ellis and Lily Beau.
Arrival Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 8pm, £19.50/£17.50. Info 01686 614555. Abba tribute.
Aubrey Parsons The Penny Farthing, Cowbridge. 7.30pm, free. Info 01446 774999. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Bad Sam + Motor Lizzy The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £5. Info [email protected].
BBC NOW: Christmas Celebrations Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15-£20. Info 01792 475715. Conducted by Richard Balcombe.
Belleville Rouge Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Calypso Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Catrin Finch’s Classical Cafe Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv/£7.50 early bird. Info 029 2089 0862. Four emerging artists from the classical world each performing a 20 minute set in a relaxed environment.
Chris Kelly Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Cwmbach Male Choir Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 0800 0147111.
General Skank + Miss Mitten Small World Theatre, Cardigan. 8pm, £10. Info 01239 615952. Reggae, cabaret, Christmas.
Gulah The Moon Club, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Kill 66 The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm. Info 01495 213300. Metal covers.
Live Wire + Limehouse Lizzy Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £20 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. AC/DC and Thin Lizzy tributes.
Mamma Mia Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £39. Info 029 2070 5391. Abba tribute, five-course meal, on tomorrow also.
Marc Angel The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Martha Tilston The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 01497 821762.
Oddvar Johansen with Helge Lien & Torben Snekkestad Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8.30pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. Norwegian jazzers.
Paul Dark Plas Derwen, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853144. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Rhys James Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Shelter Cymru Christmas Concert Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7pm, £85. Info 029 2039 1391. Hosted by Bryn Terfel, Rebecca Evans, Only Boys Aloud and friends. That price gets you a pre-show reception and after-show party too.
Skalet The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info 07590 471888. Welsh ska band with what they claim is their final reunion gig.
Talking Bird Jazz Courtyard, Newport. 3pm, free. Info 01633 213161.
Talon Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £21. Info 01873 850805. Eagles tribute. On tomorrow also; in Aberystwyth on Sun 18.
The Amazing Blues Brothers The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Correspondents Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £9 adv. Info 01834 869323. Electroswing types.
The Firm Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965.
The Fugitives Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £4/£2. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues.
The Johnstown Flood The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info [email protected].
The Treatment Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info www.hobosmusicvenue.com.
The Whitefern Mountain String Band Miners’ Welfare Hall, Resolven. 8pm. Info www.facebook.com/whitefern-mountain-string-band-84010602197.
UB4D The Neon, Newport. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 01633 533666. UB40 tribute band.
saturday 17 december
Aberystwyth Choral Society Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £2-£12. Info 01970 623232. Performance of Tippett’s A Child Of Our Time.
BBC NOW: Christmas Celebrations St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£37. Info 029 2087 8444.
Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv/£25 VIP. Info 029 2023 5555.
Christmas With The Choir 2016 Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12. Info 0845 2263510. Featuring Côr Meibion Llanelli.
*Clutch + Valient Thorr + Lionize Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £20 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Doughty American heavy rockers play their biggest Welsh gig yet.
Dai Robs Christmas Special Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £7. Info 01686 614555.
John Paul Gard & Alex Hutchins The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767.
Kaine The Patriot, Crumlin. 9.30pm. Info 01495 247178. NWOBHM revival type band with three guitars. Might be decent.
Mad Dog McRae Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 8pm, £11. Info 029 2023 2199.
Mamma Mia Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £39. Info 029 2070 5391.
Mohwakestra The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info [email protected].
Motorheadache Fuel Bar, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info 07970 063107. Tribute band.
My Chemical Bromance The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm. Info 07730 432166. MCR tribute headline a night that also features tributes to A Day To Remember and Funeral For A Friend. They don’t have names yet though. Always assumed that with a tribute band you came up with the name first.
Off The Record Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Paige Kenzie Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Paul Dark Three Horse Shoes, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2069 4630. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Recluse + Greenmailer + Theme From Alex Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7.30pm, £4 adv. Info 01443 491424.
Sam Dowden The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £8 adv. Info 01497 821762.
Sarah Brown Ty Risha, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 725287. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Sendelica Drone Band + Spurious Transients Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, pay by donation. Info 07818 056599.
Simon Trigg The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Stars In Their Eyes Le Pub, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 221477. Twice-yearly cover band evening for charity.
