A GROUP of young musicians who give a fresh and vibrant sound to traditional Welsh music will be among the star attractions at a music festival in St Asaph.
Calan will bring their award-winning sound to the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral on September 18.
The group breathe new life into the old traditions through their melodies and foot tapping tunes along with spirited and energetic performances of Welsh step dancing.
The concert is part of a varied programme at this year's festival, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary and runs from September 17 to October 1.
Among the highlights are performances by early music group Red Priest, the spectacular Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, along with resident orchestra NEW Sinfonia.
The event relies on support from the Arts Council of Wales and the headline sponsor, the Pendine Arts and Community Trust that was set up by the Pendine Park care organisation to provide funding for arts and community activities.
Other sponsors include Jones Bros, Colwinston Charitable Trust, Arts & Business Cymru, Tŷ Cerdd, Salisburys Accountants, Tŷ Architecture and manorhaus.
Since the release of their popular debut album Bling in 2008, Calan have gone on to play to large audiences at concerts and festivals, including the Cambridge Festival, Glasgow’s Celtic Connections, Shrewsbury Folk Festival, the Bromyard Folk Festival as well as the National Eisteddfod.
As well as the UK, audiences in the USA, Belgium, Italy and France have also given them a terrific reception, with the group winning the award for best group at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany.
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Calan are made up of five members but only four - Sam Humphreys (guitar), Patrick Rimes (violin), Bethan Rhiannon (vocals, accordion and step dancing) and harpist Shelley Musker Turner - will appear at St Asaph.
Violin virtuoso Patrick, who hails from Bethesda, near Bangor, said: “It’s a privilege to play in a building so steeped in history. With the audience’s help, we’re going to raise the roof. It’s going to be a great night.”
They will showcase their critically-acclaimed latest album, Kistvaen, at the concert, which was released just before lockdown and was toured live for the first time during April this year.
“Kistvaen is what we are about as a band,” said Calan’s guitarist Sam Humphreys, from Nefyn.
“We recorded it just before the first lockdowns, and we were gutted when we found out we could not take it on tour so we could show everybody our hard work.
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"We spent hours handpicking our favourite tunes and songs from the national archives and gave them a new lease of life and now, at last, we have been able to share it."
In a brief break during the various lockdowns, the band performed with the National Orchestra of Wales and, last Christmas, a worldwide online concert from Brecon Cathedral with opera giant Sir Bryn Terfel and organised by New York's Metropolitan Opera House.
North Wales International Music Festival director Ann Atkinson said: "Calan perform traditional music delivered with a fresh, dynamic and vibrant sound.
"I can safely say it's another great year and there are going to be some really exciting concerts that involve young people and members of the community working with leading international soloists."
More details about the festival can be found at www.nwimf.com and tickets are also available from Cathedral Frames, St Asaph (01745 582929) or Theatr Clwyd (01352 344101).
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