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Nestled deep in the heart of South Wales, Rudry village once again hosts its own grassroots gathering with the return of Rudry Music Festival, being held on Friday July 13, and Saturday July 14.
Now in its third year, Rudry Music Festival is a dazzling kaleidoscope of world-class original, diverse, eclectic and inspiring live music from both established and up-and-coming contemporary, alternative, and traditional artists.
Featuring arts, crafts, spoken word, nature activities, fine local food, ale and cider, and the opportunity to pitch a tent under the summer stars in the countryside close to the Parish Hall, the festival, now known as Off the Beaten Track, has something for everyone.
Visitors can camp at the site, with activities going on between 6.30pm and midnight on Friday July 13, and midday and midnight on Saturday July 14.
Promising to make attendees feel “miles away from the hustle and bustle of modern life”, the festival is a community initiative, with all proceeds donated to Rudry Parish Hall and leading mental health charity, Sane.
Friday evening’s line up sees the True Strays draw on influences from Muddy Waters, British Invasion R&B, Grunge and modern day blues artists to bring a tent full of people into a Friday night frenzy; Nick Harper (son of the legendary UK singer-songwriter Roy Harper) who for over a decade has been dazzling audiences with his heady mix of virtuosity, boyish charm, showmanship and sheer bravado; the magical voice of Alys Williams who has wowed audiences up and down the country with unique interpretations of both traditional and modern songs, and Ivan Moult who inhabits a curious, gentle space set between the 1970s folk/blues tradition and modern, confessional lyricism.
Saturday’s mix features: The Eskies’ gothic-tinged fun-fuelled gypsy-folk that meanders from sea soaked waltz to Italian tarantella, through Klezmar knees-up and ragtime finger snap; Irish music-maker Orla Gartland, influenced by Joni Mitchell, Regina Spektor and Imogen Heap with 11.5 million views on her You Tube channel; the single-minded, idiosyncratic Sweet Baboo, who’s a restless soul with a gift for a deft lyrical turn – from the darkly funny to the twinklingly boastful; the vibrant and energetic Echo Town performing contemporary freedom songs using lap-slide guitar, djembe, didgeridoo and harmonica; multi-instrumentalist Rodney Branigan whose rich, soulful Jeff Buckley-esque voice compliments an original blend of progressive folk, rock, flamenco, classic, bluegrass and jazz sensibilities; 19-year-old curly-locked songstress Lucy Jones, who’s silky-rich voice is raw and emotionally charged – call it Tracey Chapman meets Amy Winehouse; the harmony-driven Americana of Mahouts; the mesmerizing and timeless songs of Tendons; the contemporary apocalyptic folk-blues of Joe Kelly and the Royal Pharmacy; and the fun and music-loving friends of Holiday In The Mind.
Rudry Music Festival continues to be a not-for-profit event, raising funds for the local community, and partnering with UK mental health charity SANE.
For more information visit www.rudrymusicfestival.org.
Tickets for the weekend cost just £42 for an adult, £21 for youth and free for under 14s. This includes a pitch for a tent (dependent on availability).
Music-lovers who just want to attend on the Saturday can do so for £32 per adult, £16 per youth with under 14s again free.
Tickets are available via www.wegottickets.com/location/7510.
