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
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