RecRock Rock School | 11:00 – 11:40
A performance by some of the most talented young musicians from Caerphilly County. The performance is a culmination of a week-long, rock school the young people have attended. Get in touch with RecRock for more information for Caerphilly-based young people interested in developing their music skills: [email protected].
Naomi Heap (Duo) | 12:00 – 13:00
Naomi Rae hails from the northern music metropolis of Manchester but now calls the rising urban sprawl of Cardiff her home. Inspired by everything from 70’s funk to 90’s pop, her soul infused tunes showcase her incredible pipes and her Bond-esque ballad ‘liar’ proves she’s a skilled songwriter who can deliver atomic-sized anthems.
Naomi Rae’s addictive melodies will be an instant hit with fans of Adele, Emeli Sande and Leona Lewis. Airplay includes Adam Walton for BBC Introducing and play listed to BBC Radio Wales.
Russell Jones Jr. | 13:10 – 14:00
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Russell Jones Jr. is jazz swing artist, He used to be a member of the choir ‘Only Boys Aloud’ who came third in Britain’s Got Talent, 2012, Russell was also part of 2017’s XFactor, performing ‘Jungle Book’.
He has worked and performed with some of the biggest names: Ellie Goulding , The Saturdays and Conor Maynard, and performed for the likes of Amy Childs and Gemma Collins From ‘TOWIE’. He has also performed at London’s fashion week’s ‘The Royal Fashion Day’, and has performed on the cobbles at Coronation Street for the Christmas Special.
Ragsy
14:00 – 14:20 / 15:30 – 15:50 / 17:00 – 17:20 / 18:25 – 18:40
Ragsy is a South Wales based singer-songwriter. He appeared on The Voice in 2013 and was mentored by fellow Countryman Sir Tom Jones. Since the show, Ragsy has been continuously performingat various events, showcases, venues and festivals such as Glastonbury. Also supporting established artists such as The Proclaimers, James Dean Bradfield and Max Boyce.
2018 has been exciting year so far for Ragsy with his performance as one of the eight finalists on ‘Can i Gymru / Song for Wales’ singing ‘Ti’n Frawd i Mi’ (written by Owain Glenister) which aired on S4C St David’s Day. 2018 will also see the release of his second album ‘One More For The Road Vol 1’ which
will be recorded in Welsh as well as English. The album will be released in the summer with the promotional tour to follow.
The Bakestones | 14:25 – 15:25
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Starting back in 2012, The Bakestones are a five piece, Harmonica sucking, guitar plucking, foot stomping band. With an eclectic mix of original music ranging from a raw bluesy sound to funky rock.
The band are from Nelson, Caerphilly in South Wales & consists of three brothers & two best friends: Sean Rogers on lead vocals/harmonica, Paul Rogers, on lead/rhythm guitar and Liam Rogers on bass are Joined by Dai taylor (drums) and with the recent acquisition of Rhys Tyler on lead/rhythm guitar to complete the lineup.
The Bakestones are regular festival performers, playing places like Caldicot Castle’s Cider Festival, Welsh Warrior Fest and The Big Love Festival to name just a few. They pride themselves on getting the crowd bouncing to their catchy, original tunes.
They’ve had success with regular plays on U&I Radio, BBC Radio Wales, BBC 6 Music, as well as their hit Video ‘King without a Crown’. Catch them live as you will not be disappointed! (Facebook @TheBakestones).
Donnie Joe’s American Swing | 15:55 – 16:55
Swinging jazz, infectious rhythms, witty tunes, and poignant songs:
Donnie Joe’s American Swing brings them all together for the best in Swing Jazz from the 30s, 40s & 50s.
Their repertoire features hits from our 3 favourite Louis; Armstrong, Jordan, & Prima, as well as many classics from the Swing Era. It’s music with a beat that will surely put a smile on your face, get your toes tapping, and make you feel like dancing.
The group features:
Don ‘Donnie Joe’ Sweeney (Guitar & Vocals), Heulwen Thomas (Fiddle & Vocals), Tamasin Reardon -(Alto Sax), Gareth Hall (Piano & Vocals), Ashley-John Long (Upright Bass), Greg Evans (Drums).
The Albino Frogs | 17:25 – 18:25
Simply known as ‘The Frogs’ to their ever growing number of followers supporting their upbeat music, this four piece band from the South Wales Valleys appeals to all ages, as they deal out plenty of funky Latin rocky grooves, getting your feet tapping and body swaying. It doesn’t end there, there’s also some jazz and country thrown into the mix for good measure. The song-writing is top draw; it gets you going with instantly hummable melodies and memorable hooks, so much so, that by the second chorus you’re singing along! Its Steely Dan meets Huw and Cry meets Little Feet, for those who like comparisons, but for this band, truly original and quirky is what they’re about.
Solid yet funky bass (Daryl Cook), and drums/percussion (Dai Lewis), serve to underpin the slap and tickle guitar style, and powerful vocal of Ian Day, while Ric Lawton’s virtuoso saxophone, puts the icing on the cake. With 3 and 4 part vocal harmonies in abundance, The Frogs generate a very full, tight and inspiring sound.
For the past few years, they’re welcomed back to festivals such as Brecon Jazz, Reading, Cheltenham Jazz festival, Swansea International jazz and Llandeilo Jazz, to name a few. They have just completed their third album, and also there is interest from as far afield as Austin Texas. The Albino Frogs have had their music presented at the prestigious MIDEM Cannes Music Festival with favourable responses from as far afield as South America.
Headliners
The Red Hot Pokers | 18:45 – 20:00
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The Red Hot Pokers formed in 1984 and as well as working continuously as a separate entity, have worked as a backing band for visiting US blues and rock’n’roll artists. These include Lowell Fulson, Carey Bell, Lazy Lester, Frankie Ford, Big Al Downing, Nappy Brown, and Big Jay McNeely many more. The band has toured extensively throughout Europe and has played in Canada and the Far East.
The Red Hot Pokers became Van Morrison’s touring band in the early 2000’s and are featured on his album ‘You Win Again’. The band’s current live set is a mixture of styles – very much blues based, but country, soul and reggae are included too.
The present line-up consists of founder member John ‘Ned’ Edwards on Guitar, Fiddle, Harmonica and Vocals; Pete Hurley, who has played in the band since the mid 1980’s, on Bass Guitar; Hywel Maggs on Guitar; Marc Palladino, brother of acclaimed bass player Pino Palladino, on Drums.
