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/