The Joy Formidable have announced the line-up for Formidable Fest / Gŵyl Aruthrol at The Tramshed in Cardiff on Saturday 23 November 2019.
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The mini- festival has been organised by the band as a celebration of some of the best in Welsh music and art, while bringing some of their favourite artists into Wales.
The special event ties in with the three-piece’s announcement of the release of a special commemorative 10-year double album edition of their acclaimed debut release A Balloon Called Moaning. The double album will include their 2009 EP A Balloon Called Moaning plus a newly recorded acoustic Welsh language version, Y Falŵn Drom.
Written and recorded in a bedroom over a decade ago by lead singer and guitarist Ritzy Bryan, and bass player and vocalist Rhydian Davies in North Wales, A Balloon Called Moaning was an instant hit. Rated 8/10 by NME, it was the first of the band’s releases to feature their now iconic single Whirring – a track that was named amongst Pitchfork’s Top 100 Tracks of The Year and described as “the song of the year” by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl.
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Fresh from a US tour, the show will see The Joy Formidable back in Wales performing an unplugged and electric set showcasing hits from across their career on an eclectic bill that includes Islet, a psychedelic pop band from Mid Wales, Bryde, a singer-songwriter from Pembrokeshire, and Welsh language favourites Chroma and Candelas. Artists from outside of Wales performing are Blood Red Shoes, an alternative rock duo from Brighton, and Walt Disco, a five-piece new wave band from Glasgow. Gwenno and Rhys Peski will be playing D.J. sets.
Lead singer and guitarist Ritzy Bryan said: “We see Formidable Fest as a lovely opportunity for us to invite some bands to play in Wales, in front of an audience that otherwise might not get to see them. That, and having a bill that promotes Welsh language acts and bands from Wales – just a really inclusive night of great music. We’ll be doing two shows that night, one short acoustic Welsh set and the other full electric.”
Formidable Fest will also have three Welsh artists create live art to be auctioned with the proceeds going to charities, one being the ‘North Wales Wildlife Trust’ who devote their time to protect wildlife and nature. These artists are Elinbach, Twinkle as well as Gloom and Gus Payne.
Full music line-up for Formidable Festival:
- The Joy Formidable
- Blood Red Shoes – an alternative rock duo from Brighton
- Walt Disco – a five-piece new wave band from Glasgow
- Bryde (acoustic) – singer-songwriter from Pembrokeshire
- Islet – psychedelic pop band from Mid Wales
- Chroma – a three-piece rock band from Pontypridd
- Candelas – rock band from North Wales
- Gwenno (d.j set) – Cornish and Welsh language artist from Cardiff
Rhys Peski (d.j. set)
