Posts Categorized: News

Tues 2^nd – Sun 7^th July 2024

Welsh icons Tom Jones and Katherine Jenkins and international best-selling artist Gregory Porter will all perform headline concerts during the core week of the 2024 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

As the full line up of events is announced today, it is revealed that music legend Tom Jones will present the opening concert of the core Eisteddfod week at Llangollen Pavilion on Tuesday July 2^nd, kicking off six days of evening concerts, with mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins closing the week on Sunday 7^th.

Between these dates audiences can enjoy a huge variety of evening events, featuring award-winning folk band Calan, royal harpist Alis Huws, Britain’s Got Talent favourites John’s Boys Male Chorus, West End and Broadway stars Kerry Ellis and John-Owen Jones, and two-time GRAMMY award winning jazz sensation Gregory Porter.

Tickets go on sale at 9am Friday 8th December from llangollen.net

The core week of the iconic peace festival returns from Tuesday July 2^nd to Sunday July 7^th 2024.

Beginning the week of events, which brings together people from across the globe, will be singing sensation Tom Jones on Tuesday 2^nd. The international and multi-award-winning icon is bringing his sell-out Ages and Stages tour for what is sure to be a memorable night filled with everyone’s favourite hits.

Wednesday 3^rd will bring a celebration of Welsh music with Wales Welcomes the World featuring Welsh folk band Calan, royal harpist Alis Huws and John’s Boys Male Chorus, who reached the semi-finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2023.

Musical theatre fans will be enraptured on Thursday 4^th when superstars Kerry Ellis and John Owen-Jones, perform an evening of Broadway and West End classics Direct From The West End.

And on Friday 5^th Gregory Porter will make a triumphant return to Llangollen. Gregory is rightly regarded as his generation’s most soulful jazz singer-songwriter and since breaking through almost a decade ago, he has become a beloved part of the British cultural firmament. The Californian has played at numerous festivals, including Glastonbury, where he wowed the Pyramid Stage, and Radio 2’s Live in Hyde Park and now he heads to Llangollen.

The very best choirs, dance groups and young operatic stars compete for the Eisteddfod’s top prizes including the coveted Pavarotti Trophy with Choir Of The World on Saturday 6^th.

Closing the week will be a classical gala concert headlined by Katherine Jenkins – officially the world’s most successful classical singer after she was crowned ‘The Biggest Selling Classical Artist of the Century’ by Classic FM. A hugely successful recording artist, she has smashed the record books achieving 14 Number 1 albums and performed for thousands of serving British troops overseas as well as Popes, Presidents and Princes in a sensational 20-year career.

The headlining shows with Tom Jones, Katherine Jenkins and Gregory Porter are the latest to be announced as part of a new partnership between Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor. A series of concerts falling either side of the week have already been announced including Madness, Kaiser Chiefs, Manic Street Preachers and Suede, Paloma Faith, Jess Glynne and Nile Rodgers & CHIC with more to come.

Vice-Chair of the festival Chris Adams said: “This year, we have partnered with promoters Cuffe and Taylor and people are already seeing the international artists we are bringing to Llangollen before and after our core Eisteddfod.  Our core festival is everything our long-time supporters have come to expect from our peace festival and more.”

Lead Programmer and Production Manager at the Llangollen Eisteddfod Dave Danford added: “The core Eisteddfod week is the centrepiece of our activities each year, and in 2024 it will be bigger and better than ever. We’ve been committed to retaining all of the elements our loyal supporters expect, such as Choir of the World on the Saturday evening, which sits proudly alongside the big-name artists we have coming to perform.

“There’s no doubt that the programme we’re announcing today combines the best of our Eisteddfod traditions with the expectations of modern audiences, we look forward to welcoming friends both new and old to Llangollen in July.”

And Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor said: “It is exciting to be part of such as important week in the North Wales calendar. We applaud the tireless work of the Eisteddfod team and look forward to working alongside them to complement their activities while continuing to attract household names to perform in this beautiful part of the country.”

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will be holding another community meeting on Monday 4 December 2023 at St Collen’s Community Hall at 7pm. The hybrid session will be an opportunity to provide an update on the 2024 concert programme, answer questions about their plans for next summer, and to invite residents to join the growing team of volunteers.

It will take place on the same day the Eisteddfod announces its evening concerts for the core Eisteddfod week, which takes place from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 7 July 2024. The Eisteddfod has been one of the highlights of Wales’ busy cultural calendar since it was launched in 1947 to promote peace through song and dance. This is the third community meeting since the summer providing information to the local community.