Super Furry Animals + Ffug + Goldie Lookin Chain Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7pm, from £30. Info 029 2022 4488.
Talking Bird Collective Hen Dderwen, Sketty, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 203631. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Talon Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £21. Info 01873 850805.
Tarion Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Big What?! Band Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
The Blunders + Failed State, Regret + Laymens Terms + Trigger McPoopShute The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm. Info 01495 213300. Punk bands.
The Grass Snakes The Chattery, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01792 473276.
The Happenings Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965.
The Johnstown Flood The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info [email protected].
The Kansas Smitty’s Band Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2089 0862.
The UB40 Experience The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. Tribute band.
Troy Ellis And The Hail Jamaica Band Meze Lounge, Newport. 10pm, £5. Info 01633 259144. Playing as part of a Winter Ska Session that also features DJs spinning tunes across the genre’s history – INCLUDING ska-punk.
sunday 18 december
Affinity Female Voice Choir Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2 + 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2030 4400. Performing two special Christmas sets.
Carols For Christmas St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £5. Info 029 2087 8444. With the BBC National Chorus Of Wales and lots of primary school kiddies.
Chapter Four Jazz Quartet Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Jazz in the bar.
Dave Luke + Chuck Micallef Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £5-£8. Info 07818 056599. Country duo.
Drenge Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12.50. Info 029 2023 2199.
Glen Tilbrook The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16.50 adv. Info 07590 471888.
Korn + Limp Bizkit Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7pm, from £39.50. Info 029 2022 4488. Ironic Korn Purchase Leads To Non-Ironic Crowdsurf – The Onion
Messiah Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15. Info 01792 475715.
Steve Tamer Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Talon Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £22/£20. Info 01970 623232.
The Great Unknown The Windsor, Penarth. 9pm, free. Info 029 2070 8675.
The West End At Christmas The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 7pm, £8-£12. Info 01639 843163. Songs from musicals etc.
Welcome To Christmas 2016 Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £8/£7. Info 01873 850805. Sing along to some seasonal bangers.
monday 19 december
Groucho Club Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360.
Monday Club 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2022 8883.
Purple Rain The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11 adv. Info 07590 471888. Sold out.
Ukulele Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
tuesday 20 december
Bluesy Susie And The Hot 3 Muse Arts Centre, Brecon. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 07791 654799.
Community Samba Band – Practise Dates Westenders Hall, Llanfaes, Brecon. 6-8pm, £4/£2 under-16s. Info [email protected].
Ffug + Argrph + Adwaith Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, £4. Info 029 2039 7933.
Gwalia Singers Mumbles Pier, Swansea. 6pm. Info 01792 203392.
Open Mic The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, free. Info 01497 821762.
Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Opera Holloway The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info 01685 387925.
The Wessex New Orleans Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.
The West End At Christmas Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 2.30pm, £13/£11. Info 0845 2263510.
wednesday 21 december
All That Malarkey The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10-£12. Info 029 2048 3344. Comedic cabaret group
Andy Collins Open Mic Night Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Bandaoke Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
Ffi Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. New singer-songwriter.
Gimme Abba The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. Tribute set.
Himalayas + The Broadcasts + Parish Buffalo, Cardiff. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2031 0312.
Jeff Hooper & Alan Barnes Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 8pm, £11.50. Info 01656 815995.
Jelly Roll Jones Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.
Llantrisant Folk Club Christmas Party Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5. Info 01443 226892.
Open Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863.
Purple Rain The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11 adv. Info 07590 471888. Sold out.
The Cottle Brothers Jazzland, Swansea. 8.30-11pm, £13.50. Info 07802 912789. Christmas party evening.
thursday 22 december
Bad Manners The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07590 471888.
Cate Le Bon + Bas Jan + Alex Dingley Pizza Tipi, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £8-£15/free under-13s. Info 01239 612259. Cold At Night present a festive gig in their coalyard.
Christmas By Candlelight Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Performed by the Chamber Orchestra Of Wales.
Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636.
Red Morning Light + A Night Like This + Half Blind + New Age Banquets + I Digress The Scene Club, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 07730 432166.
Smooth Operator Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The 1975 Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 7pm, from £23. Info 029 2022 4488. Sold out.
