Bank Holiday weekend Bristol and Wales: Feedback’s top picks for local live music

By Dennis Minter

23 May 2024

Bank Holiday weekend is the perfect time to watch live music, so across Great Britain, Feedback have done the searching to find you the best artists you’ve never heard of. If you live in Bristol or Wales, here are some of the best musicians playing in your area that you should go and watch on this long weekend. 

Friday 24 May Top Pick – Dafydd Owain + Cyn Cwsg + Lila Zing @ Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham

What venue are they playing?

Tŷ Pawb, Market St, Wrexham LL13 8BB

How much is it? 

For a cool £3, you can watch three separate live music performances, as Tŷ Pawb collaborate with Clwb Ifor Bach in their #DyddMiwisgCymru tour

Dafydd Owain is mainly known for his contributions to other bands such as Palenco, Bür Hoff Bau, and Omaloma, but is now taking up a solo career that features a concept album in which Owain’s songs all take place in the same imaginary village. The record was nominated for the Welsh-language Album of the Year at the Boduan National Eisteddfod 2023

Cyn Cwsg, also Welsh speaking, have featured on BBC 6 music many times with their hit Lôn Gul. Hailing from Cardiff initially, the band play a dreamy pop style that makes for a beautifully easy listen.

Lila Zing is an experimental artist who also features regularly on BBC Radio programming. All of Lila’s songs are tuned to a 432Hz frequency, and delve into an ethereal world that give you the impression you are tuned into a different time. 

Social Media: 

Find out more about Dafydd Owain, Cyn Cwsg and Lila Zing and purchase tickets here.

Saturday 25 May Top Pick – Multiple artists @ UPFEST, Bristol

What venue are they playing?

The Tobacco Factory, Raleigh Rd, Southville, Bristol BS3 1TF, United Kingdom

How much is it? 

For absolutely free, you can come and watch various DJ sessions from midday until 8pm at the Tobacco factory courtyard to kick off your long weekend.

Upfest also features large scale art projects around Bristol and the Tobacco Factory, so it makes for the perfect day roaming around the city taking in the sunshine, music and art.

Social Media: 

Find out more about the event and what is on throughout the festival here.

Sunday 26 May Top Pick –  Hannah Wicklund @ The Globe, Cardiff

What venue are they playing?

125 Albany Rd Cardiff South Glamorgan CF24 3NSa

How much is it? 

At £16.50 for a General Admission ticket, this gig is the most expensive of the weekend, but this South Carolina native, who once supported Greta Van Fleet, is more than worth the money. 

Armed with a rocked-out guitar and a beautiful singing voice, Hannah Wicklund is sure to blow you away with her groovy riffs and soaring vocals. Her music is heavily influenced by classic rock, and offers a refreshing update to a very well trodden musical path.

This show is a part of her Hell in the Hallway world tour, which promotes her second album The Prize, which she released this year, 6 years after her debut Hannah Wicklund and the Steppin Stones.  

Social Media: 

Find out more about Hannah Wicklund and buy tickets here

Monday 27 May Top Pick –  The Dharma Burns @ Canteen, Bristol

What venue are they playing?

The Canteen, 80 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QY

How much is it? 

Rounding off your long weekend for absolutely free, you can catch Bristol based blues rock duo Dharma Burns play an acoustic set at The Canteen.

From 8:30pm until late, the blissful but punchy twosome will take you through layered guitar work and impressive vocals with songs such as Shallow Eyes, Have Another and Devil’s Back For The Summer.

Finish your weekend right and take yourself down to The Canteen to witness a masterclass in live performing.

Social Media: 

Find out more about Dharma Burns and the venue here.

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