The second part of our Festival Guide – covering all the best parties, events, and celebrations from June to July. Compiled by Fedor Tot and Elisha Wescott.
SWANSEA JAZZ FESTIVAL (MUSIC)
Various venues, Maritime Quarter, Swansea
Thurs 14-Sun 17 June
What: The Swansea Jazz Festival supplies more than 50 events taking place in the Swansea Maritime Quarter. With a focus on the local venues that make up Swansea’s vibrant music scene, the Dylan Thomas Theatre will host the ticketed concerts with a diverse programme of jazz music, featuring artists from USA, Europe and Australia.
Who: Laurence Cottle Big Band, Derek Nash, Noel McCalla and more.
How much: £10-£25
Info: www.jazzwales.com
CARDIFF FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL (ART/THEATRE/MUSIC)
Various venues, Cardiff
Thurs 31 May-Fri 16 June
What: The CFTF celebrates the community of independent artists on the fringe, if you will, of Cardiff’s entertainment industry. Aiming to bring artists together in order to learn from each other, in 2017 the festival featured 32 performances from 15 theatre companies across 11 venues. Many shows also sold out last year, so don’t dawdle with the tickets.
Who: TBC
How much: events free; theatre performances vary in price but there’s a £10 cap
Info: www.cardifffringetheatrefestival.co.uk
FIRE IN THE MOUNTAIN (MUSIC)
Aberystwyth
Fri 1-Sun 3 June
What: Located on an ancient farm between the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains and the coast of Cardigan Bay, Fire In The Mountain sounds like a heck of an atmosphere, even before knowing anything more of the festival itself. It’s a small-scale folk music weekender, with several dozen acts usually investigating new projects, enhancing the festival’s desire to provide an intimate, otherworldly atmosphere.
Who: Sam Amidon, Martin Simpson, Lankum, Martha Tilston
How much: £125 weekend/£50 under-18s/£30 under-13s/£35 per day
Info: www.fireinthemountain.co.uk
GOTTWOOD FESTIVAL (MUSIC)
Carreglwyd, Holyhead, Anglesey
Thurs 7-Sun 10 June
What: A mystical little party hidden in the middle of the woods, perfect for those who love being surrounded by nature, good music and outgoing people. From druids to dance, this critically-acclaimed, independent, boutique and intimate underground electronic music festival is looking more ambitious than ever before. With a host of different DJs and artists on offer, one of the most talked-about Welsh festivals is ready to deliver again for 2018.
Who: Ben UFO, Jackmaster, Maragret Dygas, Jasper James, Sonja Moonear and more.
How much: £165
Info: www.gottwood.co.uk
FESTIVAL OF VOICE (MUSIC/ART/THEATRE)
Various venues, Cardiff
Thurs 7-Sun 17 June
What: An international arts festival in Wales’ capital city that aims to celebrate the voice in all its form. The festival claims “the voice is something that transcends culture and language. It’s primal; it brings us together whether we’re happy or melancholy…” Appropriate, then that it’s held in Wales, with its historic connection with song and the power of the voice. With a brave and imaginative programme incorporating contemporary rock and pop, classical music, opera, theatre, talks and visual art, the Festival of Voice also hopes to encourage young people to express themselves through their creative learning programmes, and make their voices heard.
Who: Patti Smith, Gruff Rhys, Passenger, Billy Bragg, Nadine Shah, A Filetta, Elvis Costello & The Imposters.
How much: £16-£40 per event
Info: www.festivalofvoice.wales
BEYOND THE BORDER STORYTELLING FESTIVAL (LITERATURE/STAGE/FAMILY FRIENDLY)
St Donat’s Castle, Vale Of Glamorgan
Fri 9 + Sat 10 June
What: Set in the beautiful coastal confines of St Donat’s Castle, this biannual celebration of the power of stories aims to promote the possibilities of the imagination. With a wide variety of performers, speakers and storytellers from all over the world – be it Italy or India, Scandinavia or Palestine – this is certain to be one of the most homely and relaxed offerings this summer.
Who: Joanne Harris, Robin Williamson, Smita Bellur
How much: £75/£45 per day
Info: www.beyondtheborder.com
BARRY ISLAND TRANSPORT FESTIVAL (ACTIVITY/FAMILY-FRIENDLY)
Barry Island
Sun 10 June
What: Calling all car and history fanatics, Barry Island Transport Festival is the place to be this summer! With classic cars and heritage buses and coaches dating as far back as 1915, this festival showcases vintage collections of transportation from over many years, with the added option of free heritage bus trips.
How much: free
Info: www.classiccarshowsuk.co.uk/events
GREGYNOG FESTIVAL (ART/MUSIC)
Gregynog Hall, Tregynon, Powys
Mon 18-Sat 30 June
What: Country grounds, historic grounds, art: the Gregynog Festival is back again for another year of international creativity. Dating back to 1933, this is the oldest classical music festival in Wales, and never fails to supply a relaxing atmosphere full of beautiful art and music. The rich history and tradition that grounds Gregynog Festival gives it a different feel to other classical music festivals, with this year’s focus being primarily on women – whether as composers, performers or artists – to mark 100 years since the Representation Of The People Act in 1918.
Who: TBC
How much: TBC
Info: www.gregynogfestival.org
CARDIFF OPEN AIR THEATRE FESTIVAL (MUSIC/THEATRE/ACTIVITY/FAMILY-FRIENDLY)
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Thurs 22 June-Sat 29 July
What: Formerly known as the Everyman Open Air Theatre Festival, which began in 1983, this celebration of the stage now attracts over 20,000 people over its month-and-a-bit tenure. Now based in Sophia Gardens, CAOTF caters to all demographics; kids and grownups alike, with performances that capture the art of theatre and fingers crossed in the sunshine (or so we hope). This year’s edition will host a production of Shakespeare’s The Merchant Of Venice, musical performances, family shows suitable for young children and a light entertainment/comedy strand, alongside food and drinks from The Grazing Shed.
