TICKETS: https://hdfst.uk/e107432

BURNING FERNS

Hailing from Newport, South Wales, Burning Ferns are a five piece band specialising in finely crafted guitar pop with a healthy side order of Welsh psychedelia.

Formed in 2010, the original line-up of songwriter, Tony Gray (guitar/vocals), Nathan Abraham (guitar/vocals), Brychan Todd (bass/keyboards) and Slim Short (drums) honed their craft around the venues of Cardiff and Newport before putting out their

debut album, See Saw Seen in 2013. Released on Newport-based independent label, Country Mile Records, the album met with positive reviews that focussed on the band's perfect harmonies and guitar interplay, leading to extensive play on BBC

Radio Wales including selection as one of the station’s artist of the week.

After an extended hiatus, the band returned in 2018 with the release of their second album, Public Mono. Preceded by the AA side single, Bullet Train/Fuses Blow, the album saw an addition to the line-up with the arrival of guitarist/vocalist, Dave Corten.

Now boasting rich, three-part harmonies, the album again received a hugely positive response with extensive radio play including a live session for Janice Long, as well as shows with Gruff Rhys, Martin Carr and Jon Langford.

The band’s final lineup change preceded the demos for the follow-up to Public Mono in 2019 with the departure of Slim, and the arrival of assimilated New Yorker, Erik Stams (Darling Buds, Jon Langford & The Men Of Gwent) on drums. Work on the album ran headlong into the Covid pandemic leading the band to resort to remote collaboration with short recording sessions when lockdown restrictions allowed. It was a painstaking process that resulted in a marked change in the band’s sound. The first fruits of this enforced, new approach came in March 2023, with the release of the Town Crier/Nothing To Hide, AA side single which sold out within a week of release. Their perfectly formed third album, World Of The Wars, was released in April 2023. Glowing reviews in both Record Collector and Shingdig Magazine, highlighted the acute song craft, playing and arrangements found on the record invoking comparisons with Steely Dan, Super Furry Animals, XTC and Teenage Fanclub. The album was selected for inclusion on BBC Radio Wales Arts Show receiving glowing praise from panellists, Gary Raymond, Simon Wright and Dr Emily Garside, with Simon succinctly summing things up; “I’m astounded by it. It’s just one great song after another”.

Sold-out shows followed in the band's home venue, Le Pub, as well as Carmarthen’s Cwrw Bar. World Of The Wars was also included on the longlist for 2023 Welsh Music Prize.

The album will be reissued on vinyl on 29th March 2024.

ENGLISH WEATHER

An indie folk duo formed at art school in Bath, Jack March and Aidan Petrie boast a dual song-writing partnership packed with catchy melodies, beautiful harmonies and a full, rich sound. English Weather are a refreshing, modern take on the Folk Music Scene of the 1960s & 70s with a quippy dynamic to match. Already with glowing support from BBC Introducing and Richer Unsigned.

LUNAR
Lively five-piece light rock band from Caerphilly, South Wales. The band is fronted by singer/songwriter Rae Goman whose strong vocals are backed by lead guitarist Lewis Mines, rhythm guitarist Tomos Williams, bassist Alex Love and drummer Callum Farrow. They play original material and unusual covers. Rae, who also performs as a solo acoustic artist, easily builds a rapport with the audience, and keeps the energy flowing throughout their sets.
Lunar was formed after the release of Rae’s first album ‘Old Footsteps’, which showcases her ability to craft infectious melodies and catchy lyrics. Her debut single ‘Sixteen’ has received extensive airplay on radio stations such as 365 and Planet Rock.
Together the members of Lunar put on an energetic show and are sure to get listeners on their feet and dancing.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4pRergLxauySkEB13AZ73K
https://www.facebook.com/lunarbandwales/
https://www.facebook.com/raegoman.music
OLD MOLL
With one foot in Bristol and the other in South Wales, Old Moll brings folk-tinged melancholia from both sides of the Severn, drawing on tales of folklore, family history, and the magic of place.
https://open.spotify.com/track/6VkNUisBmVpxm72sAR7Gl7?si=9c8e297785d04335