Since the Eisteddfod announced the partnership with Cuffe and Taylor, they have announced numerous gigs before and after the core Eisteddfod week, which will see the likes of Manic Street Preachers, Suede, Paloma Faith, Nile Rodgers, Jess Glynne and Kaiser Chiefs heading to North Wales next summer. Organisers will announce their full concert series for 2024 on Monday 4 December, before bringing the community together for the public meeting.

Vice Chair Chris Adams said: “It is vital for us to communicate at every level with Llangollen and wider community. There is a real sense of excitement about next year’s Eisteddfod so why not bring our community together on the day we announce our concert programme. The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has promoted peace through music and dance since 1947. Like any other Eisteddfod, we have had to adapt to challenges and that is why we are delighted to be working in partnership with Cuffe and Taylor. The aims and ethos of our unique Eisteddfod remain and we can’t wait for the Summer. It is important to us that residents have the chance to ask us questions and take advantage of their chance to jump the queue to buy the hottest tickets in North Wales this Summer.”

Indie heroes Kaiser Chiefs are heading to North Wales next summer for what promises to be a stunning show.

The multi-award-winning band will make a triumphant return to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on Saturday June 29.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday November 17 from llangollen.net and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

The announcement follows the news Kaiser Chiefs will release their brand new studio album, the aptly titled Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album, on March 01 2024.

Produced by Amir Amor (Rudimental), Easy Eighth Album sees the band return with a fresh and bold new sound. From the Nile Rodgers co-write of new single ‘Feeling Alright’, to the frantic ‘Beautiful Girl’, horn-laden Kaiser Chiefs throwback ‘Job Centre Shuffle’ and joyous punch in the gut that is ‘Jealousy’, these 10 tracks are a true statement of intent from a band that continues to deliver the goods again and again.

The album arrives off the back of roaring success with previous releases ‘Jealousy’ and ‘How 2 Dance’, as well as a big UK arena headline tour at the end of last year.

Where 2019’s Duck straddled the tide between Northern-Soul euphoria and early ‘00s antithesis, 2024 will see Kaiser Chiefs stepping into a renewed spotlight; a hook-heightened universe in which Ricky Wilson, Andrew “Whitey” White (guitar), Simon Rix (bass), Keyboardist Peanut and Vijay Mistry on drums, come together to create what they craft best; breakthrough hits for the world’s dancefloor.

And with a band almost two decades in the game, armed with an extensive back-catalogue of stadium belters, and record-breaking success, fans at Llangollen Pavilion can prepare for a night filled with anthemic hits such as ‘Oh My God’, ‘I Predict A Riot’, ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’ and ‘Ruby’.

The headlining show is the latest to be announced as part of a new partnership between Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Kaiser Chiefs join indie superstars Manic Street Preachers and Suede, BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith anddisco legends Nile Rodgers & CHIC among the artists to be announced so far for the iconic peace festival in 2024.

Lead Programmer & Production Manager of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford said:“We’re delighted Kaiser Chiefs will be returning to Llangollen. They went down a storm in 2018, and we’re so pleased that they’ll bring their anthems back to North Wales in 2024. 

“This is just the latest announcement as part of our exciting new partnership with Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor, with more to come in the next few weeks.”

Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor added: “Kaiser Chiefs are a brilliant live band. We’ve presented multiple shows with them over the years so we can’t wait to bring them back to Llangollen for what will be a really exciting show for everyone involved.”

Kings of Disco Nile Rodgers & CHIC and pop superstar Jess Glynne will perform headline sets at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod next summer.

It is announced today that legendary music pioneer Nile Rodgers will bring the ultimate party to Llangollen Pavilion on Thursday July 11 while chart record holder Jess Glynne will headline on Friday July 12.

Supporting Nile Rodgers & CHIC will be Brit singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis Bextor and 80s inspired contemporary pop band Deco.

Tickets to both shows go on general sale at 9am on Friday October 27 from llangollen.net and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Speaking about the Llangollen date, Nile Rodgers said: “The UK is my home from home so despite the fact that it’s not even winter yet I’m excited to be announcing that we will be bringing you ‘good times” this summer!”

Jess Glynne, who has announced the show as part of her UK summer tour, said: “I can’t wait to get back on stage and go live for all my people! It’s gonna be a good year… let’s go!”

Nile Rodgers is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a multiple GRAMMY Award winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist with more than 200 production credits to his name.

