M = music / F = film / S = Stage/comedy/literature / FF = Family-friendly / A = Activity
LET’S ROCK WALES – M
Tredegar Park, Newport. Sat 1 June
The UK’s biggest retro festival lands in Wales for the first time with a host of big names from the eighties. Doors open at 11am and the entertainment will continue, non-stop, until 10.30pm. VIP and ‘Posh Toilet’ tickets are also available, usefully for those of us permanently scarred by festival facilities. Fancy dress is optional!
Who: Billy Ocean, Midge Ure, Jason Donovan, Toyah
How much: from £36/free under-12s
Info: www.letsrockwales.com
AMSERJAZZTIME FESTIVAL
Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff, Thurs 6-Sun 9 June
With the RWMCD celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, its annual celebration of all things jazz has an extra edge to it this year, with the programme comprising of College alumni. With a mixture of events in the Dora Stoutzker Hall and in the foyer, highlights include Huw Warren’s collaboration with Jovino Santo Neto from Brazil – a fusion of jazz and Brazilian influences.
Who: Hannah Grace, Snowpoet, Atlas ft. Sara Colman
How much: some events free, others £6-£12.
Info: www.rwcmd.ac.uk
GOTTWOOD FESTIVAL – M
Carreglwyd, Anglesey. Thurs 6-Sun 9 June
Nestled in the woods of Anglesey and on its 10th edition for 2019, this old-skool rave-style electronic music and arts festival aims to recapture the old days of jumping out into the darkness with your mates and avin’ it al fresco, albeit without the threat of imminent police shutdown. There’s boutique and public camping on site, so you won’t even have to get out of bed to join in the party.
Who: Andrew Weatherall, Egyptian Lover, Margaret Dygas, Hunee
How much: £192
Info: www.gottwood.co.uk
ZIP WORLD ROCKS 2019 – M/A
Penrhyn Quarry, Snowdonia. Sat 15 June
The slate quarry of Penrhyn holds an array of acts, all performing in aid of Mike Peters of The Alarm’s Love Hope Strength Foundation. The event is curated by Peters; VIP tickets let you hang out with him and the rest of the stars of the show backstage.
Who: Cast, Mike Peters, Miles Hunt
How much: £25
Info: www.zipworld.co.uk/zip-world-rocks-2019
ROCK THE CASTLE – M/FF
Pembroke Castle. Fri 21 + Sat 22 June
Now in its sixth year of rocking castle foundations, the two nights of the festival are set to include Sister Sledge, Status Quo and Bonnie Tyler. But be quick – Friday day tickets are already sold out.
Who: Status Quo, Bonnie Tyler, Dr Feelgood, Sister Sledge
How much: from £45
Info: www.pembrokecastle.co.uk/events-page/rtc
TAFWYL – M/S/FF
Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Sat 15-Sun 23 June
Annual Welsh-language arts and culture festival, held in Cardiff Castle and subject to glowing reviews since debuting in 2006. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the Welsh language, whether as a native speaker, a learner, or a curious face, then you can’t go far wrong with Tafwyl and its diverse bill.
Who: TBC
How much: Free
Info: www.tafwyl.org
GREGYNOG FESTIVAL – M
Gregynog Hall, Newtown. Sat 22-Sun 30 June
World-class classical performances in the gorgeous settings of the Music Room at Powys’ Gregynog Hall. This year’s lineup includes an all-Bach programme from rising early music stars A Nocte Temporis and tenor Reinoud Van Mechelen, who will be making Welsh debut appearances.
Who: A Nocte Temporis and tenor Reinoud Van Mechelen
How much: varies per event
Info: www.gwylgregynogfestival.org
CARDIFF OPEN AIR THEATRE FESTIVAL – S/FF
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Thurs 27 June-Sat 3 Aug
More than a month long, this year’s lineup includes runs of {Hi-De-Hi!}, {Jesus Christ Superstar}, {Much Ado About Nothing}, and {The Little Mermaid}. There will also be plenty of other cool stuff going on, too, such as Stand Up In The Park and Cinema In The Park.
Who: {Jesus Christ Superstar}, {Hi-De-Hi}, open air cinema
How much: £14-£18
Info: www.cardiffopenairtheatrefestvial.co.uk
GOWER FESTIVAL – M
Various venues, Swansea and the Gower. Mon 1-Sat 13 July
A stalwart of the Welsh classical calendar, the Gower Festival is now older than many of the musicians who take part in it. Each nightly event takes place in a distinguished building, most of them beautiful churches or chapels. These wonderful venues help to heighten the experience of the music, creating immersive, unique evenings you won’t want to miss.
Who: Llyr Williams, Christian Li and Gordon Back, Ji Liu
How much: £10-£25 per event
Info: www.gowerfestival.org
LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFODD – M/FF
Various venues, Llangollen. Mon 1-Sun 7 July
The Llangollen International Music Eiesteddfod has been running since 1947 and now boasts 4,000 performers and thousands more visitors, including the prestigious Choir Of The World competition. It all culminates in Llanfest, a big shindig on the Sunday, which this year will feature such names as The Fratellis and The Pigeon Detectives.
