Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

You can let your hair down and not worry about driving home at Jazz@Llandeilo. Late bus tickets are available Saturday and Sunday nights, 20 minutes after each closing act, so approx. 12.20 on Saturday and 10.20 on Sunday. The buses will depart from Llandeilo Car Park towards – Llandovery via Llangadog – Carmarthen (A40) – Ammanford. You can get your tickets at £3.50 per person. Details on the website – http://www.jazzatllandeilo.co.uk/4490/bus-tickets-available-2/

With just a few hours remaining before the deadline for tickets, the Jazz at Llandeilo festival is on course to be a complete sell-out. “Demand for tickets has been massive,” said Festival Organiser Simon Buckley. “What’s been amazing is the demand for tickets from all over the UK – and we’ve also had ticket applications from abroad. “This is the fourth year for Jazz at Llandeilo and the event is now a firm fixture on the musical calendar. “2015 is set to be bigger and, better and with more than 30 bands on three stages, there will be music for everyone. “Based on a line up of Jazz, Blues, and local bands, Jazz at Llandeilo is now fast becoming one of the top West Wales summer music festivals. “The world famous Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders (pictured above) are the headline act this year. Andy has only just returned back home to Wales after concerts with Eric Clapton at Madison Square Garden in New York and the Royal Albert Hall in London. “Last weekend, he did an acous...

There’s an inspired line-up of bands and acts for the Jazz@Llandeilo 2015 weekend on July 3-5. Guaranteed to be a major hit at the festival are the wonderfully-named Fasta Benj, pictured above. Fasta Benj had only just formed when they were showcased at the festival two years ago. Since then, they’ve gone on to be described as “Quite simply, the best Gypsy Circus Ska Band around today.” Sadly, seven band members will be heading for new pastures shortly, so the Jazz@Llandeilo gig will be their last for a while. So, there’s an extra special reason not to miss them! The accurate description of the band bills them as a seven piece balkman surf-punk band from South Wales. They play music to make you stamp your feet and shake your bottom. One thing is for sure – it’s going to be a great Saturday Night Party at The White Horse in Llandeilo. Other acts on the line-up include - The Dukes and the Duchess Inspired by some of the most classic jazz melodies and arrangements of all time, this ta...

One of the busiest men during the Jazz@Llandeilo festival will be the event’s musical director David Brockwell. “It’s always a wonderful challenge putting together an event like this and I am sure that fans of great music will have a ball,” said David. “I’ve been working alongside the team at Evan Evans Brewery on Jazz@Llandeilo since the event started. “This is Year No 4 and we have made great strides since the first festival. “The aim is always to provide something for everyone – something to suit different musical tastes, something for young and old. “This year, we have a magical line-up led by the wonderful Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders. “They are one of the busiest touring bands in the country, performing up and down the land, week in, week out. They are also in huge demand internationally and we are very lucky to secure their slot for Sunday night.” David added: “As always we try to showcase new and up and coming talent during the festival and we will be doing our ve...

Andy Fairweather Low, one of the UK’s best-known guitarists, will be headlining Jazz@Llandeilo 2015. Fairweather Low will arrive at the fourth annual jazz festival in Llandeilo (July3-5) hot on the heels of landmark concerts with Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The festival, centred around the Evan-Evans brewery ‘tap’ pub, The White Horse Inn, continues to grow every year. This year, the festival will boast three different stages and more than 30 different acts. “It is now a fixture on the jazz music festival calendar for the UK and is hugely popular with festival-goers and musicians,” said James Buckley of the Evan-Evans brewery. “It is a wonderful showpiece occasion to put Llandeilo on the map. Andy Fairweather Low is regarded as music royalty – an international artist with a wonderful reputation. He is the headline act, but there will also be a lot more quality entertainment during an action-packed weekend.” Fairweather Low has established a reputation as a peerless...

The Welsh Assembly Government today debated the support that the Government in Cardiff gives to local, festivals and events that drive tourism and support the rural economy. William Powell, Lib Dem AM for Mid Wales, questioned the level of support that was available for a rural festival. Mr Powell made reference to the Llandeilo Jazz Festival (Jazz@Llandeilo), which is now in its third year and going from strength to strength. Mr Powell paid tribute to the local people and businesses - notably the Evan-Evans Brewery- who worked tirelessly to stage the festival. The AM then called for more to be done to put 'best-practice' guidelines in place for summer festivals. He said that the Government should ensure that such cultural events – especially those primarily funded and run by private individuals and communities – were able to access the advice and support they needed, so that best practice could be shared across Wales. Simon Buckley, the organiser of Jazz@Llandeilo a...

With the sun blazing and the countdown on to the start of Jazz@Llandeilo 2014, the town is gearing up for what will be the third annual jazz festival (July 4-6). With two main venues - the Angel Hotel and the new outdoor arena at the rear of the White Horse Inn - the festival is set to attract jazz lovers from all over Wales. Continuing the international theme of previous years, the festival will feature traditional New Orleans style jazz from the French band Zauto Stompers. Returning for the third year will be Cardiff singing legend Li Harding and her trio. This year The Jiveoholics are back following their debut in 2012, along with 20 other bands, and more than 70 performers from all over Wales. This year, there is a greater emphasis on providing opportunities for local musicians to play on the village green and for buskers to come and play in the side streets of town. Festival organiser Simon Buckley, chief executive of the Llandeilo-based Evan-Evans brewery, said: “Whatever the...