GORGEOUS PLACE FOR FESTIVAL
THE UK’s first singer songwriter festival is being staged next month in North Wales.Gorjys Secret Festival in the Conwy Valley on September 17 is being organised by a new events company set up by four partners who are hoping to boost the local economy.
Among them is professional drummer and singer Gavin Mart, whose own musical credentials include opening for the likes of Dame Shirley Bassey and Motorhead, and also performing with Corinne Bailey-Rae and a host of top rock names around the world.
Mercury Prize nominated folk singer and fiddle player Seth Lakeman will top the bill at the event, to be held in the grounds of Caer Rhun Hall Hotel, with tickets now on sale.
Performances are also lined up from blues guitarist Marcus Bonfanti who has played with Robert Cray and Chuck Berry, former Squeeze and folk guitarist Nick Harper, world beat box champ Bellatrix, blues vocalist Katey Brooks, South Wales four-piece Climbing Trees, Seattle-born exbusker Tom Butler and Manchester-based duo We Were Strangers.
North Wales based performers include comedian Tudur Owen, acoustic guitarist Paul Bodwyn Green, and Caernarfon singer Sera, while there will also be “Introducing…” sessions for emerging artists.
Gavin co-founded events company Gorjys with Anna Openshaw, Tansy Rogerson and Jonathan Hughes, along with the 3RDSPACE bar and venue, a social enterprise based in the Great Orme Brewery in Builder Street, Llandudno.
He will also be performing at the festival, which is backed by Conwy County Borough Council, Go North Wales, Surf Snowdonia, Zip World and Engedi Arts.
Gavin said: “This is a real celebration of singer-songwriters, and that’s reflected in who is appearing. We wanted to showcase touring artistes, rather than the big arena bands.
“There will be local food produc- ers, with craft ales, plus stalls showcasing arts and craftspeople.”
Gavin, who was involved for many years with Greenbelt, the UK’s oldest festival, added: “I’ve been in the music industry for 20 years now, and so this festival is also celebration of my two decades performing and organising musical and alternative arts events.
He grew up in from Llandudno Junction, as his father was rural dean in the Conwy Valley for 20 years. He trained as a drummer after studying at St David’s College, before forging a career as a session player in London and beyond.
“I am interested in culture on the margins, and that’s why I created 3RDSPACE at the Great Orme Brewery. We want to unearth the treasure of our local culture, and showcase what’s happening here,” said Gavin.
During the day the 3RDSPACE is a social enterprise, and in the evening it is a performance space for audiences of up to 100, with monthly music and comedy nights and a wide range of popup and bespoke events, with food at the weekend - it was named the Best Food and Drink Venue at the 2016 Conwy Business Awards.