As the co-founder of CHIC, he pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits such as Le Freak, Everybody Dance and Good Times that sparked the advent of hip-hop.

His work with CHIC and his productions for artists such as David Bowie, Diana Ross and Madonna have sold more than 500 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide. His innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Avicii, Sigala, Disclosure and Sam Smith reflect the vanguard of contemporary music.

His work in the CHIC organisation including We Are Family with Sister Sledge and I’m Coming Out with Diana Ross and his productions for artists like David Bowie (Let’s Dance), Madonna (Like A Virgin) and Duran Duran (The Reflex) have sold more than 500 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk (Get Lucky), Daddy Yankee (Agua), and Beyoncé (Cuff It) reflect the vanguard of contemporary hits.

Jess Glynne is the only British female solo artist to ever score seven UK Number One singles. The news she is heading to Llangollen follows the arrival of her latest single Friend of Mine after the summer banger What Do You Do?.

Both singles mark a new and more personal chapter for the GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter, who has delivered some of the most memorable dance-pop hits of the past decade.

Smashing her way into the nation’s consciousness as the vocalist on Clean Bandit’s 2014 Grammy Award-winning Rather Be and Route 94’s My Love, Jess has since become one of the UK’s biggest acts with hits including I’ll Be There, Hold My Hand and Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself.

Her two previous Platinum-selling albums both become Number One records, she has collected three Ivor Novello nominations, won a GRAMMY, racked up nine Brit Award nominations and 1.2 billion streams.

The headlining shows are the latest to be announced as part of a new partnership between Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Indie superstars Manic Street Preachers and Suede’s double headlining show at the iconic peace festival on Friday June 28 sold out within an hour of going on sale and tickets are available now for double platinum and BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith who will head to North Wales on Friday June 21.

Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor said: “We have presented numerous shows with both Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Jess Glynne. Both are incredible performers who will bring their own unique style to Llangollen ensuring audiences enjoy amazing live music.

“Nile Rodgers & CHIC perform hit after hit making for an absolutely brilliant night out, while Jess Glynne is a truly acclaimed British female artist.”

Chair of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Sarah Ecob added: “When we revealed our partnership with Cuffe and Taylor we said we would be making some huge announcements, and these are massive.  Jess Glynne and Nile Rodgers & CHIC are international superstars at the top of their game.  We can’t wait for them to come to Llangollen for our brilliant peace festival.” 

Llangollen 2024: 2-7 July 

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has announced details of how to compete or participate at Llangollen 2024. Across 29 categories, including nine new competitions, some of the world’s top music and dance talent will travel to the iconic peace festival in beautiful North Wales; where Wales Welcomes the World. 

A dedicated Participant website, and syllabus, contain all the information on how to apply, categories, arranging accommodation and more…
https://eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk/ 

Competitions continue to sit at the heart of the Llangollen Eisteddfod. They will take place during the core Eisteddfod week, Tuesday 2 – Sunday 7 July 2024. For competitors, there are some fabulous opportunities and prizes up for grabs, at this truly international celebration of all things musical and dance. First to open for applications are the group categories, followed by solo categories later this year.  

Chair of the Llangollen Eisteddfod Sarah Ecob said,
“We are delighted to open applications for what is one of the world’s most respected and renowned cultural competitions. Previous winners include Pavarotti no less.  At the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod we celebrate musical excellence and next year’s event will continue that tradition. This year, we have been determined to ensure that the Eisteddfod doesn’t just survive but thrives. It’s vital however to ensure that our usual, core festival ensures supporters continue to enjoy the traditional, competitive part of the Llangollen Eisteddfod.” 

As a way of celebrating the achievements of children and young people, a new Young Choir of the World competition is being introduced. For 2024 the winning choir will be showcased on the main stage at The Royal International Pavilion during the Wednesday 3 July evening concert.  

Solo finalists will also have the fantastic opportunity to perform in an evening concert. The International Voice of the Future will be part of the Saturday 6 July evening concert and, for the first time, International Voice of Musical Theatre finalists will perform with a live band in the Thursday 4 July evening concert (not to be missed!).  

Other new additions include the Open Dance (Solo, Duet and Trio) category for under 11yrs, 12-17yrs, and 18yrs & over, the Children’s Open Choirs category, and the welcome return of Chamber, Adult Folk Song Choirs, Instrumental Ensemble, Vocal and Instrumental Folk Solo.  