Who: The Merchant Of Venice, Fiddler On The Roof, Dad’s Army
How much: varies
Info: www.cardiffopenairtheatrefestival.co.uk
TAFWYL (FAMILY-FRIENDLY/ART/MUSIC)
Cardiff Castle
Sat 30 June + Sun 1 July
What: A family-friendly festival aimed at Welsh speakers in Cardiff, Tafywl is full of local stalls, children’s area, workshops and four stages. Established in 2006 to celebrate the Welsh language in Cardiff, this year looks to be as big as ever: over 30,000 people attended last year’s edition in Llandaff Fields. With arts and culture as the main focal point of this festival, it promises creativity and fun for all, non-Welsh speakers included.
Who: TBC
How much: free
Info: www.tafwyl.org
GOWER FESTIVAL (MUSIC)
Various venues, Gower, Swansea
Mon 2-Sat 14 July
What: Established in 1976 by cellist Jonathan Beecher, the Gower Festival centres around hymns and ecclesiastical music. Taking place in several different churches, there is also an ulterior motive here: getting both locals and tourists out of the city to enjoy the stunning countryside on offer in the Gower.
Who: Elin Manahan Thomas and Brian Ellsbury, Amy Harman and Tom Poster, Audrey Lebedev and Lotte Betts-Dean, Leon McCawley, Sacconi Quartet
How much: £5-£15
Info: www.gowerfestival.org
LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFOD (MUSIC)
Various venues, Llangollen
Thurs 3-Sun 8 July
What: The picturesque town of Llangollen has been host to this cultural festival since 1947, which now attracts over 4,000 performers every year and 50,000 visitors. Spreading a message of peace and goodwill in an international context, through the medium of song and dance, this is one of the more overlooked festivals in Wales.
Who: Kaiser Chiefs, Van Morrison, The Hoosiers
How much: £1-£12
Info: www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk
GLASS BUTTER BEACH (MUSIC)
Llanbedrog, Abersoch
Fri 13-Sun 15 July
What: One of the big guns in the Welsh music festival arsenal, Glass Butter Beach hosted names like Wolf Alice, Kodaline and Katy B in 2016, but took a break the following year – citing the predicted tides, which as a costal festival with a strong water sports element looked likely to cause issues, and a general wish to tweak certain operational elements. It’s back for 2018, though, and three days of paddleboarding, surfing, street food, drinks, music and dance makes this one a winner.
Who: TBC
How much: TBC
Info: www.glassbutterbeach.com
WELSHFEST (MUSIC)
Coedarhydyglyn Park, St. Nicholas, Cardiff
Fri 27-Sun 29 July
What: An outdoor weekender, making its debut this year just outside the Welsh capital. The bill encompasses rock, indie, ska, pop, blues, folk, classical, house and techno, plus family activities and a Talent Cymru event, where bands and rising artists will get a chance to show their chops. Grab the early bird tickets while you can!
Who: Goldie Lookin Chain, Kizzy Crawford, Buffalo Summer, Sian Evans
How much: £12-£45 weekend/ £8-£25 per day
Info: www.welshfest.com
MONMOUTH FESTIVAL (MUSIC/FAMILY-FRIENDLY)
Various venues, Monmouth
Fri 27 July-Sat 4 Aug
What: Featuring country, folk, pop and dance music, over nine days there’s always a great atmosphere at this town-centre festival. It’s also free admission all the way, so definitely one of the better choices for those on a budget.
Who: TBC
How much: free
Info: www.monmouthfestival.co.uk
LLANDUDNO JAZZ (MUSIC)
Various venues, Llandudno
Fri 27-Sun 29 July
What: Turning four this year, Llandudno Jazz has already been highlighted by many as one of the best lower-key fests in the UK. The weekend is filled with a wide mix of modern and contemporary jazz from a range of different artists, whilst Llandudno’s beautiful seafront adds to the atmos.
Who: Claire Martin, Iain Ballamy, Huw Warren, Gilad Atzmon
How much: £138 weekend/£50 per day
Info: www.llandudnojazzfestival.com
STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL (MUSIC)
Hafod-y-Dafal Farm, Brecon Beacons
Sat 28 + Sun 29 July
What: Revered among hard rock and classic metal heads, Steelhouse is a two-day mountainside gem priced at an affordable £95, and retaining a grassroots feel lacking in many bigger UK festivals. Officially the highest UK festival – we’re talking actual altitude here, folks – and held, as ever, on the last weekend of July, this year’s edition, Steelhouse’s seventh, has an impressive lineup. The epic pipes of rock survivor Glenn Hughes will ring out on the Saturday, as he’s here to perform an exclusive set of classics from the band he fronted in the 70s Deep Purple; while latter-day arena-fillers Black Star Riders top the bill on the Sabbath.
Who: Black Star Riders, Quireboys, The Wildhearts, Glenn Hughes, King King
How much: £95/£60 per day
Info: www.steelhousefestival.com
GLASTONBARRY (MUSIC)
Romilly Park, Barry
Sat 28 + Sun 29 July
What: Disappointed that 2018 is one of Glastonbury’s fallow years, when Eavis family takes a break to potter around their farm? Howsabout visiting the Vale for Glastonbarry, a festival made exclusively out of the UK’s top tribute acts; previous years have seen facsimiles of Arctic Monkeys, Michael Jackson and Bob Marley headline proceedings. Based at Romilly Park, just minutes away from Barry Island, this festival promises your favourite bands, include some who are too dead to play, at an agreeable price.
Who: Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Robbie Williams (in tribute form)
How much: £30
Info: www.glastonbarry.com