The massive events in Cardiff this weekend
THIS weekend is set to be another busy one in Cardiff as stars of music, comedy, and sport all pay a visit to the capital.
There has been no shortage of high-profile events in the city lately, with the likes of Diana Ross, Ed Sheeran and Bonnie Tyler all drawing huge crowds either side of Wales’ World Cup qualification heroics.
Cardiff has built a reputation for holding huge events, with Sheeran claiming the title of the biggest gig ever held in Wales during his recent three-night run at the Principality Stadium. Chaos on the roads following gigs and sporting events runs the risk of spoiling this reputation, however, as the Echo has widely reported.
Nevertheless there is sure to be plenty of buzz around the city this weekend ahead of some muchanticipated events.
The likes of Stereophonics, Sir Tom Jones and comedian Rhod Gilbert will all be stopping by at venues across the capital, getting huge crowds singing along and laughing in equal measure.
There will be opportunities to experience something a bit different too, with urban sports and the Welsh language also being celebrated across the city.
Whatever you’re into, there’s something for everyone in Cardiff this weekend.
Here’s our rundown of the biggest must-see events coming to the capital.
Stereophonics and Sir Tom Jones at the Principality Stadium
It’s been a long wait for fans of the Welsh music greats but Stereophonics and Sir Tom Jones will finally be taking to the stage at the Principality Stadium this weekend. Both legendary acts will be performing in Cardiff tonight and tomorrow.
The huge gigs were originally due to take place on December 17-18 last year but were postponed
due to the rise of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
Promoters and the stadium made the decision to push back the shows as they believed the gig would not be able to be compliant with Covid restrictions, issuing an apology to all due to attend.
Since the shows were postponed, Llandudno’s Catfish and the Bottlemen have announced they would no longer be performing at the Principality Stadium “due to unforeseen practical issues.” However, their slots will instead be filled by Newport rock band Feeder tonight and by Gruff Rhys tomorrow, while Cardiff’s own Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard will be performing on both nights.
Gates to the Principality Stadium open at 3pm.
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard will kick off the show on both days at 3.40pm, while tonight Feeder will perform at 4.45pm and Gruff Rhys kicks off tomorrow at 4.45pm.
On both days Sir Tom Jones will take to the stage at 6.15pm and Stereophonics will begin their set at 8pm.
Tafwyl 2022 at Cardiff Castle
The annual festival of celebration of the Welsh language is back for 2022.
The weekend-long Tafwyl Fair at Cardiff Castle tomorrow and Sunday will feature performances and appearances from some of the biggest Welsh names in the arts, culture and sport, with Welsh-language music taking centre-stage.
The free family-friendly festival will have a lively mix of music, literature, drama, comedy, art and sports.
There are also a number of mouthwatering food and drink options, with a street food area
delivering delicious food from local producers and eatery owners.
A fringe festival also runs alongside this weekend’s fair, with events being held in museums, libraries, cafes, bars and arts venues across the capital.
Hundreds of people gathered at Cardiff Castle for last year’s event as live music returned for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Urdd Urban Games in Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay will be taken over by skateboarders, BMX bikers and basketball players as a free urban sports event comes to town.
The Urdd Urban Games will see Roald Dahl Plass transformed for the weekend as a number of competitions for children, young people and professionals take place.
The Oval basin will play host to a variety of events, including wheelchair
basketball, breakdancing, BMX, skateboarding and more across tomorrow and Sunday.
There will be taster sessions for other events like DJing, scootering, graffiti, parkour and wheelchair motocross, while there will also be participant competitions with cash prizes.
It’s not all just about the sport, however. An Urdd Urban Village, sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University, will feature food and drinks vendors, DJ trucks, and “come and try” vendors for spectators and participants.
The games will be held from 10am to 6pm with competition registration on both days between 9am and 10am and an official launch event will be held at the Urdd’s Cardiff Bay Centre tomorrow between 10.30am and 11.30am. Everyone must register in advance for the weekend competitions through the event’s website.
Rhod Gilbert at the Motorpoint Arena
The Welsh comedian will return to Cardiff this weekend after taking a seven-year break from stand-up comedy.
His appearance in the capital forms part of his tour The Book of John, which had also been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Tonight’s show is billed as being “a little bit raw, very personal and brutally honest”.
The show description adds: “No more lies, no more nonsense. This is Rhod, but different, the same, but not.
“It’s a show about hitting rock bottom, and just when you think things can’t get any worse, you meet a bloke... a bloke called John.”
In April the former Never Mind the Buzzcocks presenter issued an apology to fans after being forced to reschedule his show in Swansea due to medical advice from his doctor.
The Carmarthen-born comic was due to perform at Swansea Arena on Thursday, April 28, but postponed after suffering from a sore throat.