upfront
PONTY’ S BIG WEEKEND
A host of poptastic performers will descend on Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd this month for the return of Ponty’ s Big Weekend, which sees chart-topping boy band JLS headlining the in-demand annual weekend event on Sat 20 July. Famous for hits including She Makes Me Wanna, Beat Again and Everybody In Love, the group will take to the stage for one of their last performances after recently announcing their decision to split up. Having previously appeared at the event back in 2010, the group are currently working on their farewell greatest hits album and tickets for their show in Pontypridd have already flown out with a further 5,000 tickets released to meet demand. Bolstering the line-up for Saturday’ s performance are Little Mix, Union J and another special guest yet to be announced. Formed on the X-Factor, girl group Little Mix were the first band to be crowned winners of the competition, and they have subsequently gone on to further success with a platinum-selling debut album. Performing alongside the ex-talent show competitors are graduates of the same show Union J, who will be performing on the Saturday following a recently signed new record deal. The popular two-day music event will also see fans descending on the open space for an eclectic mix of performers on the Sunday. The Overtones headline on the Sunday with their uplifting, soulful sounds influenced by the vocal groups of the 50s and 60s. There’ s also a distinctive Welsh influence on Sunday, as Rhydian Roberts, Sophie Evans and The Siren Sisters all prepare to take to the stage and impress the crowds alongside Tenors Of Rock and James Williams. At just £ 5, Sunday offers bargain value entertainment perfect for those who’ ve missed out on the previous day’ s entertainment. Now in its sixth year, Ponty’ s Big Weekend is putting South Wales on the music festival map, and this year’ s event promises a feast of pop music pleasure like none before. RHIANON HOLLEY
BLYSH
Ponty’ s Big Weekend, Sat 20-Sun 21 July, Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd. Tickets: £ 20( Sat), £ 5( Sun). Info: 08000 147111 / www. pontysbigweekend. co. uk
TIME has flown since the first of Wales Millennium Centre’ s annual Blysh festivals of cabaret, circus and vaudeville. This summer marks their fifth festival which, as usual, will take place in and around the Centre in July. For the first time, the festival will have its own venue, a baroque-themed Spiegeltent situated right outside the Centre, providing a cosy environment with rich fabrics, wooden carvings and its own cabaret charm. Headline performances will take place in the Spiegeltent, which will also see dance evenings and gigs throughout its three-week stay in the Bay. Highlights include Blysh festival favourites Mary Bijou, who are back with the brand new show Hitch, which has been created especially for Blysh. Hitch is an insight in to Alfred Hitchcock’ s darkly creative mind, taking you into a world of suspense and intrigue. The festival also sees the return of the deliciously dark duo Bourgeois And Maurice who are part of a triple bill in the Spiegeltent alongside hilarious pop educators Frisky And Mannish and comedian David Hoyle. This year also sees the return of Briefs. This entertaining, perversive cabaret troupe from Australia first visited Cardiff for last year’ s Blysh festival where they performed a stand-out show and became a firm favourite with their own unique brand of drag, gymnastics, vaudeville and boylesque. This year’ s show looks set to be another winner. Throughout the festival there will also be free performances in and around the Centre featuring acrobats, jugglers, stuntmen, comedians, dancers, circus performers, musicians and plenty more. You can also take part in a circus workshop with NoFit State, join a carnival fiesta with SWICA and find yourself at a Silent Disco or Cabaret Ceilidh. A strong programme of live music complements the rest of the festival, and you can sample everything from the 90s electro-pop of Bright Light Bright Light, to rock‘ n’ roll oompah music from Oompah Brass via party jazz, the nostalgic Siren Sisters and Big Mac’ s Wholly Soul Band. All in all it looks to be a great festival so full of great entertainment you’ ll be spoilt for choice. JEN THORNTON
Blysh Festival, Wales Millennium centre, Cardiff Bay, Fri 19-Sun 4 Aug. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www. wmc. org. uk
BUZZ 16