Village set to host first ever music festival

A VALLEYS village will host its first ever dance music festival this summer.

The SunDance Festival will hit Tonyrefail’s Ely Valley Miners Club for a full-day event, with dozens of artists and local food vendors set to turn out.

The idea was dreamt up by keen festival goer Ian Owen, who said: “The aim of the SunDance Festival is to bring the community of Tonyrefail and the surrounding communities including local businesses together in order to boost the local economy and spread belonging and togetherness through the love of dance music.

“As a music producer and DJ myself I know how hard this industry can be to crack especially coming from our Rhondda Valley. I’m keen on putting some zest into the Valleys this summer and inspiring more people to follow their dreams.

“All our DJs are local and some have already made big waves overseas in the likes of Ibiza, America, Europe, and UK wide.”

Mr Owen, who previously served 12 years in the military, is “taking a gamble” by privately funding the festival, with all of the suppliers sourced from within the village or the surrounding areas, including Crispy Cod and Sub-Zero, featuring performances from Ashley James, Boy Griff, Carwyn Harris, Puff and more.

The day will include a BBQ, open-air bar, ice cream van and other refreshments, body and face painting, rodeo, volleyball, full stage PA and visuals, and fire dancing.

There will also be transport to take festival goers to the after party, which is held in Platform 11 in Pontypridd.

The festival will take place on July 29.