MUSIC SPECIAL
With summer fast approaching, festival season will soon be upon us – and there’s plenty of choice inWales. Ben Mills picks 12 massive music events that you really shouldn’t miss during spring and summer 2018
The Alarm, Dreadzone, Beans on Toast and Captain Ska.
The festival is not-for-profit, with a constitution to support music, arts and creativity in the area and raise the profile of the town.
While the event has no political alignment, it has seen participation from Plaid Cymru, Labour, SNP and Liberal Democrats in previous years. Where: Singleton Park, Swansea. When: Friday, May 25 to Monday, May 28. Tickets: Sold out. BBC Radio 1’s annual extravaganza makes its way to Swansea in 2018.
For the last weekend of May, the city’s Singleton Park will play host to a number of artists performing in what the BBC have dubbed “the biggest single music event ever attempted”.
The hyperbole could be justified, as the two days are headlined by superstars Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, with performances from the likes of Craig David, Wolf Alice, Niall Horan, Rita Ora and Sam Smith.
Unfortunately, the event sold out within minutes, with Swansea residents receiving priority when it came to ticketing.
The BBC has prevented resale on tickets, so if you missed out, you’re out of luck. Fear not, though, as Radio 1 will be showcasing highlights across the weekend, so no one has to miss out. Where: Carreglwyd Estate, Holyhead. When: Thursday, June 7-Sunday, June 10. Tickets: £165, over 18s only from www.gottwood.co.uk.
Set to the backdrop of Carreglwyd Estate in Anglesey, Gottwood Festival returns for its ninth year in 2018.
The electronic music festival is an ideal weekend break for the musically experimental and open-minded, providing a platform for underground electronic music artists and DJs.
The Lazerdome is a stage not to me missed, featuring a dark, laser-filled room that will become a spectacle to behold.
Confirmed acts include San Proper, 2 Bad Mice, DJ Nomad, DMX Krew, along with dozens more. Where: Principality Stadium, Cardiff When: Wednesday, June 6 Tickets: Start from £25 and go for upwards of £150 plus fees from www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Perhaps the event of the summer is Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s show at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The power couple will be kicking off their four UK dates in the Welsh capital as part of their On the Run Tour II.
Fans from all over the UK will be descending on Cardiff on June 6 for the spectacle, possibly a once in a lifetime event.
Those hoping to get their hands on tickets will have to move fast, as there’s no doubt that this will sell out (if it hasn’t already).
Should you miss your chance to attend the Cardiff date, the duo will also be playing in Glasgow, Manchester and London across the following week-and-a-half.