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is located in the beautiful hillside town of Llangollen in North East Wales. Main competitions take place in the magnificent 4000 seat Royal International Pavilion.  In 2024, either side of the core Eisteddfod week (2-7 July), there will be additional shows – including headliners Manic Street Preachers  & Suede (Friday 28 June), and Paloma Faith (Friday 21 June). 

Downloadable syllabus book, application forms and other competitor information available on  dedicated website: https://eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk/  

Double platinum and BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith will head to North Wales next summer as part of her The Glorification Of Sadness Tour 2024.

The 26-date UK tour will see the British superstar headline at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on Friday June 21.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday October 20 from llangollen.net and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

The announcement comes as Paloma has released her first single in three years, How You Leave A Man, and as she unveils her sixth studio album The Glorification of Sadness which is released February 16 – her first new music since the release of fifth studio album Infinite Things in November 2020.

The trip to Llangollen will see Paloma perform an array of hits from her extensive and much-loved repertoire with fans singing along to classics such as Only Love Can Hurt Like This and Lullaby as well as new songs from The Glorification of Sadness.

The headlining show is presented in a new partnership between Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor and marks the second announcement for 2024.

Last week it was revealed indie superstars Manic Street Preachers and Suede will play a double headlining show at the iconic peace festival on Friday June 28. Tickets for that show go on sale this Friday (Oct 13) at 9am.

Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor said: “What an incredible second announcement to be making for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Paloma Faith is without doubt a superstar who presents the most breathtaking concerts and we can’t wait to bring her to Llangollen. We’re very excited to be working alongside the team at this incredible peace festival and look forward to making more announcements soon.”

Chair of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Sarah Ecob added: “We promised to reach for the stars with our brilliant new partnership with Cuffe and Taylor and we are delighted that another huge star, Paloma Faith will be joining us in 2024. With her soulful, jazz-influenced pop music and her stunning style we know she will be a massive hit with our audiences.”

For more information and to purchase tickets go to llangollen.net and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

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FRIDAY JUNE 28^th 2024 

Manic Street Preachers and Suede are to headline a very special show in North Wales next summer.

The double headlining show will see the indie music legends head to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on Friday June 28.

The June date marks a triumphant return for the Manic Street Preachers to Llangollen after they last headlined at the festival in 2017.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday October 13 from llangollen.net and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Manic Street Preachers are one of the most influential and iconic rock bands to have come out of Wales. They have gone on to release 14 studio albums and have headlined countless festivals including Glastonbury, T in the Park, V Festival and Reading & Leeds. They have won eleven NME Awards, eight Q Awards and four BRIT Awards and were also nominated for the Mercury Prize and the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Manics are currently working on their 15^th studio album, the follow up to ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament’ which entered the UK charts at No. 1 on its release in September 2021.  They last performed in the UK this summer when they made critically acclaimed performances at Isle of Wight and Glastonbury festivals.

The news of the tour meets huge demand surrounding the success of Suede’s ninth studio album Autofiction, and their entirely sold-out UK headline tour earlier this year. Debuting at #2 in the UK Albums Chart, the release marked Suede’s highest charting LP since 1999’s Head Music. The new album has been received as a career peak by fans and critics alike.

2023 has seen the release of Suede30 – timely reminder of how the band’s debut album had such a powerful and transformative effect on British music from the outset. Suede’s eponymous debut shot to #1 in the UK Album Charts upon its release selling over 100,000 copies in its first week, winning the prestigious Mercury Music Prize and becoming the fastest-selling debut album ever in the UK at that time.

Suede and the Manic Street Preachers’ Llangollen show is part of a UK and Ireland tour that follows a sold out 2022 US tour that saw both bands greeted with a fantastic reception.

The headlining show is presented in a new partnership between Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Cuffe and Taylor, one of the UK’s top live music, theatre and event promoters, are partnering with the International Eisteddfod to promote a series of live concerts in conjunction with the world-famous peace festival.

Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor said: “We have presented countless shows in Wales over the years so it is great to be forming a new and very exciting relationship with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod team.

“We will be working together to bring global stars and look forward to working alongside everyone in Llangollen helping secure the future of this historic event.

“I am delighted our first announcement is that we are bringing the Manic Street Preachers and Suede to Llangollen and we will be revealing even more big name artists very soon.”

Cuffe and Taylor present breath-taking tours, festivals and shows across the UK filling football stadiums, arenas, theatres and major historical sites working with a roster of artists ranging from Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Britney Spears and Stereophonics to Sir Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Sam Fender, The Strokes and Kylie.

