ROBIN INCE

Robin Ince is many things: a comedian, an author, a broadcaster and a populariser of scientific ideas. The Guardian once declared him a ‘becardiganed polymath’ which seems about right.

He is probably best known as the co-host of the Sony Gold Award-winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox. He also co-hosts the podcast Book Shambles with Josie Long, An Uncanny Hour and Science Shambles with Dr Helen Czerski, all three of which are a part of The Cosmic Shambles Network, which he also co-created.

THE RAYMOND AND MR TIMPKINS REVUE

They've played the lowliest pub back room to the London Palladium and had a month in Edinburgh, resulting in a 5 star review from The Scotsman! I know. Posh right? Plus a load of other lovely reviews that the duo are far too modest to talk about…

Plus more acts are to be announced!

With Host: SILKY

Owing to the age-old tradition of brass bands from the slate mining villages of North Wales’, Llareggub Brass Band ascend from the ashes of the past and bring with them an immense dose of heavy brass! Their music invokes the sumptuous flavours of New Orleans marching bands, together with Bronx-inspired Hip Hop and Welsh language pop music.

Formed by their bandleader Owain Roberts back in 2015, the band has released four studio albums and numerous EPs and are quickly making their mark as Wales’ best live (brass) act!

The Undertones emerged from Derry in 1976, the result of five friends learning how to play basic rock and roll.

Over the next ten years, they would score chart hits with pop gems such as  `Here Comes The Summer`, ‘Jimmy Jimmy`, `You’ve Got My Number (Why Don’t You Use It)’,  ‘Wednesday Week’ and the iconic ‘Teenage Kicks’.

Fellow Derryman Paul McLoone replaced Feargal Sharkey on vocals in 1999 and his vocal prowess and electric onstage presence soon convinced any doubters that he was more than capable of doing the job.

2024  will see The Undertones roaring back with an extensive  UK and European tour to promote the release of their very first LIVE ALBUM and we’re thrilled to have them stop off in Llangollen for this year’s Fringe!

Westcountry folk singer and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005 for 'Kitty Jay'.  Seth’s thrilling solo performance of the eponymous title track on live television won him unanimous praise and started him on an incredible solo journey which has included record deals, 11 album releases (including 6 Top 40), BBC Radio 2 playlisted singles, a clutch of awards and touring all over the world. 2024 marks the 20^th anniversary of the album’s release.

Seth released his latest and 11th studio album Make Your Mark in November 2021. The album features 14 powerful, brand-new songs including the singles Higher We Aspire and title track Make Your Mark which were playlisted at BBC Radio 2. Seth was also delighted to be asked in late 2022 to record on Van Morrison’s new album ‘Moving On Skiffle’ which was released in March this year and he collaborated with Public Service Broadcasting. He has previously worked and toured extensively with Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) with his band the Sensational Space Shifters.

www.sethlakeman.co.uk

MAKE YOUR MARK (Single) https://youtu.be/UPBI8U5YpFo

Dublin native Aoife Ní Bhriain is one of Ireland's foremost traditional fiddle players and a classical violinist of international stature who commands both the classical world and her Irish traditional heritage. From across the Irish Sea and the west coast of Wales, harpist Catrin Finch has also built an impressive classical career and ventured into uncharted musical territory, most notably through her award-winning international collaborations.

Double You – their debut album as a duo, which was released 27^th October 2023 on the bendigedig label - features an exquisite collection of new compositions that draw inspiration from across the genres, taking listeners on a captivating journey on the wings of the bees across the Irish Sea and inspired by the cultures of their home countries.

Running through their stories – as individual creatives, remarkable women, and now as an inspirational duo – are universal themes of identity, self-belief and the courage to find yourself and follow your own path.

The album's title, Double You, alludes to the many similarities that connect Catrin and Aoife, making one the double of the other and creating a deep musical bond between the two.

