Live review: Yucatan, Y Pentan, Mold (28 January 2010)
Post categories: Artists, Live, North Wales
| 13:24 UK time, Friday, 29 January 2010
Archives for January 2010
DIY music: putting on a live show
Post categories: Live
| 15:38 UK time, Thursday, 28 January 2010
As well as Radio One, my working week also involves organising gigs in Cardiff's Buffalo bar every Thursday. This is a great opportunity to be able to support Welsh bands beyond the realms of radio, and to really see new bands develop, and pair up some bands who I think musically might inspire and challenge each other.
Duffy splits with manager
Post categories: Artists, Music, North Wales
| 12:39 UK time, Thursday, 28 January 2010
It has been reported by The Sun that Duffy has split from Jeanette Lee, her manager, after five years together.
The relationship had "run its course", the newspaper reported her spokesperson as saying.
Duffy was introduced to Rough Trade's Lee by ex-60ft Dolls man Richard Parfitt and Catatonia's Owen Powell after she had appeared on S4C's Wawffactor.
The singer has been much criticised in recent months for her advert for Coca Cola, which was lambasted this week by Blur's manager.
She is currently recording the follow-up to her amazingly successful debut, Rockferry.
Ones to Watch 2010: Leucine
Post categories: Artists
| 16:43 UK time, Wednesday, 27 January 2010
This week we continue our Ones To Watch 2010 run of sessions from new bands who have maybe only started on the tentative journey into rock n' roll manhood, but have caught our attention from the hundreds of demos we get into the office each week, and this week its Leucine.
Leucine are a band formed from friendships based around a nightclub in Rhyl called Frames, where young rock, punk and hardcore bands had a chance to jump about and shout their lungs raw till it closed down recently.
Leucine are a band formed from friendships based around a nightclub in Rhyl called Frames, where young rock, punk and hardcore bands had a chance to jump about and shout their lungs raw till it closed down recently.
Square festival loses its licence
Post categories: Events, Live, North Wales, South Wales
| 13:37 UK time, Wednesday, 27 January 2010
A failure to "meet licensing objectives" has meant the cancellation of this year's Square Festival in Ceredigion.
Los Campesinos! announce big Cardiff show
Post categories: Artists, Events, Live, Releases, South Wales
| 11:00 UK time, Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Los Campesinos! have announced a big headline gig at their spiritual home of Cardiff Students' Union on 21 May.
Speaking on their official website, they said, "It is our pleasure to announce that on Friday May 21st we will be playing a headline show at Cardiff University's Solus venue. It's always a joy to play a show in Cardiff, but playing in the same venue (albeit on a far bigger stage) as our first ever gig, nearly exactly four years on, makes it all the more special."
The band's new album, Romance Is Boring, is released on 1 February.
Duffy accused of 'dismal' ad campaign
Post categories: Artists, Music, North Wales, Television
| 10:07 UK time, Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Automatic single and album details
Post categories: Artists, Radio, Releases, South Wales, Video
| 09:30 UK time, Wednesday, 27 January 2010
A couple of months back, Cowbridge's The Automatic came into Radio Wales to do an acoustic session for the Evening Show.
Bullet For My Valentine confirmed for Download
Post categories: Artists, Events, Live, South Wales
| 09:02 UK time, Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Download 2010, held at Donington in June, has announced its first run of guests, including Wales' Bullet For My Valentine.
The Porthcawl metal foursome are joining a heavyweight line-up which includes AC/DC, Them Crooked Vultures, Deftones, Stone Temple Pilots, Megadeth and Motörhead.
Manics celebrate Glasgow venue's 20th birthday
Post categories: Artists, Events, Live, South Wales
| 08:51 UK time, Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Manic Street Preachers are going back to their early history with an intimate gig at Glasgow's famous King Tut Tut's Wah Wah Hut on February 18.
The return to the 300-capacity venue is part of the venue's 20th birthday celebrations.
Speaking in 2001, the band said of the venue, "King Tut's was the first venue to treat us properly and give us hot food on tour."