Chair of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Sarah Ecob said: “We are so pleased to be working with Cuffe and Taylor, who have an outstanding reputation in the industry.  By working in partnership with them, we have ensured that our peace festival set up in 1947 not only survives, but thrives.  We are so excited to welcome back the Manic Street Preachers and can’t wait to make more announcements over the coming days and weeks.”

For more information and to purchase tickets go to llangollen.net and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Manic Street Preachers Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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A reverend who doubles as a Squadron Leader in the RAF, a singer who unexpectedly shared the stage with Alfie Boe and a woman who moved 6000 miles to be closer to the festival she loves are just a few of the new trustees of the internationally renowned Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. 

Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Sarah Ecob said, “We are delighted to welcome our new Board Members who bring a range of new talents and deep knowledge of the Eisteddfod to our Board.  This will be invaluable as we continue our programme of recovery and growth. We would like to thank the outgoing Board Members, all of whom will continue to be active within the Eisteddfod structures” 

The trustees have joined the team as the Eisteddfod, which started in 1947 to promote peace, faces huge financial challenges.  The new trustees were directly elected by company members and all bring different types of expertise.  Collectively, they will be stepping up to the breach left after the difficult financial decision to make the Executive Producer role redundant, previously held by Camilla King. 

No nonsense Reverend, Rebekah Canon is no stranger to the arts.  The ‘tuk tuk’ driving RAF Chaplain trained as a professional Actor and Theatre Director.  She worked internationally in Thailand, Bali and Russia on multi-disciplinary, large-scale performance and events. She is now an RAF (Anglican) Chaplain who has made Llangollen her home with her partner Gerallt. 

Rebekah, who loves gardening and jumps out of planes for fun said,  “I am utterly thrilled to be involved in contributing towards the future of the International Eisteddfod.  It is a unique event that has directly contributed to making Llangollen such a special place.  The heartbeat of our town is synonymous with the diversity, inclusivity and artistry of the Eisteddfod and I’m focused on seeing that continue for generations to come.  To play a key role in safeguarding our peace festival that welcomes the world to Llangollen every year is an amazing privilege.” 

Shea Ferron, at 20 is already a well-known figure in Llangollen.  In May, he was a member of the John’s Boys Chorus who reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent.  The drama student is a former Choir of the World winner and joined Alfie Boe on stage in July to rapturous applause.  Shea is the youngest ever Trustee at the Festival and has been involved in the festival, in various guises, since childhood.  Shea is combining his work as trustee with studying in his final year at The Institute for Contemporary Theatre in Manchester. 

Shea said, “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, like the arts, is in my blood.  Since I was a youngster, it has been a major part of my life.  Some of my first memories are from this inspirational festival.   I am both honoured and grateful to be joining the board of trustees at such a critical point in the Eisteddfod’s 76-year history, ensuring the festival is here for generations to come.” 

The strengthened board have already held a huge open evening, bringing together the committees and volunteers (many new to the Eisteddfod); that saw dozens of supporters brainstorming ideas to safeguard the future of the festival.  The board have additionally already met several times as they put planning in place for next year’s festival.  Fundraising plans are being finalised as the team work to ensure the future of the festival. 

Another familiar face joining the board is Selana Kong, who loved the Llangollen Eisteddfod so much that herself, her husband Bill and son Daniel relocated 6000 miles just to be closer to it. For years, Selena and Bill travelled over from Hong Kong to volunteer.   Now they live within walking distance of Llangollen’s Royal International Pavilion and Selana wants to reach out across the world to continue the Eisteddfod’s peace tradition. 

Selana, a professional coach, mediator, and consultant said, “The Llangollen Eisteddfod is an amazing festival and in a polarised world, our message of peace and unity is as vital today as it was in 1947.  I want to continue the tradition of our festival reaching out to the world.  Bill and I fell in love with the Llangollen Eisteddfod and frequently travelled back to volunteer.  In 2019, we decided to cut the commute and move here lock, stock and barrel.  When I was asked to stand for election to the Eisteddfod Board, I jumped at the chance.  It is an amazing opportunity to give something back to the festival that changed our lives and ensure it can continue to change others.” 

Other new members of the board include Allison Davies, a former teacher at Ysgol Dinas Bran who has been heavily involved in the festival for decades, and Karen Price; who has been involved in the festival all her life – first helping with the famous flowers and more recently as Chair of Competitor’s Committee and the UK Competitor’s Liaison Officer.  Communications professional David Hennigan has also been elected on to the board.  He first sang at the Llangollen Eisteddfod in 1985, met his wife at the festival and has now relocated to the beautiful town.