Rufus Wainwright exclusive Cardiff preview

Rufus Wainwright releases his new album 'All Days Are Nights - Songs For Lulu' 5th April. In the meantime Wainwright devotees can hear an exclusive playback of the album in Cardiff on Thursday 11th March at The Promised Land, 4 Windsor Place. This is a first come first served event so email renegade@musichouse.co.uk to reserve your place.

Macca at the Stadium

Sir Paul McCartney will be touring the UK this Summer including an appearance at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium 26th June. Tickets will be on sale from 8th March.

http://www.paulmccartney.com/

Duke Special May tour

Peter Wilson AKA Irish genius Duke Special will be touring in May including a date at the Cardiff Glee Club 12th May. The Duke's new album'The Stage, A Book & The Silver Screen' is released 8th March.

Soundproofing due at the Globe

The Globe in Cardiff looks set to complete the soundproofing work needed to secure its future.The Globe Manager Gwyn Thomas said:

“Its been one hell of a ride here at the globe in the past few weeks, we’ve had a huge push for donations, we’ve had lots of electrical problems which have resulted in cancelling some shows but we have also had some great shows inc Peter Green, Courtney Pine, Bad Manners + The Stop Motion Men. But we made it. The Globe now has the finances to undertake the construction work to soundproof our venue. A massive massive thank you to all who have donated. We really couldn’t have done it without you. The builders are due to start on site Monday 1st march and the work is set to last aprox two weeks. We then have one week of testing followed by a few days for all the legal licensing stuff then we aim to be back late march or first week of April. We will be hosting a huge FREE Globe relaunch party as a thankyou for all your loyal continued support. Details to be announced shortly."

Joanna Newsom Headlines Sunday Night at Greenman

Joanna Newsom has been announced as Sunday's Headliner at this year's Green Man Festival. Newsom is a Greenman regular and her new album 'Have One On Me' has been receiving 5 star reviews left right and centre. Joining Joanna as new additions are:

* The Unthanks
* First Aid Kit
* Fionn Regan
* Voice of the Seven Thunders

The festival takes place 20-22nd August.

http://www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk/

Wakestock Acts Announced

The first acts have been announced for Wakestock 2010 which takes place 2-4th July in Abersoch.MAXÏMO PARK have been confirmed as our first headliner to be announced for this years event. Other acts alkready announced include N-DUBZ & Mr Hudson.

www.wakestock.co.uk

Gareth Pearson Signs to Stateside Label

Guitar virtuoso Gareth Pearson has signed to American independent label Candyrat Records whose roster includes Andy McKee and Don Ross. This is a double reason to celebrate as Gareth is the first non-American to be signed to the label. His first album is due early next year. Newsoundwales is working with Gareth on an event taking place in May 2010. More news to follow soon…..

Swn – Way on High

SWN look set to be hosting a night at this year’s Hay-on Wye literary festival which runs from 27th May – 6th June. Artists pencilled in for their event, which takes place on Saturday 5th June, include King Creosote, Sweet Baboo and Muchu.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4092758555

Pet Shop Boys? Absolutely!

Pet Shop Boys will be making a rare appearance in Wales when they play Cardiff Arena as part of their critically acclaimed ‘Pandemonium’ tour on Wednesday 21st July. Having sold over 100 million records and had over 40 top 30 hits since 1986 Pet Shop Boys are one of the UK’s most successful and long lasting recording artists.

http://www.petshopboys.co.uk/

Robyn Hitchcock @ the Globe

Legendary former Soft Boy, who invariably writes songs about death, sex and eating, plays the Globe in Cardiff 17th April.

http://www.robynhitchcock.com/

We Can Save the Globe!

Cardiff’s leading live venue has asked the public for help with raising the £25,000 required to complete the soundproofing work that needs to be done if they are to win their appeal over noise complaints from local residents. If you would like to donate you can send cheques payable to A.D.Jones to The Globe, 125 Albany Road, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3NS or donate online at paypal using the email info@theglobecardiff.com

Too Good Not To Repeat

After the triumph of last year's performance of 'Paris 1919' at the Cardiff Coal Exchange, John Cale will be performing the piece again with the Heritage Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, London on Friday 5th March.

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/search/results/john%20cale

Hidden Cameras @ The Gate

Canada's leading indie band The hidden Cameras have announced a UK tour including a date at The Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff 22nd March. With their reputation for live performance and 2009's stunning album 'Origin:Orphan' this looks set to be one of the live highlights of the year.

http://www.thehiddencameras.com/
http://www.thegate.org.uk/

Beirut & Bragg Go Green

Beirut and Billy Bragg wil be appearing at this year’s Green Man Festival taking place 20th – 22nd August. They will be appearijng alongside Field Music & The Flaming Lips.

http://www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk

Here Comes The Son

James McCartney, son of Sir Paul, will be appearing at Cardiff’s Barfly 20th March. Playing songs from his new album inspired by – surprise surprise - the Beatles, but also Nirvana, the Cure and Radiohead. James McCartney’s album is due out later this year.

http://www.barflyclub.com/

Kate loses her fight

Kate McGarrigle has died at the age of 63 from clear cell sarcoma. Kate was best known for the singing partnership with her sister Anna. She was married to Loudon Wainwright and mother to Rufus and Martha Wainwright. Since being diagnosed with cancer she helped raise awareness of the illness and funds for research. She made her last appearance alongside her family at the Albert Hall in December at the 'Not So Silent Night' concert which raised $55,000 for the fund. Newsoundwales was lucky enough to see this perfromance, one of our highlights of 2009, and you can read our review in the live review 2009 archive.

http://www.mcgarrigles.com/

Spring Tour for Cerys

Cerys Matthews heads out on a UK tour in April. She wil also releases a new single "Into the Blue" 22nd February. Welsh dates on the tour are:

7th April Wrexham, Glendwr University

12th April Cardiff, Glee Club

13th April Newport, Riverfront Theatre

14th April Builth Wells, Wyeside Arts Centre

16th April Llanelli, Elli Theatr

18th April Aberystwyth Arts Centre

www.cerysmatthews.co.uk

Sterophonics kick off live music at Cardiff City Stadium

Wales' premier league rock band the Stereophonics will become the first band to play at the Cardiff's news football stadium on Saturday June 5th. Tickets cost 35 pounds and go on sale 22nd January.

Welsh mini tour for Cate

Cate le Bon has announced a short Welsh tour taking in 4 dates around the country beginning at the end of Febraury. These are:

* Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff 27th February
* Constitution Hill Cafe, Aberwystwyth 1st March
* Rascals, Bangor 2nd March
* Central Station Wrexham 3rd March

Jimi Alexander & the Satellites Go West

Our breakthrough Act of 2009, Jimi Alexander & the Satellites, have been invited to appear at this year’s prestigious SXSW (South by South West) festival in March. This annual event held in Texas attracts over 1400 performers and is considered one of the most prestigious of its kind. SXSW attracts world wide attention and in the past has seen the likes of Fleet Foxes take off. In the meantime the band will be playing Buffalo in Cardiff January 11th with Country Mile label mates The Ash & the Oak.

Storys reach the final chapter

Swansea band The Storys have decided to call it a day after 6 years together. The band featured vocalist Steve Balsamo and their debut album released in 2006 received critical acclaim and international sales. They were also heavily played by the likes of Bob Harris who became one of the band’s most vocal supporters. Disappointingly the follow up ‘Town Beyond the Trees’ in 2008 failed to harness the band’s reputation or sales and the band have decided now is the right time to end the story. However, the band is going out in style with a farewell gig at the Swansea Grand 19th June.