A sound reaction
A MASSIVE music festival is to be organised in Merthyr to raise money for the family of Lewis Popp, who died tragically after being hit by a car on the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road.
The musical community have been shocked by the death of the popular musician and have rallied together, with more than 20 bands coming together at Cyfarthfa Castle to raise funds to help pay for his funeral as well as provide for his mother, who suffers with an ongoing medical condition, with a fund to help her cope with a daunting future without Lewis.
Poppfest has been developed between Merthyr band Pretty Vicious, who were good friends of Lewis, and Redstone Entertainment as a fitting tribute to the Merthyr lad who was a staunch advocate of the local music scene and who was himself a talented musician.
The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 29, from noon until 10pm in a big tent in the grounds of Cyfarthfa Castle.
Acts already confirmed include Pretty Vicious, who will be headlining the concert; playing alongside will be Trampolene, Florence Black, Tracy Island, Adrenaline Animals, Local Enemy, Al Moses, Diggs Galliers and Pastel, with more to be announced shortly.
Pretty Vicious frontman, Brad Griffiths said: “We are delighted that this event is going ahead.
“Once again, the call has gone out for help and the people of Merthyr have answered.
“When Lewis was alive it was his dream to put on his own festival and call it Poppfest and so we discussed the concept with Redstone Events who run the Merthyr Rising Festival and between us we have pulled it together in just two days.
“We are over the moon and think this will be a fitting tribute to our friend’s life.”
A spokesman from Redstone Events added: “When Brad came to us we were delighted to offer our support and expertise.
“Normally we put a large festival together in around 10 months not 10 days but we love a challenge.
“This is such a great cause we had to get involved. We are thankful that the local authorities have got behind us and it looks like everything is set for Saturday, September 29.
“The event will be held in a giant 2,000 capacity circus tent so the weather can do what it likes, it’s going to be huge.”
■ Tickets for this event are on sale now with all profits from the concert being donated to Lewis’ family. To purchase tickets visit www. eventbrite.co.uk ■ To find out more visit the Poppfest Facebook page. ■ Gruff Rhys has added two new dates in Wales to his already announced autumn/ winter tour of North America, the EU and the UK. He plays Swansea Brangwyn Hall on December 5 and Wrexham Live Rooms on December 7. Gruff has also announced a new video for Selfies in the Sunset – the closing track from his fifth album Babelsberg. Directed and animated by Ewan Jones Morris, the video features Gruff and guest singer Lily Cole creating Animojis ahead of the apocalypse!