On Saturday, 24th January 2026, the streets of Colwyn Bay will vibrate with the sounds of the underground as the town hosts the inaugural Yr Arfordir Amgen – Alternative Coast. This multi-venue festival marks a return for the alternative scene locally, bringing the first dedicated Welsh-language and bilingual alternative gigs to the area in many years.
Organised by members of the Pwyllgor Colwyn committee, the festival is a grassroots effort to put Colwyn Bay firmly on the UK’s alternative music map. The event is made possible through the support of ‘Winter Sounds’, Gwynt y Môr Community Fund, Menter Iaith Conwy and ‘Night Out – Noson Allan’.
A Diverse Line-up Across Four Venues
The festival offers a curated journey through genres, from post-punk and indie and psych to experimental electronics and traditional harp music, spread across four popular local venues:
- Ink Gallery (1:00 PM – 8:00 PM): From alt-folk to full on messy psych; featuring Peiriant, Osgled, Yr Onglau, Pasta Hull, Adlewyrchiadau, and a set by Delweddau Hen Dduwiau DJ.
- The Bay Hop (Approx. 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM): A break from the relentless live music; screening cult Welsh alternative classics and music documentaries throughout the day.
- Sheldon’s Wine Bar (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM): A fusion of styles featuring electronic/techno artists Crwban, Archif Sain Peblig, and Bethesda Shipping Co, alongside the beautiful sounds of harpist Helen Wyn Pari.
- The Station Inn (6:00 PM – Midnight): The festival reaches its climax with top performances from Chwaer Fawr, Mascot Moth, Hap a Damwain, Maines, Deckchair Protest, and Ffredi Blino.
Community and Culture
Beyond the music, Yr Arfordir Amgen – Alternative Coast aims to provide a vital economic boost to local businesses during the quiet post-holiday season. By shining a light on the town’s musical heritage and providing a platform for the thriving Welsh-language alternative scene, organisers hope to inspire a new generation of local creatives.
“We’re genuinely excited to be putting this festival on in the heart of the Bay for the first time” says one of the organisers Aled Roberts. “There is a history of alternative and edgy gigs here, most notably on the Pier back in the 70s and 80s – but the Welsh language scene has never had a prominent place in all this, until now!”
Fellow organiser and Menter Iaith Conwy worker, Eryl Jones, added: “Pwyllgor Colwyn have been arranging monthly small-scale events for almost two years, giving the Welsh language more of a ‘normal’ presence in the town, but this is a big step up in terms of ambition, planning and logistics! I really hope people turn out in force to enjoy the vast array of artists we have on, all a couple of minutes walking distance from each other, and create a buzz around town. One of our aims is not only to give the venues involved a financial boost on the day but that many others benefit indirectly from the event and extra footfall it brings during the most difficult month of the year business-wise.”
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, 24th January 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM – Midnight
- Locations: Ink Gallery, Sheldon’s Wine Bar, The Bay Hop, and The Station Inn.
- Admission: FREE (Ink, Sheldon’s & Bay Hop; Donations are welcomed and encouraged to support future events and help cover costs); £5 for The Station.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure entry to their preferred venues, as capacity is limited. Full list and venue timings can be found on the festival facebook page.