The Selecter is led by their iconic frontwoman Pauline Black OBE and co-fronted by original member Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson with original drummer Charley ‘Aitch’ Bembridge. Pauline is one of very few women in the 2-Tone scene - often referred to as the Queen of Ska. 

Known the world over for hits including “Three Minute Hero,” “Missing Words,” “Too Much Pressure” and “On My Radio” The Selecter continue to tour and release new music proving that 2-Tone is still as relevant and important as it was 40 years ago. They released their much-acclaimed new album Human Algebra in April 2023. 

A 3CD Box Set & Vinyl of Too Much Pressure was released in 2021 to celebrate the album’s 40th anniversary. The Deluxe Edition reached #1 in the Official UK Vinyl Album Charts and #1 in the Official UK Independent Album Charts on its release.

The Selecter recently supported Blur at Wembley and also performed live at the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony in Birmingham. The anarchic passion that fuelled Selecter gigs during the original 2-Tone era is still there well and as they continue to perform around the world.

‘The versatility of Elephant Sessions is its strength. Passionate about their culture and their origins, these Scots are using their instruments like weapons to destroy clichés...We love them’ Rolling Stone Magazine 

From humble beginnings in the Highlands of Scotland, to playing around the world, Elephant Sessions celebrated their 10th year as a band in 2022. 

Creating a progressive blend of intricate tunes, with a bass and drum heavy backline, their music combines the very best of trad, funk and electronica, resulting in a new and exciting sound.

Since exploding on to the scene, the band have made live appearances at some of the most notable venues and festivals across the U.K, Europe, North America and Australia, including Glastonbury, Byron Bay Bluesfest, Colours of Ostrava and multiple headline sell-outs at Celtic Connections.

The band’s first three albums were released to critical acclaim and amassed widespread radio play across the world. 

Their new album ‘For The Night’ further built upon this success, charting at #3 in the Official Folk Album Chart and winning Album of the Year at the BBC Trad Music Awards 2022.

Melin Melyn

“Inspiring cult-like devotion and a sea of daft grins are Welsh-speaking surf-pop heroes, Melin Melyn. Shrugging off the weight of the world through their topsy-turvy outlook, they spin hilarious yarns inspired by life’s mundanity” ~ The Guardian

Since emerging from the sun kissed valleys of Wales, Melin Melyn have constantly confounded listeners with their unique blend of psychedelic surf-rock, folk and pop that set them apart from almost all other modern contemporaries and have drawn deserved comparisons to Super Furry Animals and Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci.

Their explosive and effervescent live shows are universally lauded by The Guardian, The i, The FT, The Spectator, NME, So Young, Gigwise and more. 

Adwaith

Hailing from Carmarthen, South Wales, Adwaith grew up surrounded by a rich tradition of Welsh-language indie-rock, and the experimental bands that frequented beloved local venue The Parrot. It’s hard to overstate the impact of this cultural backdrop, and when Hollie Singer, Gwenllian Anthony and Heledd Owen first went about founding Adwaith in 2015, they too wanted to wield Welsh as an exciting musical instrument.

After signing to Libertino, Adwaith released their debut single ‘Pwysau’ in 2016, before further delving into mangled, free-wheeling post-punk. Their debut album ‘Melyn’ released in 2018 perfectly skewered the anxiety and unease of adulthood.

The record went on to win the prestigious Welsh Music Prize, and won the support of BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, KEXP, NPR and BBC Introducing.

From Red Dwarf to Robot Wars to Radio 6 and Radio 2 via the cobbles of Coronation Street, Charles’ career has seen him transform from respected actor to musical icon with twenty years of broadcasting under his belt!

Craig’s pioneering BBC 6 Music Funk and Soul Show was born in 2002 and has since broadcast live every Saturday night with an assortment of emerging talents and classic gems, earning him global support and recognition as one of the UK’s foremost funk and soul tastemakers, DJs and promoters of new music.

The Funk and Soul train keeps movin’ along and will be steaming into Llangollen this summer and in the words of the dancehall don himself, there’ll be ‘No sleep till way past bedtime’!