Cardiff’s newest pub will be blowing its own trumpet this weekend (September 24-26) as it stages a ground-breaking free music and beer festival.
The Cricketers, just a ‘six-hit’ away from Glamorgan’s Swalec Stadium in Cathedral Road, is making its bow as a new venue for the very best in live music.
And the venue has a Welsh music legend topping the bill.
Mike Harries Root Doctors will be headlining on Sunday (September 26).
Saturday (September 25) will see the renowned Acoustic Zeppelin as the main attraction.
“It promises to be a real treat for jazz and music fans in Cardiff,” said Cricketers owner Simon Buckley.
“I have been a massive fan of the Brecon Jazz Festival and I have been happy to make sure that event is supported by staging events at one of my other venues, The George Hotel in Brecon.
“The capital city of Cardiff needs a capital venue with a convivial atmosphere for quality music and I hope that this first festival will be the first of many similar events at The Cricketers.”
The festival will run from Friday, September 24, with visitors on the opening night being encouraged to try some of the award-winning ales from the Evan-Evans brewery in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.
Evan-Evans won the True Taste of Wales award for the Cwrw ale last year and there will be other seasonal brews on tap for fans of real ale.
The festival’s headline act is a living legend in Welsh music.
Mike Harries has been making music in Cardiff since the late 1940s, for the most time in the New Orleans traditional style.
He formed the Root Doctors in 1987, bringing together a group of both experienced and young musicians, proficient in a variety of musical styles.
The musical styles may be many and varied but you are guaranteed one thing with the Mike Harries Root Doctors – and that’s fun!
The full festival line-up is as follows:
SATURDAY 25th SEPTEMBER
2pm ACOUSTIC ZEPPELIN: Carey Beor’s Well respected Swansea based four-piece.
“The most original tribute band I have seen,” is a comment often heard. They make the songs their own and now cover Robert Plant solo material also.
Acoustic Zep’s reputation is growing fast and this is a kick off date (only one in Cardiff) of a new tour, with loads of new Zep material.
4pm THE ARNOLDS: Mid Wales based acoustic duo Kevin and Ed Arnold play their first gig in Cardiff. The Arnolds mix original material and covers by Dylan , Steve Earl and even an original twist on The Undertones Teenage Kicks ! Have had great local reviews following their recent album “The Songwriters Diary”
6pm MIKE MARKEY & NICK JONES: Stalwarts of the Welsh blues scene and great entertainers. Mike & Nick have played alongside luminaries such as Walter Trout, Dave Kelly, Kent DuChaine, Mike Sanchez, Duck Baker, John Renbourn, Dana Gillespie, Dino Baptiste, Zoot Money, Wizz Jones. Markey has an authentic blues voice, deep, resonant and convincing. Jones is an accomplished finger picker and a superb slide guitar player. Watch out for the famous loud Mike Markey suits and hats made to order in California!
8pm THE UNIVERSAL TRANSLATORS: This power rock/pop trio are all exceptional musicians in their own right and play in other bands in Mid Wales – The Universals came together two years ago when they decided to do the songs that they want to do. Expect to rediscover forgotten classics alongside great upbeat dance material and superb harmony singing.
SUNDAY 26th SEPTEMBER
2pm MIKE HARRIES ROOT DOCTORS – a Welsh musical legend described by the OBSERVER as “…A remarkable band…the pride of Cardiff”.
Trombonist/Vocalist Mike made his first appearance in Cardiff in 1947. He’s in his 70s now and is still funky with the emphasis on a stew of New Orleans Gumbo and infectious funk. Mike formed The Rootz in 1987 and many great musicians have passed through the ranks. He has assembled possibly the best group of musicians working in Wales around him with Sarah Campbell-Horner’s outstanding vocals centre stage. The emphasis is on maximum fun as witnessed in a recent triumphant return to Brecon Jazz at The George Hotel. “Every Root Doctor audience leaves with a smile on its face”
FOLK ROOTS – “Superbly executed, steamy, spicy, brassy funk. Great conviction and good noisy fun.”
5pm “GOS & ANDY”: “Gos” from The Root Doctors and Andy will be playing out the final set of the weekend with outstanding keyboard and guitar work and a mellow vibe – the perfect way to end a great weekend at The Cricketers!
