Gruff at Chapter

Gruff Rhys will be joined by North Wales surf band Y Niwl for a special intimate gig to coincide with Phil Collins' contribution to Artes Mundi 5 at Chapte rArts Centre, Cardiff on Sunday 16th December. They will recreate the soundtrack for the performance and installation This Unfortunate Thing Between Us (TUTBU TV) in which they starred as the in-house band. Bydd y band ‘surf' o ogledd Cymru Y Niwl yn ymuno â Gruff Rhys am gig arbennig i gyd-fynd â chyfraniad Phil Collins i Artes Mundi 5. Byddant yn ail-greu’r trac sain ar gyfer y perfformiad a’r gosodwaith This Unfortunate Thing Between Us (TUTBU TV) lle y buont yn serennu fel ‘band y tŷ’. To buy tickets go to: http://www.chapter.org/

Springtime Glee for Mason

Willy Mason will be heading back to Cardiff for his third visit in less than 2 years when he plays the Cardiff Glee Club Tuesday 5th March. This will sell out before Christmas so you are advised to get booking now. http://www.willymason.net/

'Circle Game' comes to Penarth

Following the success of the first 'Songwriters' Circle' concert held in Penarth in September, event organisers/songwriters Christopher Rees, John Lewis and Nick Treharne were so overwhelmed by the response that they have decided to spread the net a little wider and invite other celebrated songwriters from Wales and beyond to take part. The Nashville styled 'Songwriters' Circle' will now become a bi-monthly event that showcases the craft of song-writing in its' original and pure acoustic form and provides the audience with an intimate insight into the songs and the artists behind them. “It seems we hit the right note with music lovers seeking a quality musical experience”, said John. “So we’ve invited another three exciting acts to perform at the next concert at All Saints Church Hall on Friday 14th December. Enterprising video company, Video Wales, will also be there to record the show for broadcast via a new arts internet TV channel”. With fans in high places, Cardiff duo Zervas & Pepper have been filling the airwaves on BBC Radio 2 (Terry Wogan, Janice Long) with their breathtaking vocal harmonies and classic 'West Coast' acoustic sound. A 'Sold Out' performance at the recent 'Swn Festival' confirmed their ascendency and captivating appeal. Regarded in certain circles as 'Wales’ most underrated singer-songwriter', Chris Ridgeway will showcase songs from his current band 'Cakehole Presley' as well as his extensive back catalogue. Completing the bill comes Aled Clifford – one half of the barn storming garage-blues duo 'Henry's Funeral Shoe'. Stripping the roaring power of his electric blues songs back to their acoustic roots will no doubt be a revealing and rewarding treat. With all three acts sitting on stage at the same time, each songwriter will initially play solo, taking it in turns to perform their signature songs before joining forces for some live collaborations. Along the way they will chat about the art and process of song-writing offering a rare insight into the songs, the inspirations and the artists who perform them. Doors 7.30pm / Performance starts 8.15pm. Price £7 adv/£9 door. (Tickets available from Pencerdd Music, Station Approach, Penarth or call Nick 07976 836875)

Elivs brings his spinning songbook to Cardiff

Elvis Costello has announced a date at St David's Hall in Cardiff 1st June 2013. The gig will feature his infamous spinning songbook which is used to select songs from his career for the evening. Tickets priced at a slightly whopping £42.50 are on sale now.

Rising star announces Cardiff date

This year's exciting new prospect Jake Bugg will be playing Cardiff as part of his 2013 tour when he plays Cardiff University 22nd February. Tickets for this soon to sel out show are on sale now at: http://www.seetickets.com/Event/JAKE-BUGG/Cardiff-Solus/664932

Future of the Left scoop Welsh Music Prize

Future of the Left have won the 2012 Welsh Music Prize with their album "The Plot Against Common Sense". The album beat off stiff competition from Cate le Bon and Bright Light Bright Light. Last year's winner Gruff Rhys was in attendance at the Cardiff award ceremony to hear the announcement.