Lostprophets reschedule for the CIA
Post categories: Artists, Events, Live, South Wales
| 08:38 UK time, Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Although it had been thought that Lostprophets' gig at the Port Talbot Afan Lido would go ahead despite last year's fire at the venue, it has now been confirmed that it has been necessary to move and reschedule the concert.
Instead of Port Talbot on 1 March, the gig has been moved to the Cardiff International Arena on 1 May.
Lostprophets' guitarist Mike Lewis told Cardiff's Buzz magazine, "We had to cancel the Port Talbot gig after the fire there a few weeks back. At first we thought it wouldn't effect us and it would go ahead as planned but unfortunately not. It's a bummer as we were playing Wales on St David's Day which would have been great, and the the last time we played Port Talbot it was awesome. Instead we're gonna kick off the summer at the CIA on may 1st. Get involved."
More information: https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8479823.stm
Adam Walton playlist and show info: Sunday 24 January 2010
Post categories: Artists, North Wales, Radio
| 13:16 UK time, Monday, 25 January 2010
https://bbc.kongjiang.org/www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00q9p1b/Adam_Walton_24_01_2010/
That up there is the link to this week's show on the BBC's iPlayer. You can listen to the grab bag of Welsh music detailed below any time between now and the start of next week's show (Sunday 31 July 10pm).
Bastions interview
Post categories: Artists, Interviews, North Wales
| 10:31 UK time, Monday, 25 January 2010
Back at the fag end of 2009, I had my mind blown wide open and my brain flambéed in a most thrlling fashion whilst in a most inauspicious venue. It was as unexpected as stumbling through the feruka-killing footwash at the municipal pool to discover Brian Eno doing an impromptu set of ambient non-tomfoolery amongst water-winged screaming toddlers in the yellower end.
Sesiwn Unnos: a creative new project from BBC Radio Cymru
Post categories: Radio
| 16:59 UK time, Thursday, 21 January 2010
What can be achieved in one night? Interesting question! For most of us it'll be an episode of a soap, detective drama and maybe end on a quick blast of news and a possible quiz show before bed. Patterns and routines are terrible things that confine our minds, and tire our ambitions.
Well, BBC Radio Cymru have kicked off their year with a brazen new project and an exciting challenge for producers and musicians alike. Under the watchful eye of host Huw Evans, each Tuesday night a collaboration of musicians are invited into the studio to write and record four songs.
Well, BBC Radio Cymru have kicked off their year with a brazen new project and an exciting challenge for producers and musicians alike. Under the watchful eye of host Huw Evans, each Tuesday night a collaboration of musicians are invited into the studio to write and record four songs.
Adam Walton playlist and show info: Sunday 17 January 2010
Post categories: Radio
| 14:41 UK time, Thursday, 21 January 2010
Listen again until Sunday, and view the show's playlist.
This week's show was brought to you by the distilled rock 'n' roll spirit of Blaenau Gwent's The Guns.
Valleys rock has become Wales' most valuable musical export, but whereas the likes of Funeral For A Friend and Lostprophets are skilled at melding the stylisations of modern metal to great pop hooks, The Guns revel in something more akin to the original fires of rock 'n' roll, the flames that ignited Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis all those years ago. It's a breathtaking, wind in your hair, playing Chevy chicken on the Old Point Road kind of session.
This week's show was brought to you by the distilled rock 'n' roll spirit of Blaenau Gwent's The Guns.
Valleys rock has become Wales' most valuable musical export, but whereas the likes of Funeral For A Friend and Lostprophets are skilled at melding the stylisations of modern metal to great pop hooks, The Guns revel in something more akin to the original fires of rock 'n' roll, the flames that ignited Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis all those years ago. It's a breathtaking, wind in your hair, playing Chevy chicken on the Old Point Road kind of session.
Lostprophets on the Valleys and LA
Post categories: Artists, Interviews, Radio, South Wales
| 14:21 UK time, Thursday, 21 January 2010
Listen again to Lostprophets on the Radio Wales Evening Show as they talk to Alan Thompson about the Valleys Heart and Soul campaign, returning to their old high school and hanging out with Prince.
