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Megaday is returning to Caerphilly this weekend with its ‘Megafest’ event.

The annual charity music festival will be held at Virginia Park on Sunday, August 27, with proceeds going towards Velindre Cancer Centre.

The event marks the 27th edition of Megaday, which has so far raised £375,000 for Velindre since it began in 1995.

Ten local bands will be playing on the day, including the up-and-coming Redwood City, which includes 17-year-old Shay Furgusson, 16-year-old Evan Burridge, 15-year-old Peter Doble, and 14-year-old Oscar Hartland – who played Neil the Baby on Gavin and Stacey and starred on The Voice Kids this year.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, organiser Martin Tipples said: “We’re hoping to make it a good one this year.

“With the will of God and a good attendance, we’re hoping to reach the £400,000 mark.

“With a good wind behind us, we’ll get there.”

Last year’s event, which was the first Megaday since the Covid-19 pandemic, raised £20,700 for Velindre.

Martin continued: “It’s all done by volunteers, even the bands don’t get paid. It’s all for Velindre.”

Visit Eventbrite to buy tickets for this year’s Megafest.

History of Megaday

Megaday has raised more than £375,000 for Velindre since it began in 1995, with six local bands performing in the first ever edition.

The volunteer-run event was set up in memory of Caerphilly musician Andrew Nichols, who lost his battle with cancer that same year.

Andrew was known to friends as ‘Mega’ and so the event was named after him.

In August 2001, Paul “PG” Grahame, who had been instrumental in the organisation of Megaday from the outset and had performed at every Megaday with his band, PG and the Tips, also passed away from cancer.

Following this, the Megaday organisers became more determined than ever and the music festival has been held in memory of both Mega and PG ever since.