Al Lewis creates dream line up for SWN

Al Lewis will be playing a special show at this year's SWN festival in Cardiff hosted by newsoundwales featuring Al as headliner and special guests Paper Aeroplanes and Zervas & Pepper at the Gate in Cardiff 20th October. Tickets on sale now at www.wegottickets.com/event/178888

Welsh Band through to O2 Final

Welsh band Jam With Robina are through to the final of this year´s Surface Festival competition. There were over 20,000 applicants from the UK, Spain and Germany and the band has secured a place in the International Finals on September 29th at the O2 Arena London, representing Wales as the only Welsh band to make it this far after winning the previous 4 rounds in Cardiff and Bristol. First prize consists of £100,000 worth of professional equipment, promotional material and recording studio time as well as a place at several European music events. Newsoundwales has been a supporter of the band since our inception and we want to wish them all the best for this event. Good luck JWR!!!

Welsh Music Prize Finalists announced

The shortlist for this year’s Welsh Music Prize has been announced. The full list is: 1. Exit International “Black Junk” 2. Truckers of the Husk “Accelerated Leaning” 3. Los Campesinos! “Hello Sadness” 4. Kutosis “Fanatical Love” 5. Kid in Glass Houses “In Gold Blood” 6. Jodie Marie “Mountain Echo” 7. Islet “Illuminated People” . Huw M “Gathering Dusk” 9. Future of the Left “The Plot Against Common Sense” 10. Cowbois Rhos Botwnog “Draw Dros Y Mynydd” 11. Cate Le Bon “CYRK” and finally our favourite and tip 12. Bright Light Bright Light “Make Me Believe in Hope”. There will be a concert 17th October featuring some of the artists on the shortlist and the winner will be announced at a special dinner on Thursday 18th October.

Africa Express Steams into Town

AFRICA EXPRESS 2012 will be heading to Cardiff for a show at the University's Solus venue on Thursday 6th September featuring Damon Albarn Baaba Maal Amadou & Mariam Rokia Traoré Kano Baloji Charli XCX Fatoumata Diawara Jupiter & Okwess International Jack Steadman (Bombay Bicycle Club). Tickets are on sale now priced £15 and are available form Spillers or by phoning 029 2023 0130.

John Grant and 79 other acts set for SWN 2012

SWN have announced 80 acts taking part in this year's festival in various Cardiff venues 18th - 21st October. Highlights include John Grant, Dry the River,Django Django and hotly tipped new band the Vestals. Tickets will be going on sale soon. *A Girl Called Ruth * Afro Cluster * Al Lewis * Among Brothers * Arcane Roots * Bo Ningen * Brotherhood Of The Lake * Chain Of Flowers * Charlotte Church * Clock Opera * Death At Sea * Denuo * Django Django * Draw Me Stories * Dry The River * Errors * Eugene Francis Jnr * Exit International * Falls * Faye * Feed The Rhino * Fire Season * Fist Of The First Man * Gallops! * Gallows * Glass Pear * Golden Fable * Greta Isaac * Gulp * Hey Sholay * Hysterical Injury * Irma Vep * Islet * Jemma Roper * Jewellers * Joanna Gruesome * John Grant * Katell Keineg * Lanterns On The Lake * Laura J Martin * Liars * Manhattan Coast * Marc O'Reilly * Micachu & The Shapes * Milk Maid * Mowbird * Nebula * No Ceremony * No Thee No Ess * Out Of The Woods * Paper Aeroplanes * Peace * PINS * Prosperina * Quiet Marauder * Rangda * Rozi Plain * Rusty Shackle * Sam Airey * Scritti Politti * Sex Hands * Shy And The Fight * Sion Russell Jones * The Adelines * The Ash And The Oak * The Bright Young People * The Invisible * The Knox * The Lovely Eggs * The School * The Vestals * This Many Boyfriends * Tomos Lewis * Torches * Turbowolf * Urban Development Vocal Collective (UDVC) * Various Cruelties * Verity Susman * We're No Heroes * Zervas & Pepper *

Zervas & Pepper full band show

Cardiff duo Zervas & Pepper have announced their first live date featuring a full band. Having received increasing national UK airplay in recent months for their single "Cigar Store Indian" the band will be showcasing material from their forthcoming album as well as tracks from their well received debut "Somewhere in the City". Tickets for the gig at Clwb Ifor Bach,

Cardiff priced £6 on Saturday 28th July are on sale now from: http://www.ticketweb.co.uk