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Eurosonic day two, Groningen, the Netherlands
Post categories: Events
| 10:51 UK time, Thursday, 21 January 2010
Daytime Eurosonic is all about the conference and talks, just like In The City in Manchester or The Great Escape in Brighton, except by the time I'd done a few interviews at the main centre, the Oosterpoort, there was only one talk worth going to... The Truth about Norwegian Black and Extreme Metal, and I chickened out of this one last minute too! I opted instead for some record shop browsing in Groningen.
Stereophonics first for Cardiff City Stadium
Post categories: Artists, Events, Live, South Wales
| 09:22 UK time, Thursday, 21 January 2010
It was announced yesterday at a press conference at the new Cardiff City Stadium that Stereophonics will become the first band to play the venue.
Demolition of Afan Lido may shelve Lostprophets gig
Post categories: Artists, Events, Live, South Wales
| 13:26 UK time, Monday, 18 January 2010
Despite reports last week that Lostprophets' Afan Lido gig on 1 March in Port Talbot will be going ahead, Neath Port Talbot council have today told BBC Wales that the concert is in doubt after anaysis of fire damage concluded that the majority of the facility will have to be demolished.
Steve Phillips, chief executive of Neath Port Talbot, said: "A structural assessment has been carried out on the Afan Lido complex by independent structural engineers.
"This has confirmed very severe damage has resulted from the fire to the building fabric and primary structure of the pool hall."
The council say that estate managers have recommended the band find an alternative venue.
Welsh opera stars' war of words over 'popera' TV show
Post categories: Artists, Music, Television
| 10:31 UK time, Monday, 18 January 2010
Welsh opera star Rebecca Evans has criticised Katherine Jenkins' new reality TV show Popstar to Operastar, saying that it bears no relation to what she does professionally.
At the Eurosonic festival, Groningen, the Netherlands
Post categories: Events
| 10:56 UK time, Friday, 15 January 2010
Today started a little differently. A drive through the slushing snow
towards Cardiff International Airport. Barely had I bought a coffee and
I was climbing a small cityhopper plane on my way to Eurosonic
festival, held in the northerly town of Groningen, in The Netherlands,
Holland.
Kids In Glass Houses: Saturdays and New Found Glory for new LP
Post categories: Artists, Releases, South Wales
| 13:49 UK time, Thursday, 14 January 2010
South Wales rockers Kids In Glass Houses have announced details of their second album and revealed some special guests appearing on it.
Lostprophets The Betrayed review round-up
Post categories: Artists, Publications, Releases, South Wales
| 11:06 UK time, Wednesday, 13 January 2010
With Lostprophets' fourth album The Betrayed out next Monday, here's a round-up of what critics are saying about the work.
Duffy recruits musicans for second album
Post categories: Artists, North Wales, Releases
| 10:37 UK time, Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Welsh singer Duffy, the most successful British artist of 2008, is reported by the Reuters news agency to be working with Roots drummer Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and songwriter Albert Hammond Sr, the father of Strokes' guitarist Almond Hammond Jr.
Session for the as-yet-untitled second album, her follow-up to Rockferry, have apparently started in New York with the duo contributing production and songwriting skills.
Ones To Watch 2010: VanGuard
Post categories: Artists
| 15:34 UK time, Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Through January on my Radio One show we're recording sessions and mixes
from brand new young artists who showed a huge talent and fervour in
their recordings in the past 12 months. They are first time
sessions and they are our Ones To Watch 2010. This week, please meet west Wales dance production duo VanGuard.
Adam Walton playlist and show info: Sunday 10 January 2010
Post categories: Radio
| 14:57 UK time, Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Listen again until Sunday, and view the show's playlist.
This week's show was rather weather-ravaged, which meant that a couple of guests weren't able to come in and spoil us with their sonic schnizzle. However, that gave us more room for music. Please pay particular attention for the entirety of Under Alien Skies' new EP - especially the bit where our man in continuity faded some emergency music up under a very long radio silence.
