Main Events

9 Days of Fringe. One Incredible Price.

Experience every headline performance, late-night set, and inspiring talk with one pass. From music and comedy to theatre and beyond - this is your all-access key to the heart of Llangollen.

The Details:

• Full Access: Valid for all main festival events.
• One Exception: Please note, Mr Scruff (4th July) is a standalone event and not included in this pass.

SKINNY LISTER are a British folk/punk band formed in London in 2009 through Greenwich folk clubs. Over 16 years they’ve fused punk energy with shanties, earning a reputation for raucous, good-time shows. Their unique sound has taken them from the folk circuit to Download Festival, sparking mosh-pits worldwide. They’ve toured Europe and North America with Frank Turner, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, while headlining festivals, clubs and growing venues. Skinny Lister’s formidable live rep more than proceeds them.  

Ryan Young is a Scottish fiddle player working within the traditional music of Scotland. His playing is noted for its distinctive tone and phrasing, with an approach that places melody and expression at the centre of the music.

He first came to wider attention with his debut album, produced by four-time GRAMMY winner Jesse Lewis (Béla Fleck, Yo-Yo Ma), establishing the foundations of a career that has since developed an international reach. He has toured extensively across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia, and is recognised for a style that draws on both Scottish and Irish traditions.

Young’s third studio album, In the Quiet After (May 2026), is produced by and features Martin Hayes. Recorded with engineer Patrick Phillips (The Gloaming, Peter Gabriel), the album includes contributions from Stuart McCallum (The Breath, Cinematic Orchestra) and Louis Campbell (Sam Lee, Sam Sweeney).

Reflecting on the project, Hayes said: “I had the pleasure of being in the studio with Ryan as producer of this latest recording. For the most part I just sat back and enjoyed the music as it unfolded. I have known Ryan and his music for many years, and it has been wonderful to witness its continuous evolution. On this recording you can hear his ability to inhabit the tunes fully and let them speak with honesty and depth. This is a deeply felt and soulful recording, drawing on both the Scottish and Irish traditions.”

“...a force of nature” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 STARS) The Scotsman

BCUC: Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness. Indigenous funk, hiphop consciousness and punk rock energy from Soweto, South Africa.

The seven-piece band has been mesmerising audiences both locally and globally with its indigenous funk and high-energy performances that have fast made it one of South Africa’s most successful musical exports. Artistic heirs to Philip “Malombo” Tabane and Batsumi, they give contemporary voice to the ancestral traditions of indigenous peoples. Jazz sounds of 1970s and ‘80s productions replaced by hip-hop influences and punk-rock energy, taking the listener on an intriguing epic journey, sharing their controversial yet interesting views on modern Africa. They tackle the harsh realities of the voiceless, especially the plight of the uneducated workers at the bottom of the social food chain. BCUC taps into the elusiveness of the spirit world of ancestors by which they are inspired. The Africa portrayed by BCUC is not poor, but rich in tradition, rituals and beliefs.

“We bring fun and emo-indigenous Afro psychedelic fire from the hood,” says vocalist Kgomotso Mokone.

“without a doubt the best live act I saw”- Gilles Peterson

One of the most talked-about bands in contemporary folk, Talisk have spent the last ten years ripping up the rulebook — and audiences across the world have come along for the ride. With over 15 million streams, 10,000 albums sold, and sold-out shows on five continents — from Glasgow to Tokyo, Paris to New York — alongside headline festival appearances the world over, the trio have built a devoted global following.

Armed with concertina, fiddle and guitar — and a sound far bigger than the sum of its parts — Mohsen Amini, Benedict Morris and Charlie Galloway have picked up a string of major awards, including from BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Scotland and the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.

Celebrating a decade on the road in 2025, Talisk continue to push boundaries — musically, technically, and in how three people can completely command any stage. Their BBC One Hogmanay Show performances reached over a million viewers, whilst they’ve captivated tens of thousands live - from Glasgow’s OVO Hydro arena, to the vastest of festival sites across Europe, North America, and Australasia, and including Glastonbury in 2025.

Expect big energy, heavy tunes, and an all out celebration of an almighty 10 years - from one of contemporary Scottish folk’s most celebrated live acts.

“the technical ability of each member is clear in their energetic, dynamic sound” / Songlines

“extraordinary” / Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2

Expect ultra-tight musicianship and unstoppable energy as Nubiyan Twist bring their electrifying blend of jazz, afrobeat, soul, hip-hop and dance music to the stage with a brand new line-up and live show for 2026. 

Known for their powerful big-band sound and uplifting live shows, the 9-piece collective fuse global grooves with UK jazz finesse, percussive fire and deep, infectious rhythm.

Following their acclaimed collaborations with musical icons including Nile Rogers, Tony Allen, Seun Kuti and Fatoumata Diawara, the band continue to push boundaries  uniting cultures, generations and genres through music that celebrates connection, freedom and groove.

Formed in Leeds and now one of the UK’s most respected live acts, Nubiyan Twist have earned MOBO and AIM Award nominations, sold-out tours and praise from NPR, Rolling Stone, Jazzwise and Bandcamp Daily.

“Joyous, beautiful and rich” - NPR

“When this nine-piece collective find their flame - it burns brightly” - Rolling Stone
“Absolutely thrills and excites” - Louder Than War

“Sponging up global grooves and making some of the catchiest jazz music this country has to offer” Notion

“An absolutely joyous listen” - Bandcamp Daily