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After a three year absence, Megaday is returning to Caerphilly this month with its ‘Megafest’ event.

The charity music festival will be held at Virginia Park on Sunday, August 28, with proceeds going towards Velindre Cancer Centre.

It was last held in 2019, but was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.

Eight local bands will be performing on the day, with a food court, ice cream vans and a host of entertainment on offer.

There will also be a gin and vodka bar, as well as a prosecco bar.

Opening the show will be up-and-coming band Redwood City.

The band is made up of 14-year-old bassist Peter, 15-year-old lead guitarist Evan and 16-year-old drummer Shay, as well as 13-year-old Gavin and Stacey actor Oscar Hartland, who is the rhythm guitarist and vocalist.

Oscar, from Machen, played the role of Baby Neil when he was just six months old, before reprising the role for the Christmas special in 2019.

To attend this year’s event, tickets must be booked online in advance.

Tickets cost £15 for over-16s and £7.50 for anyone aged between 12 and 16 accompanied by an adult.
Children aged under 12-years-old can enter for free if accompanied by an adult.

History of Megaday

Megaday has raised more than £340,000 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.

Around 1,500 revellers attended the last Megaday weekend in 2019.