In-demand Welsh band Mabon will feature on BBC Radio 3’s World Routes this Saturday (November 6, 3pm)
The six piece South Wales “InterCeltic” group were recorded as they presented a lively showcase at the WOMEX world music trade fair in Copenhagen on Saturday night. Frontman, acclaimed accordionist and tunes composer Jamie Smith also recorded a backstage interview for the world music programme.
The WOMEX special, presented by Lucy Duran and produced by Roger Short, will feature “some of the freshest talent in world music” as captured at the event. It will also feature performances by Finnish accordion virtuoso Maria Kalaniemi, and Danyel Waro, a key singer from the Reunion Islands. It will be available on Listen Again for 7days.
Selected to showcase for Wales by the Welsh Music Foundation, Mabon (meaning autumn equinox), perform a finely brewed blend of InterCeltic music and rabble rousing funk folk. The band also features Young Scottish Musician of the Year finalist Calum Stewart on wooden flute and pipes and stand-out fiddler Oli Wilson-Dickson. Jamie’s Bridgend-based father Derek Smith, who founded the original Mabon, plays acoustic guitar and the line-up is completed by Cardiff’s Matt “The Hat” Downer on bass and the irrepressible Iolo Whelan from Pontyclun on drums and percussion.
Mabon, who also recently featured on BBC Radio 2’s Mike Harding show, are back on the road on Thursday, picking up their UK tour at Cardiff’s The Globe. Advance Tickets, price £12(£10 concessions) from 029 20 230130 or online at www.theglobecardiff.com. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets on the door are £15.
The tour continues with dates in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol.