This week's show was rather weather-ravaged, which meant that a couple of guests weren't able to come in and spoil us with their sonic schnizzle. However, that gave us more room for music. Please pay particular attention for the entirety of Under Alien Skies' new EP - especially the bit where our man in continuity faded some emergency music up under a very long radio silence.
Shakin' Stevens found guilty of assault
Post categories: Artists, Music, South Wales
| 14:54 UK time, Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Shakin' Stevens, whose real name is Michael Barrett, 61, has been found guilty of assaulting a photographer with a microphone stand.
Hugo McNeice was assaulted at a Shakin' Stevens concert in Ballymena.
Stevens was fined £300 for assault and criminal damage and was ordere to pay a further £479 to McNeice in compensatin for a broken camera lens.
Stevens is intending to appeal, according to his solicitor.
Lucie Jones on her post X Factor career
| 11:40 UK time, Tuesday, 12 January 2010
X Factor's Lucie Jones from Pentyrch near Cardiff talked to Radio Wales' Jamie and Louise show today.
She talked about her career and her plans, including musical theatre and her being signed by a top modelling agency.
Tom Jones film makes Leicester Square debut
Post categories: Artists, Music, South Wales
| 09:20 UK time, Tuesday, 12 January 2010
A low-budget comedy farce about an attempt to sell a senstive part of Sir Tom Jones will be shown on Leicester Square in London's West End this month.
After success in Welsh cinemas, A Bit Of Tom Jones (made for just £100,000) will be shown in the capital's most prestigious cinematic location on 25 January.
A Bit Of Tom Jones stars Torchwood actors Eve Myles and Jonny Owen. Owen told The London Evening Standard, "Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would end up in Leicester Square".
Welsh girl in then out of Liam's band
The News Of The World this morning reported that Louise Davies, the Welsh Oasis fan who runs the band's fansite stopcryingyourheartout was going to be the new bassist of Liam Gallagher's as-yet-unnamed band, who are about to start recording their debut album.
But not so, says Davies, who wrote on her site, "A story has appeared today in the News Of The World falsely claiming that I'm joining Liam Gallagher's new band, and to start recording later this month at Abbey Road studios. Where they get their information from is beyond me."
Welsh acts for Next Big Thing festival
Marina & The Diamonds, Georgia Ruth Williams and Polly Mackey And The Pleasure Principles have been confirmed as acts appearing at the inaugural Next Big Thing festival in London next month.
Friday 5 and Saturday 6 February will see them appear with over 60 of the most hotly-tipped acts in the UK music scene in venues across the city.
Alarm's Gathering comes home to Prestatyn
Post categories: Artists, Events, Live, North Wales
| 10:14 UK time, Monday, 11 January 2010
Faux-Ho-Bish-O-Pi
Post categories: Artists
| 15:55 UK time, Friday, 8 January 2010
Plenty of Welsh bands come and go without leaving much of a mark. Apart from the obvious winners, it can be tricky sometimes to guess which ones will be remembered in five years' time by anyone but their most dedicated fans.
Mo-Ho-Bish-O-Pi formed in Cardiff in 1996 and split up in 2002. In between they released just one album, Vague Us, and a handful of singles and EPs on various labels including Richard Branson's V2, but never really bothered the charts. They did wear sun visors and sounded a bit like The Delgados though.
Mo-Ho-Bish-O-Pi formed in Cardiff in 1996 and split up in 2002. In between they released just one album, Vague Us, and a handful of singles and EPs on various labels including Richard Branson's V2, but never really bothered the charts. They did wear sun visors and sounded a bit like The Delgados though.
Nigel Pulsford, 14 million albums and Gwen Stefani
Post categories: Artists, Interviews, South Wales
| 14:47 UK time, Friday, 8 January 2010
Nigel Pulsford is probably the most successful Welsh musician you've never heard of. He was the guitarist in Bush, the post-grunge band fronted by Gavin Rossdale, who sold 14 million albums in the mid-1990s.
