Caerphilly Castle is gearing up to welcome Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley and 90s Britpop band Ocean Colour Scene.
In what will be the first gigs of their kind at the 13th Century Grade I listed castle, Ocean Colour Scene will be marking the 20th anniversary of the release of their Moseley Shoals album by performing it live on Saturday September 17.
The following night, Tony Hadley, front man of iconic British legends Spandau Ballet, will close the weekend of concerts within the inner walls of the castle.
Hadley recorded 20 singles and eight hit albums with Spandau Ballet before embarking on a solo career that produced another seven albums and more hit singles.
His show features songs from more recent times, in addition to pop classics like True, Gold, and Through The Barricades.
Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Hadley said he was looking forward to the evening.
He said: “Anything that’s different is good and making use of a castle is like wow – how fantastic is that?
“I’ve done Rochester Castle a couple of times and that’s amazing too, so anything that’s culturally beautiful and is a great setting is going to be great for music.
“I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be great.
“This will be my first time [visiting Caerphilly], so for us and the band, it’s going to be exciting.”
The singer, who featured prominently on our TV screens last year in reality show I’m a Celebrity… has been busy writing and recording a new album, which will be released when his record company “gives me the money”.
Last year he finished off a world tour with Spandau Ballet, in addition to a documentary film about the group, and did not rule out another reunion with his bandmates.
The 56-year-old said: “For me, Spandau is something that we should do every few years. I think the other guys in the band wanted it to continue, but as I said to them, I’ve been a solo artist for longer than I was ever in Spandau Ballet for.
“We had a fantastic tour and it was brilliant, but I think it’s important that it is something that we do rarely.
“I don’t know when we’ll get together again, certainly not for the foreseeable future because I’m already getting booked up for next year and with the album and everything else. But never say never.”
The two concerts by Ocean Colour Scene and Tony Hadley are being staged by independent Welsh music promotor Orchard Entertainment.
Tickets are available from 02920 230 130, www.ticketmaster.co.uk, and Blackwood Miners’ Institute.