The Riff Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2023 2199.
friday 23 december
Christmas By Candlelight Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7.30pm, £13.50. Info 01792 475715.
James Kennedy Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Keith Rock Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Lee Calaway Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Paige Kenzie Lamb & Flag, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 857611. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Palomino Party Undertone, Cardiff. 6-9pm. Info 029 2022 8883. Presented by Rotary Club.
Pull The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Rocket Joe Joe & The Old Time Bangers Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
The Hit Kings Kiwis, Cardiff. 10pm, free. Info 029 2039 8965.
The Semantics The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £2. Info 01685 387925.
Tommy & The Trouble The Full Moon, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info [email protected].
saturday 24 december
Chris John The Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Jon Paul The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 6pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Mr Fishy The Twelve Knights, Margam. 9pm, free. Info 01639 882381. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Sebastian The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The VIPs Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Presented by Nailed It Events.
monday 26 december
Bella Collins Band West End Club, Barry. 4.30-7pm. Info 07561 143114.
Gwd Mondays Open Mic Gwdihw, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933.
Paul Dark The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 3pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Jango Haze with Leila McKenzie Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360.
Rachel B The Fairwater Hotel, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2033 3049. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Sonic Boom The Patriot, Crumlin. 9.30pm. Info 01495 247178.
Steve Tamer Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. Free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Talking Bird Collective Rose & Crown, Porthcawl. 9pm, free. Info 01656 784850. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Underdogs Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Presented by Nailed It Events.
tuesday 27 december
2 Rude Riverside Tavern, Newport. 7.30pm, £7 adv. Info 01633 439166.
wednesday 28 december
Open Jam Session The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.
Open Mic Market Street Club, Barry. 8pm. Info 01446 733863.
Tom Auton + Owain Whatley + Albino Frogs The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 8.30pm. Info 01685 387925. Hosted by U&I Radio.
thursday 29 december
Chroma + Hyll + Cadno Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4. Info 029 2023 2199.
Midnight Black + The Last But One Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5. Info 01443 682388.
Open Mic Night Lyceum Tavern, Newport. 8.30pm. Info 01633 858636.
friday 30 december
Andy & Gos Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 234447. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Paul Ashton Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 9pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Pauline Kaytannau Wood The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Bowie Experience The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. Tribute set.
saturday 31 december
2 Rude The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Ska and 2-tone tribute band play and there’ll be DJs until late as well.
Albino Frogs The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, £20. Info 01600 712767. That price gets you a three-course Indian meal and some champagne at midnight.
Alive & Kickin Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194. Presented by Nailed It Events.
A Night At The Musicals Hamptons, Penarth. 7.30pm, £85. Info 029 2070 5391. Samantha Link sings songs from film and stage while a SEVEN-course meal is served.
Claire M The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Johnny Cage & The Voodoogroove + Junior Bill + Milk Sully’s Yard, Cardiff. 7pm-4am, £15 adv Info info@
thefullmooncardiff.com. Headliners are launching an album apparently, and their Voodoo Revue will feature lots of other jolly things.
Jumpin’ Jimmy & The Nice Guys Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@
porterscardiff.com. Hats off to Porter’s for being the first people to send me a NYE listing whose text specifically plays on what a shitheap of a year 2016 has been.
Kamikazee Millionaires The Patriot, Crumlin. 9pm, £7. Info 01495 247178.
Phil Campbell All Starr Band The Muni, Pontypridd. 8.30pm, £22. Info 01443 490390. This time last year Lemmy out of Motörhead had just died, so the band’s guitarist Campbell probably didn’t have the best NYE. For 2016, though, he’ll be whooping it up with a set of ‘Head gems plus various other rock classics thrown in.
Rocket Joe Joe & The Old Time Bangers + Marie Batchelder The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 7.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Soho Sopranos The Windsor, Penarth. 9pm, free. Info 029 2070 8675.
The Acoustix The Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Presented by Nailed It Events.
The Moon Birds The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £15. Info 01685 387925. Ticket price also gets you a buffet of the finest snacks available in Merthyr.
The Silver Surfers Rose & Crown, Porthcawl. 9pm, free. Info 01656 784850. Presented by Nailed It Events.
Up The Creek The Old Inn, Swanaea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 894097. Presented by Nailed It Events.