Entertainment

Classical Crossover Stars Richard and Adam Coming to Pembrokeshire

Published

4 months ago

August 23, 2021

NARBERTH & WHITLAND ROTARY are delighted to confirm that top Welsh Classical Crossover Singers Richard and Adam are coming to headline their Grand Charity Concert this autumn.

The concert, originally scheduled for October 2020 has been rearranged for Saturday the 9th October 2021 at the Follies Theatre, Folly Farm and will also feature Whitland Male Choir and the winners of the Rotary Pembrokeshire Young Musician Competition.

Welsh brothers Richard and Adam first burst onto the nation’s TV screens on Britain’s Got Talent, making it to the final in 2013 performing their classical crossover version of ‘The Impossible Dream’.

The show established them as two of the greatest vocalists singing opera in this country.

They credit their ‘Nan’ as being their biggest influence. When they were young she played music by Enrico Caruso, Mario Lanza and The Three Tenors and she encouraged them to sing along, building their confidence and encouraging them to follow an opera career. They honed their craft, playing live gigs and performing with the Birkenhead Operatic Society. When they won a local talent competition, the offers came flooding in and they began performing professionally on cruise lines before their big break on Britain’s Got Talent.

Having made it to the final, the boys signed a record deal and have since had a number one album, ‘The Impossible Dream’ that remained at the top of the charts for four consecutive weeks, breaking UK records. A sell-out UK tour followed and a number five charting album titled ‘At The Movies’ that competed with international artistes including Dolly Parton! Their fourth album ‘Believe’ again reached the top 10 in the UK charts and was number one in the classical charts.

Richard and Adam have also had the opportunity to perform at the prestigious London Palladium and Olympic stadium, and more recently at the Liverpool Empire, where they received standing ovations on ‘Britain’s Got Talent Big Celebration’ with acts such as Susan Boyle and Paul Potts.

As they start a new chapter, and with the increasing commercial appeal of classical crossover and musical theatre genres, Richard and Adam are focusing on their future and will once again be touring all over the UK with a brand-new show.

Rotary Club of Narberth & Whitland President, Rotarian Elaine Bradbury said that the club is both honoured and delighted to have such a popular and much liked duo to headline their concert in aid of The Wales Air Ambulance and other charities supported by Rotary in the year ahead and speaking this week Adam Johnson said on behalf of the brothers that they are really looking forward to coming to Pembrokeshire.

Tickets for the concert, which are sure to be in great demand are now on sale and can be bought online at www.nwrotary.co.uk and also for cash at local outlets, Dales Music Shop, Tenby; Rock ‘n Rolla Boutique, Narberth and The Creative Cafe, High Street, Haverfordwest.

Entertainment

Côr Dyfed to perform Messiah

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2021

Cerys Lafferty

Côr Dyfed

A PERFORMANCE of possibly the greatest of all choral works, Handel’s Messiah, is something to look forward to, especially after the hiatus caused by Covid.

This immensely popular work will be sung by Côr Dyfed Choir in St Davids Cathedral on Saturday December 11th at 7pm.

Acting Music Director Luke Spencer will conduct the choir, with four renowned soloists:

Ros Evans, soprano

Ralph Thomas Williams, countertenor

Peter Wilman, tenor

Stephen Hamnett, bass

With the acclaimed British Sinfonietta accompanying, this opportunity to begin celebrating Christmas in spectacular surroundings promises to be a very special occasion.

Tickets: Front Nave £22, Rear Nave £18, Side Aisles £12 unreserved (Under 16 free)

Available online at www.dyfedchoir.co.uk

Telephone Ticket Source 0333 666 3366* or 01348 840312* (Mon – Sat 10am – 1pm)

*All telephone and online ticket purchases subject to a booking fee

Entertainment

Jodie Marie & Band returns to Narberth

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2021

Cerys Lafferty

Jodie Marie

NARBERTH’S Jodie Marie has come a long way since being ‘discovered’ as a teenager in 2012 by Bernard Butler (of Britpop band Suede). He produced her debut album, Mountain Echo, which launched her career on the national and international stages.

Since then Jodie has returned to her home county, bought and renovated a chapel in Clarbeston to create a state of the art studio, StudiOwz, with her partner Owain Fleetwood Jenkins, and settled down to write and record the album she always wanted to make.

Together they have made music that resonates with the traditional virtues that recall Bonnie Raitt, Etta James or Loretta Lynn. Others listening hear Amy Winehouse or The Black Keys.

They collect and use vintage equipment, the same gear that would have graced the recordings of Little Feat or Booker T.

Many good things came from the brush with stardom, particularly the long lasting songwriting partnerships with Ed Harcourt and Dan Smith.

The journey also helped Jodie find where she wanted to be and the value of authenticity in music. Like soul, it’s either something you have or you don’t.

And Jodie undoubtedly has soul. That is evident from even a cursory listen to the new album, The Answer, an amazing collection of songs, full of light and shade, space, passion, and beauty.

Now Jodie returns to her home town of Narberth to officially launch that album at The Queens Hall on Friday 26^th November at 8pm with her full band – Jimmy Brewer (guitar), Tom Sinnett (bass), and Jack Beddis (drums) plus a few very special guests.

Support from Smith & Brewer – a duo with a contemporary Everly Brothers feel.

Tickets from thequeenshall.org.uk/whats-on or call Box Office on 01834 861212

Entertainment

Tenby beach on Manic’s new album cover

Published

7 months ago

May 21, 2021

Luke Sinclair

THE MANIC STREET PREACHERS have used a image of Tenby’s South Beach – which features views of Caldey Island on the cover of their up and coming album cover.

The Welsh bands new album The Ultra Vivid Lament is due to be released on September 3.

Bassist and Lyricist Nicky Wire has owned a property in the seaside town for the last 15 years.

The image shows Wire standing on the shore looking out to Caldey Island.

Nicky has also been part of the art scene in the picturesque town when he showcased an art exhibit at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery in September 2018.

Speaking on Tenby Nicky said: ““I think Tenby is unique, and I’ve been to loads of seaside towns. It’s kind of self-contained, still working – you can go to an art gallery, have a great cappuccino, an amazing bag of chips, and just wander around on the beach,” he remarked.

“Having a place down here has been more than inspirational – it has inspired a lot of my lyrics, especially ‘Postcard from a Young Man’ – that album in particular.

“I remember my first trip to Tenby vividly when I was about seven to ten – the shops were still open at night, and we had a fantastic bag of chips and played cricket on the beach!

“The first thing that hits you is the harbour itself – it is truly picturesque. You have South Beach, North Beach, the view to Caldey – the town itself incased by the original Castle walls – a fantastic Georgian terrace, all the blue plaques for Augustus John, Gwen John, Nina Hamnett, Beatrix Potter, and the museum itself – everything a man could need!

“For me it’s just the stillness of it – the minute I get down here, everything just slows down.

“It’s a very historical and artistic town, and makes me a bit of a better person when I’m down here,”