Ones to watch: Hail! The Planes
Its quite a thing to be the first session band of the year, let alone the first band of the decade, and it's a good thing that I've chosen a band with so much creativity, musicality, imagination and life that they are a pleasure to listen to, and a pleasure to watch.
So what makes Hail! The Planes so special? The first thing you'll notice is the spiralling sound of a violin over the crashing post-folk.
So what makes Hail! The Planes so special? The first thing you'll notice is the spiralling sound of a violin over the crashing post-folk.
Lostprophets The Betrayed track by track guide
Post categories: Artists, Releases, South Wales
| 11:47 UK time, Thursday, 7 January 2010
A CDR copy of Lostprophets' fourth album, The Betrayed, landed on the BBC Wales Music desk this morning. Now that they're self-produced and after three years of adversity, how do they sound?
Marina & The Diamonds' advice for musicians
Post categories: Artists, Interviews, South Wales, Video
| 10:06 UK time, Thursday, 7 January 2010
She's just scooped second place in the BBC Sound of 2010 Poll, and Marina Diamandis, aka Marina & The Diamonds has recorded a video on the BBC Introducing website offering her own thoughts about entering the music industry.
Watch the video here:
Watch the video here:
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Get involved in Welsh Music Day
Post categories: Artists, Events, Music, North Wales, Radio, South Wales
| 09:39 UK time, Thursday, 7 January 2010
BBC Radio Wales is in the initial stages of planning Welsh Music Day - a massive celebration of Welsh music in as many of its multifarious forms as we can accommodate this coming St David's Day.
Demo reviews (January 2010)
Time for another trawl through the latest demos / self releases coming out of North Wales.
Manics' 'banned' album sleeve scoops award
Post categories: Artists, Music, Releases, South Wales
| 08:04 UK time, Thursday, 7 January 2010
Although many mainstream chains such as Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's refused to stock the album, Manic Street Preachers' Journal For Plague Lovers has come second in a poll to find the best album art of 2009.
Stereophonics Could You Be The One
Post categories: Artists, Releases, South Wales
| 14:44 UK time, Wednesday, 6 January 2010
The Cwmaman band have announced details of the follow-up to their single Innocent. Could You Be The One, the second single from Keep Calm And Carry On, will be released on Monday 15 February.
"I knew there was something in the melody," said singer Kelly Jones. "I was trying to keep it beautiful rather than piling in for a big chorus."
The single precedes a UK arena tour in March.
Welsh albums out in 2010
| 10:12 UK time, Wednesday, 6 January 2010
This year looks set to be a bumper one for Welsh album releases with over 30 due by our count.
Feeder release Renegades EP
Post categories: Artists, Releases, South Wales
| 09:51 UK time, Wednesday, 6 January 2010
After separating from their drummer Mark Richardson at the end of last year, Feeder are set to release the first offering with their new line-up featuring Karl Brazil and on their new label.
The title track is available from www.feederweb.com from today (6 January).
Hello 2010!
Post categories: Music
| 11:27 UK time, Tuesday, 5 January 2010
It's my first day back at work and, thanks to a lovely restful Christmas, I'm actually quite excited about it. My ears definitely needed a little rest, though, and one day in they've come under quite a bombardment already.
It's time to delete some emails, open late Xmas cards, rip through the post with shiny new albums, and catch up on some quality broadcasting, and get ready for a week of late night music radio. Here are three new things for the year ahead.
It's time to delete some emails, open late Xmas cards, rip through the post with shiny new albums, and catch up on some quality broadcasting, and get ready for a week of late night music radio. Here are three new things for the year ahead.
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About this blog
A guide to music in Wales: blogging on festivals, gigs, events, festivals, news, radio sessions, bands, singers, choirs and more.
Adam Walton's show on BBC Radio Wales has three hours of non-stop new music, exclusive session tracks and interesting chat, live from Wrexham.
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Bethan Elfyn presents live sessions, essential interviews and a mix of classic rock and pop on BBC Radio Wales.
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James McLaren has worked on the BBC Wales Music website since 2006, and has been writing about Welsh music for almost 15 years.
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Laura Sinnerton is a viola player with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
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