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RISING STAR BROOK FOX JOINS EMELI SANDÉ IN LLANGOLLEN WORLD EXCLUSIVE

Posted & filed under Featured, News, Uncategorized.

 

Friday July 10

Fresh from a breakthrough year and fast emerging as one of Wales most exciting new voices, singer-songwriter Brook Fox will bring his heartfelt indie‑rock energy to Llangollen this summer when he supports Emeli Sandé during her world‑exclusive, one‑night‑only orchestral spectacular.

The BBC Radio Wales A‑Lister will open the show on Friday July 10 as part of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, setting the tone with his soaring melodies and honest, down-to-earth songwriting at the iconic Welsh venue.

Final tickets are available at llangollen.net 

Hailing from the coastal town of Burry Port, Brook Fox began writing music during the 2020 pandemic, drawing inspiration from artists such as Sam Fender and Catfish and the Bottlemen. Their influence helped shape his early direction, particularly through sharp, working-class storytelling. Blending indie-pop and rock influences, Fox has developed a distinctive sound defined by relatable lyrics and emotional honesty.

Brook has already built an impressive reputation on the live circuit, supporting Liverpool favourites Keyside and Welsh pop sensation Mali Haf, while also sharing festival stages with major acts including McFLY and Kaiser Chiefs. With his debut EP Everybody’s in Love set for release later this month, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year, with his Eisteddfod appearance marking a major milestone in his rapidly rising career.

His inclusion in the Eisteddfod lineup also reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to championing emerging talent and showcasing the next generation of artists on one of the country’s most iconic stages.

Emeli Sandé burst onto the music scene in 2012 with her debut album Our Version of Events, which featured timeless hits such as Next to Me, Read All About It (Part III), and Clown. The record became the UK’s biggest-selling album of the year, earning critical acclaim and praise from legendary artists such as Madonna and Alicia Keys.

Since then, Sandé has continued to evolve artistically, with her acclaimed albums Let’s Say For Instance (2022) and How Were We to Know (2023) highlighting her emotional depth and musical versatility.

Raised in rural Aberdeenshire by a Zambian father and working-class Cumbrian mother, Sandé grew from a shy teenager into one of the UK’s most influential and celebrated voices. Her emotionally charged performances and soaring vocals have earned her multiple BRIT Awards, an Ivor Novello Award, and an MBE for services to music — securing her place among Britain’s most decorated musical talents.

Joining her on stage in Llangollen will be The Absolute Orchestra, conducted and arranged by the Eisteddfod’s Artistic Director Dave Danford. Renowned for pushing creative boundaries and pioneering cross-genre collaborations with artists such as KT Tunstall and Kosheen, the orchestra will blend soul, pop, and symphonic brilliance into a truly unforgettable night of live music.

Artistic Director of the festival, Dave Danford said: “Bringing together world‑class artists with bold new voices is at the heart of what makes Llangollen and the Eisteddfod so special. Brook Fox is an exceptional emerging talent and pairing him with Emeli Sandé and The Absolute Orchestra will create a night that celebrates both the future and the brilliance of live music.”

Founded in 1947, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is one of the world’s most vibrant celebrations of music, dance and international friendship. Held annually in Llangollen, North Wales, the festival brings together thousands of performers and visitors from across the globe, uniting cultures through creativity, performance and competition.

Following a record-breaking 2025, the 2026 festival is set to be its most ambitious to date. Alongside an expanded programme of competitions, this year’s line-up features an exceptional series of concerts and large-scale collaborations, including bespoke orchestral performances with internationally renowned artists. These landmark events sit at the heart of an increasingly diverse programme, reaffirming Llangollen’s reputation as one of the UK’s most distinctive international arts festivals.

 

For more information and to purchase tickets visit llangollen.net

 

FOLLOW EMELI SANDÉ
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

 

FOLLOW BROOK FOX

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The New Zealand Youth Choir Wins Llangollen’s Choir of the World

Posted & filed under Featured, News, Uncategorized.

    In a spectacular climax to 4 days of world-class performances, the New Zealand Youth Choir was crowned Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod 2025. In a thrilling finale, the mixed choir captivated the adjudicators and proudly lifted the prestigious Pavarotti Trophy, presented by Nicoletta Mantovani and Eisteddfod Chairman John Gambles.

The dramatic announcement, made by Artistic Director Dave Danford, ignited jubilant celebrations. The New Zealanders launched into an impromptu haka, before racing to the stage to join their conductor David Squire, who also claimed the coveted Jayne Davies Conductors Prize.

