Feast of folk at venue with laid-back feel
FOLK at the Hall (FATH), a folk music festival organised by family-run TRJ Management, will take place this Friday and Saturday at Trelawnyd Village Hall.
The festival is easy to get to and has 11 performances (indoor). TRJ Management provides the local foods and ales. A local farm provides the camping. The people take care of the rest.
The music is at the heart of what the festival is about. Friday has become the more lively part of the experience. TRJ Management books more upbeat bands, and, although there are chairs, space is left for dancing. Saturday is seated, and more chilled.
The organisers tend to book artists they have enjoyed over the year. Every penny received goes into the quality of the programme.
Every effort made by the family and wonderful volunteers is for you to have a brilliant time, whether that is in baking cakes for you, or transporting you from the campsite to the Hall (and back). The atmosphere is laid back but focused on your experience.
FATH 2017 produced some moments which many felt to be one of the top festival experiences of their lives. That cannot be guaranteed every year, but that is the organisers’ goal.
This year’s lineup includes Karen Matheson, widely recognised as the compelling vocalist in Celtic heroes Capercaillie, and more recently solo artist.
Welsh folk band Calan breathe fire into the old traditions with their infectious rhythms and high voltage routines before melting into some of the most beautiful and haunting songs, with great fun, a sense of humour and step dancing from a champion dancer who dances in a style unique to Wales.
False Lights are a six-piece electric folk group led by multiple BBC Folk Award winners Sam Carter and Jim Moray.
Based in the traditional music of Great Britain, but not constrained by its usual modes of performance, they have transcended their original aim to make “folk rock for the 21st century” to become one of England’s most startling and exciting acts.
Other performers are Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar; Gilmore and Roberts; Rachael McShane and the Cartographers; Leicester-based folk singer, songwriter and activist Grace Petrie; Hannah Rarity, whose spellbinding voice and warm, genuine stage manner have turned her into one of Scotland’s foremost young singers; multi-award winning duo Ninebarrow, who are impressing audiences across the country with their innovative and captivating take on the folk tradition; Ryan Young with Jenn Butterworth; Gnoss, a dynamic four-piece of fiddle, flute, guitar and percussion, and more acts are yet to be announced.
For more information, including how to get to the festival, details of camping at nearby Pentre Ffyddion farm, and to order tickets, visit www.therecordjournal.co.uk.