Al Lewis set for Headline UK tour

Al Lewis will be heading out on a 16 date headline UK tour this October. The tour includes a special show hosted by Newsoundwales in Cardiff on Saturday 20th October. Details will be released soon. Meanwhile Al has released a new EP entitled "Our Lines Remain" and this is available now from iTunes. Tour dates are: Eric's, Liverpool (3rd Oct), Cluny 2, Newcastle (4th Oct), Basement, York (5th Oct), Portland Arms, Cambridge (9th Oct), High-Barn, Great Bardfield (10th Oct), Glee Club, Birmingham (11th Oct), Cookie Jar, Leicester (12th Oct), The Castle, Manchester (16th Oct), South Street Arts Centre, Reading (17th Oct), Glee Club, Nottingham (18th Oct), Louisiana 2, Bristol (19th Oct), Cardiff TBA (20th Oct), Bicycle Shop, Norwich (23rd Oct), Komedia, Brighton (24th Oct), Boileroom, Guildford (25th Oct), Wilmington Arms, London (27th Oct)

Beth Orton at the Glee

Beth Orton heads back to Cardiff for a gig at the Glee Club on Tuesday December 11th. Tickets priced £18.50 go on sale 6th July and are available from Spillers Records in Cardiff and ticketline 029 2023 0130.

John Rostron joins Welsh Music Federation

John Rostron the leading music promoter in Cardiff has been appointed as a senior manager at the Welsh Music Foundation. Well known and respected within the south Wales music community he set up the annual SWN festival with Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens and founded the Welsh Music Prize. Recently he created the Association of Promoters and Events Cardiff (APE Cardiff : www.apecardiff.com) a body representing all live music and clubnight promoters in the city. Rostron also founded My Kung Fu, an international independent record label which fostered releases from Richard James (ex of Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci), Soft Hearted Scientists and the first ever Welsh language release from Cerys Matthews amongst others. John will be moving to his new role in July and he is replaced at SWN by Gemma White who takes over as Event Manager and Gavin Johnson will shortly be joining the team as Business Development Manager. John has been a keen supporter of our work at newsoundwales and we wish him all the best in his new role.

Patrick Celebrates 10 Years

To celebrate 10 years of making music Patrick Wolf is heading out on an acoustic world tour. As part of the tour he will be playing the Gate in Cardiff on Wednesday 7th November taking to the stage with a grand piano, harp and dulcimer. He will be delving deep into his 10 year, 5 album history. Tickets priced £11.50 in advance are on sale now: http://www.thegate.org.uk/

Ex-Gallows front man in Cardiff

Swn have announced a new show with Pure Love the new band featuring ex Gallows front man Frank Carter. The gig takes place at Clwb Ifor Bach on Monday 23rd July tickets are on sale now: http://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/4885/chk/4a1b

Helloo Hurray

Veteran rocker Alice Cooper will be touring the UK later this year and opens the tour at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff 24th October. Support comes from Ugly Kid Joe and Loaded the new band formed by Duff MacKagan from Guns 'N' Roses.

Welsh Tour for Jodie

Rising Welsh singer Jodie Marie has announced a Welsh tour this autumn promoted by SWN covering 5 dates throughout Wales. Jodie released her debut album Mountain Echo earlier this year and has gained a strong reputation as a live performer. Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd (29th Sep) St Davids Hall, Cardiff (1st Oct) Gwyn Hall, Neath (5th Oct) Theatr Hafren, Powys (6th Oct) Aberystwyth Arts Centre(10th Oct)

Film & Music at Chapter

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff will be hosting a special one off screening of Bryan O'Neil's new film 'Booked Out' starring Rollo Weeks & Sylvia Syms on Tuesday 19th June at 6pm. The screening will also include a live performance by Colorama whose music is included in the film plus a Q & A with Director Bryan O'Neil and lead actress Mirren Burke. To book tickets: http://www.chapter.org/

Perfume Genius is Back

Perfume Genius returns to Cardiff to play the Globe on Friday 31st August. He last appearance in Cardiff was at the newsoundwales hosted night at SWN 2010. Playing only handful of UK dates he will be highlighting his 2nd album 'Put Your BAck N 2 It' released earlier this year. Tickets are on sale now: http://www.seetickets.com/Event/PERFUME-GENIUS/The-Globe/641514

From Kruger to NME

Mike Williams Former editor of Cardiff based magazine 'Kruger' has been announced as the new Editor of the NME taking over from Krissi Murison who leaves this summer. Williams worked for Kruger during its 6 year run and has been dep

uty Editor at the NME since 2011.