Who: Catrin Finch, Jools Holland, Rolando Villazon, Gipsy Kings
How much: £12-£49 per event
Info: www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk
FOLK ON THE LAWN – M/FF
Abbey Mill, Tintern. Thurs 11-Sun 14 July
Fuelled entirely by the goodwill of the UK folk scene, for a small homespun festival Folk On The Lawn exhibits a strong lineup of signed and independent folk artists. With Abbey Mill in Tintern hosting the event, you’ll be well looked after with various shops and food stalls to take in alongside the music.
Who: The Shackleton Trio, Whitehall Parade, Mud On The Tyres
How much: Thursday TBC, Friday-Sunday pay-what-you-want
Info: www.folkonthelawn.com
DEPOT IN THE CASTLE – M
Cardiff Castle. Fri 12 + Sat 13 July
Depot In The Castle was one of the highlights of 2018, turning the grounds of Cardiff Castle into one huge party, and with Clean Bandit and Tom Odell already confirmed to headline this year’s event and more to come, we can expect an even better festival this year. Plenty of street food stalls onsite to boot.
Who: Tom Odell, Clean Bandit
How much: £41.50 adult/£23.90 12-17-year-olds/£6 under-12s
Info: www.depotinthecastle.com/
FEELS LIKE SUMMER – M
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Sat 20 July
A new event taking place in Sophia Gardens this July, Bananarama and Bonnie Tyler were first to be announced as playing. S Club and Liberty X have since been confirmed, ditto 90s exercise doyen Mr Motivator. If that wasn’t enough to entice you, there will also be a roller disco and loads of street food stalls.
Who: Bananarama, Bonnie Tyler, Liberty X
How much: £49.50
THE BIG CHEESE – FF/A
Caerphilly Castle. Fri 26-Sun 28 July
The Big Cheese has undergone a bit of a makeover for 2019 and promises to feature three huge food halls of street vendors, local food and drink and a dedicated cheese market. There will a full program of live music in the bar and, being as it all takes place in the middle of Caerphilly Castle, it would be rude not to have a medieval re-enactment too.
Who: Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band, The Red Hot Pokers
How much: free
Info: www.bigcheesecaerphilly.co.uk
GLASTONBARRY – M
Romilly Park, Barry. Fri 26-Sun 28 July
The great thing about tribute acts is that they present the best version of their subject matter. If you watch AC/DC at GlastonBARRY this year for instance, you aren’t watching four balding old fellas struggling to get around the stage. No, you’ll see a sprightly Angus Young skipping around stage as he did in his heyday. Close your eyes and believe you’re listening to Freddie Mercury, via Queen tribute Flash, or a reunited ABBA. Have the Gallagher brothers stopped feuding for a gig in a park in Barry, or is that Oas-ish? And so forth. This year, the kids can get involved on the Friday, with GlastonBARRY Juniors featuring the likes of Rhianna, Little Mix and Ed Sheeran.
Who: ABBA, Oasis, Queen (homages to)
How much: £34 weekend/£60 VIP
Info: www.mackeventspresents.com
LLANDUDNO JAZZ FESTIVAL – M
Bodafon Fields, Llandudno. Fri 26-Sun 28 July
The Llandudno Jazz Festival is a great place to be for jazz fans and the 2019 edition is promising to be the best yet – already confirmed are Zoe Rahman, Tony Kofi and Ian Shaw with Dave Newton Trio. Overlooking Llandudno Bay, there are camping facilities if you are so inclined.
Who: Zoe Rahman, Tony Kofi, Ian Shaw with Dave Newton Trio
How much: £138 weekend/£50 per day
Info: www.llandudnojazzfestival.com
STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL – M
Hafod Y Dafal Farm, Ebbw Vale, Fri 26-Sun 28 July
Returning for its ninth year, the Steelhouse Festival and its hardworking organisers have put together a stellar line up of classic rock and metal once again. After their triumphant 2016 set, Thunder make another trip up the mountain for a UK festival exclusive, while the latterday incarnation of Thin Lizzy close the weekend while toasting the 40th anniversary of their {Black Rose} LP. Special guests this year come in the form of funk-rock legends Living Colour and The Temperance Movement, with Massive Wagons heading up the opening night’s festivities.
Who: Massive Wagons, Thunder, Thin Lizzy
How much: £95 weekend/£60 per day
Info: www.steelhousefestival.com
MONMOUTH FESTIVAL – M/FF
Chippenham Fields, Monmouth. Sat 27 July-Mon 4 Aug
Changes afoot for this nine-day event, whose main stage is moving to Chippenham, or Chippy Fields as locals refer to it. With acts still to be confirmed, but expect a smorgasbord of pop and rock acts alongside the classical programme. It’s family-friendly, it’s fun and it’s free.
Who: TBC
How much: free
Info: www.monmouthfestival.co.uk
MUSICFEST – M/FF
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Sat 27 July-Sun 3 Aug
Mixing learning with performance, Musicfest Aberystwyth combines a full programme of recitals with the opportunity to sign up for tuition in a multitude of instruments, all on the beautiful coastline of Cardigan Bay.
Who: TBC
How much: Prices vary per event
