Cardiff’s international festival returns for a second instalment on 7-17 June.
Following on from a successful inauguration, the biennial arts festival will stage its sophomore edition this summer, with an emphasis on celebrating specially commissioned collaborations and one-off performances.
The organisers have revealed the first wave of acts, announcing rock legend Patti Smith for an intimate evening session and a performance the following day. There’s also rising artist Nadine Shah – who performed an unforgettable live show at Simple Things Festival last year. Welsh artist and filmmaker Gruff Rhys has been booked for a show with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, along with activist Billy Bragg, Scottish folk artist Karine Polwart and singer-songwriter Laura Veirs.
Furthermore, British trio The Tiger Lillies are confirmed for a show, for which they’ll perform one continuous piece to Nan Goldin’s images.
Executive producer Sarah Dennehy said on the line-up, “This first announcement is just a snippet of what’s to come. We’re stoked that Patti Smith will be joining us with her words and music in a small intimate show. I hope the festival brings a burst of energy that will help raise the profile of Cardiff as an international arts and music city”.
The sprawling programme will take place across multiple venues in the city, including the Wales Millennium Centre and St John’s Church.
Head to their website for more information and tickets.