Plan B has arrived - Dexy's Play Greenman!

The Greenman Festival has announced another tranche of acts to join their ever impressive bill for this year's festival. New acts include Kevin Rowland's Dexy's alongside Mogwai, Cate le Bon, King Charles and Benjamin Francis Leftwich.

Tour for Euros

Euros Childs releases a new single "Spin that Girl" today and has announced a tour for later in the year. Dates confirmed so far are: 31st August - Bristol : County Sports Club 1st September - Cardiff: Clwb Ifor Bach 3rd Sept - Brighton : Sticky Mike's Frog Bar 4th Sept - London : The Lexington 5th Sept - Manchester - Kings Arms 6th Sept - Chester - Telfords 7th Sept - York - The Basement 8th Sept - Newcastle - The Star and Shadow Cinema

Firm foundations pay off for Kate Nash

Kate Nash wil be returning to Cardiff as part of her summer uk tour when she plays Clwb Ifor Bach 30th June. Nash is currently putting the finishing touches to her 3rd studio album which should be released later this year. Tickets are on sale from 4th May: http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_wales&query=detail&event=507522

No Rest for Dry the River

Dry the River will continue touring the UK later this year in support of their highly sucessful debut album "Shallow Bed". The tour includes a date at Wrexham's Central Station October 23rd. Tickets are on sale now from: http://www.centralstationvenue.com/tickets?event=132331

Marina Postpones

Marina & the Diamonds have postponed their UK tour due to vocal problems. The Cardiff date at the Coal Exchange scheduled for 15th May will now take

place 27th June.

The Master Returns

John Cale will be touring later this year to promote his forthcoming album on Domino Records. As part of the tour he will be playing the Coal Exchange in Cardiff on Sunday 7th October. Tickets priced £20 are on sale from 27th April: http://www.ticketlineuk.com/event/concert-gig-tickets/john-cale-tickets-cardiff-coal-exchange-07102012-3364

Sadies for Bogiez

Canadian band The Sadies are playing a special show at Bogiez in Cardiff on Monday 30th April with support from Wales' own Christopher Rees. Tickets are on sale now and available at Spillers.

Wide Eyed, Legless & Appearing at the New Theatre

Former Amen Corner and local hero Andy Fairweather Low will be playing a special show at Cardiff's New Theatre on Monday 15th October. This is the first time in decades that the venue has been used for a live music event. Tickets priced £20 are on sale now.

Frank Turner Still Believes

People's hero and heir to Billy Bragg's throne Frank Turner returns with a UK tour in November including a date at Swansea's Brangwyn Hall 14th November. Tickets are on sale 20th April. Turner will be releasing a special limited edition 7" single of "I Still Believe" to mark Record Store Day 21st April.

Mumford & Sons open UK tour in Cardiff

Mumford & Sons have announced a UK tour this summer opening in Cardiff on Wednesday 30th May at St David's Hall. Tickets for the 'Gentlemen of the road stopover tour' go on sale 21st April.

JCC back in Wales

John Cooper Clarke will be playing 2 Welsh dates this summer when he appears at the Gower Heritage Centre in Swansea 23rd June and the following day 24th June at the Gate in Cardiff. Tickets are available now:

Swansea -
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/153925

Cardiff -
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/164164

Hats off to the View

The View return in 2012 with a new album "Cheeky for a Reason" described by the band as "Fleetwood Mac's Rumours as done by the Clash". In support of the album the band will be playing a UK tour in June including a date at Cardiff University 19th June. Tickets on sale now priced £14 at:



http://www.ents24.com/web/event/The-View-Cardiff-University-SU-The-Great-Hall-Solus-CF10-2871964.html

Gong Therapy

Archetypal hippy band Gong will be playing Cardiff University 16th November. The band still feature original members such as 74 year old Daevid Allen and are probably best known for their 1970s 'Radio Gnome' trilogy of albums.Tickets priced at £16 are on sale now:

http://www.ents24.com/web/event/Gong-Cardiff-University-SU-The-Great-Hall-Solus-CF10-2875204.html