Meanwhile, Nachda Punjab Youth Club from India danced their way into the hearts of the audience and judges alike, triumphing as the Lucille Armstrong Dance Champions. Waving the Indian flag and glowing with pride, their joy lit up the Pavilion as they received their trophy from Sir Terry Waite.
The evening’s special guest, West End superstar Lucie Jones, flew in directly from touring Taiwan with Les Misérables to deliver two show-stopping sets. Her breathtaking rendition of Wicked’s “Defying Gravity” brought the house down and earned a rapturous ovation.

The Choir of the World concert is the crowning jewel of a week featuring over 4,000 competitors from around the globe. A highlight of the evening was a heartfelt speech by Nicoletta Mantovani, widow of Maestro Luciano Pavarotti. She spoke movingly about Llangollen’s influence on her late husband and his enduring affection for the town, where he performed in both 1955 and during a triumphant return in 1995. She then proudly presented the trophy bearing his name to the New Zealand Youth Choir.

During the interval, audiences enjoyed a special mini documentary on Pavarotti, produced in partnership with Decca Records to celebrate the Maestro’s 90th anniversary year. As part of the tribute, Decca also illuminated the iconic Castell Dinas Brân with a spectacular light show over the 700-year-old castle.

Dave Danford, Artistic Director of the Eisteddfod said, “What an amazing night – congratulations to the New Zealand Youth Choir and their inspirational conductor David Squire. To win Choir of the World in Llangollen, where standards are so high, is a phenomenal achievement. For Nachda Punjab Youth Club to be crowned Dance Champions is also a fantastic result – they’ve been dazzling all week. Huge thanks go to Lucie Jones for her barnstorming performance, to Sir Terry Waite, Nicoletta Mantovani, the team at Decca Records, and above all, our incredible volunteers. Tonight showed exactly why the Llangollen Eisteddfod is so loved across the world.”

The Eisteddfod concludes tomorrow with a Family Fun Day from 10am–4pm, featuring beloved children’s TV presenter Andy Day and his brilliant band Andy and the Odd Socks. The day’s highlight will be a lunchtime concert in the Pavilion, produced in partnership with Music for Youth, showcasing incredible young talent from across the UK and the festival’s international performers.

There will also be a variety of family-friendly activities throughout the site and exciting performances on the Eisteddfod’s outdoor stages.

The festival ends tomorrow on a truly unforgettable note with a sea-inspired evening concert featuring legendary bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, folk favourites Fisherman’s Friends, and the ethereal voice of Eve Goodman.

Eisteddfod 2025 Results:
Choir of the World 2025:
New Zealand Youth Choir
Jayne Davies Conductors Prize:
David Squire, conductor of New Zealand Youth Choir
Lucille Armstrong Dance Champions:
Nachda Punjab Youth Club, India

Young performers shine in Eisteddfod competitions.

Posted & filed under Featured, Music, News, Uncategorized.

Young performers have been showing how important Llangollen Eisteddfod is to them as they shone in its competitions this week.

At last year’s festival well-known local actor and singer Shea Ferron was the winner of the Voice of Musical Theatre competition.

And now it appears he and his girlfriend Hannah Williams have made a bit of Eisteddfod history after she took the same coveted title earlier this week.

A delighted Shea took to social media to say: “So b***** proud of Hannah! She absolutely smashed it out the water today. Just a few weeks ago she told me that she was pulling of the competition because ‘what’s the point,’ she said.

“I insisted she carried on because knew she had it in her to win the competition and she only goes and gets FULL MARKS in the competition. Proud is definitely an understatement.

“As far as we know, we are the first couple in the Eisteddfod’s history to win the same competition two years consecutively. Making history together and hopefully will continue to as a couple in the creative industries.”

Also showing the breadth of young talent that exists locally at the Eisteddfod was 15-year-old Rose Burgon.

Singing the song Somewhere in the Under 16 Musical Theatre preliminary round at Llangollen Town Hall, she went on later the same day to take a highly respectable second place in the final on the Pavilion main stage – wearing a dress she made herself.

Rose will next perform in Around Town during the current Llangollen Fringe Festival and will sing at the Bridge End at 3.30pm tomorrow (Sunday).

She moved to Llangollen two years ago and enjoys singing a range of music from 60s folk music to opera and musical theatre.

She is a regular at local open mics and other events in and around North Wales and has recently enjoyed performing as Cinderella in Into the Woods with Llangollen Operatic Society.

Her proud mum Rachel said on social media: “It was an amazing performance. Rose – you sang beautifully and held that enormous stage so well! You should be incredibly proud of yourself! Also, equally blown away that you made your own dress for the occasion (out of a bedsheet). You really are a real life Maria Von Trapp.”