Van the Greenman

Van Morrison has been added to this year's 10th Anniversary Green Man Festival line up taking place at Glanusk near Brecon 17-19th August. More information at:

http://www.greenman.net/

Patti Smith for Coal Exchange

Patti Smith makes a return visit to the Coal Exchange in Cardiff 26th June on one of only a handful of UK dates she is playing this summer. She will be releasing new album 'Banga' in June her first studio album of original material since 2004's 'Trampin'.

tickets available from:

http://www.ticketlineuk.com/event/concert-gig-tickets/patti-smith-and-her-band-tickets-cardiff-coal-exchange-26062012-3288/patti-smith-and-her-band-tickets-95776

Too-Rye-Ay Treorchy

Dexy’s Midnight Runners produced some of the most iconic sounds of the 1980s, not just the perennial disco favourite ‘Come on Eileen’ but many others such as ‘Geno’ and ‘Jackie Wilson Said’. The re-named Dexy’s have chosen the Parc & Dare in Treorchy as the venue for their warm up show ahead of some major UK dates. The band will be focussing on the new album “One Day I’m Going to Fly” their first since 1985! However, they will no doubt be playing some of the old favourites as well. The gig takes place 4th May and tickets are available from:

http://www.seetickets.com/Event/DEXYS/Parc-Dare-Theatre/623208

Cale turns 70

We would like to wish John Clale many happy returns as he turns 70 this month. Still working and still as relevant as he was 40 years ago.

Newsoundwales presents:

We are pleased to announce we are hosting our first gig of 2012 with Wibidi and Cakehole Presley at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff on Saturday 21st April.


Wibidi include members of the Super Furry Animals (Dafydd Ieuan and Cian Ciaran), and dreadlocked tornado singer Wibidi, with a voice like rust. Add to this a fusion of funk, reggae and glam and you have an incendiary cocktail that explodes on stage. Originally formed to create music for the Howard Marks biopic Mr Nice, the band has toured throughout Wales in 2011, including an appearance at the Green Man Festival. They recently released their debut album Tiger Baby, a brilliant collection of songs that provides a snapshot of a life lived large in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay.

www.wibidi.co.uk

Cakehole Presley include some of the unsung heroes of Cardiff’s music scene, who played in legendary bands such as Howlin Sleepers and Doofer. The band are a culmination of lives lived for the joy of creating music and playing to a live crowd and very few bands do that as well as Cakehole Presley. Their enigmatically entitled debut album Look After Your Chihuahua was released last year and if there was an award for ‘the greatest living Welsh songwriter’ the band’s singer and chief songwriter Chris Ridgeway would surely be a contender.

www.myspace.com/cakeholepresley

tickets are on sale now:

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/159035

Caught in a Temper Trap

Australian nascent supergroup Temper Trap will be playing Cardiff's Coal Exchange on Saturday 12th May. The band will be releasing their 2nd album 'Temper Trap' the following week. The tour sees the arrival of new permanent 5th member Joseph Greer on keyboard and guitar.

l

More acts announced for Greenman 2012

A new batch of names has been added to the line up of this year's Greenman Festival. New names added include:

Stephen Malkmus
Field Music
Willy Mason
Tune-Yards
Michael Kiwanuka

Evening Chorus EP Launch

Up and coming Cardiff band Evening Chorus will be celebrating the release of their EP "Acorn" with a special gig at St John's Church, Canton Cardiff on Tuesday 10th April. Tickets are available now:

http://www.swnpresents.com/

SWN Crawl to Canton

SWN presents the Canton Crawl an all dayer starting at 2pm on Saturday 28th April featuring H Hawkline, Cate le Bon and many others.

http://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/3165/chk/5267

Mystery Jets - Totally Rad

The Mystery Jets will be releasing their new album 'Radlands' at the end of April and will be supporting it with a tour including The Gate in Cardiff 11th April. Tickets are on sale now.

http://www.ticketlineuk.com/event/concert-gig-tickets/mystery-jets-tickets-cardiff-the-gate-2012-3214

Ben & Willy Headline

Ben Howard has announced a UK tour for later this year when he will be appearing alongside Willy Mason. The tour includes a Cardiff date at the University Great Hall on Sunday 4th November. More info at:

http://www.benhowardmusic.co.uk/

Green Man Festival 2012 tickets now on sale

Tickets for this year's Green Man Festival are now on sale at:

http://www.greenman.net/

Artists appearing announced so far include:

Feist
The Walkmen
Jonathan Richman
Scritti Politti
Ghostpoet