Friday, February 27, 2015 Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide


ANDYHOWELLS chats to Sophie Evans ahead of her appearance in the Wales atNumberOnemusic extravaganza on StDavid’sDay


Night of music puts Wales centre stage


St David’s Day


SINCE coming runner-up in the TV talent show Over The Rainbow Sophie Evans has gone on to captivate theatre audiences as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, present The Re- ally Welsh Christmas Show on BBC Two Wales and take a starring role in the film Pride. Come St David’s Day how-


ever Sophie will take on what could be her most nerve-rack- ing role yet as she takes cen- tre stage in Wales at Number One, at Cardiff’s Wales Mil- lennium Centre, where she will perform some of Wales’ most successful songs, in- cluding the debut chart top- per from one of the country’s biggest stars. “It’s going to be really nice celebrating being Welsh, the music and the success of Welsh artists,” explains Sophie who will join a line- up featuring artists such as Shakin’ Stevens, Ricky Val- ance, Amy Wadge and Manic Street Preacher James Dean Bradfield,this Sunday. She will be performing the Amen Corner 1969 classic If Paradise Is Half As Nice as well as the first ever number one by Shirley Bassey, As I Love You, from 1959. “I’ll sing it in my own style


while keeping the essence of Shirley Bassey,” continues Sophie,who says of theAmen Corner smash, “I’ll be singing that very differently.” Sophie who is currently touring with Britain’s Got Talent stars Richard and Adam will be making a one- stop performance at the St David’s Day event before re- joining the duo on their 19 date tour. Sophie’s love of classic pop goes back to childhood.


NUMBER ONE TRIBUTE: Classic Clapton


CLASSIC Clapton the World’s Number one Eric Clapton trib- ute band will be making a wel- come return to Abergavenny in February as part of their 30th Anniversary Tour. They will perform all of Clapton’s classic songs includ- ing Wonderful Tonight, Tears in Heaven and of course Lay- la! There will even be an un- plugged segment. The band was formed in


HITS: Sophie Evans, and inset, Alex Jones, John Owen Jones and Shakin’ Stevens are among the stars


“Since I was about 4 I’ve al- ways loved music. I’ve lis- tened to Barbara Streisand and Elaine Paige when I probably should have been listening to S Club 7. I was al- ways interested in the more mature sounds.” Rubbing shoulders with stars such is something So- phie is quickly becoming accustomed, and later this year she’s set to work along- side yet more musical heavy- weights. “I’m doing the Eisteddfod


this year in Llangollen which has an absolutely unbeliev- able line up including Burt Bacharach, UB40 and Gareth Malone, that’s going to be amazing.”


Singer mines a rich seam of US history


JEFF WARNER. will play Newport’s Lyceum Folk Club on March 5. Jeff is among the nation’s fore- most performer of tradi- tional music. His songs from the lum-


ber camps, fishing vil- lages and mountain tops of America connect 21st century audiences with the everyday lives – and artistry – of 19th century Americans.


His performances have


been described as, “pro- viding more than just en- tertainment.” With subject matter rich


in local history and a sense of place that bring the lat- est news from the distant past these are songs that “will leave you with a deeper appreciation of the land you live in.” Doors 8.00pm, tickets £8.00 available on the door.


CONNECTION: Jeff Warner


Photograph by Ralph Morang


Wales at Number One will


be hosted by the One Show’s Alex Jones. Other stars tak- ing part in this unique mu- sic event will be John Owen Jones, Steve Balsamo, Jessi- ca Lee Morgan (daughter of Mary Hopkin), Lucie Jones, Alys Williams and Shaheen Jafargoli. The night will include tracks made famous by Dame Shirley Bassey, Ricky Valance, Spencer Davis Group, Mary Hopkin, Dave Edmunds, Shakin’ Stevens, Bonnie Tyler, The Flying Pickets, Manic Street Preach- ers, Stereophonics, Duffy, and of course Sir TomJones. The stars will be accompa- nied by the Welsh Pops Or-


chestra featuring pianist Gw- ilym Simcock and conducted by Matthew Brind. The centre will celebrate


St. David’s Day throughout the weekend with free per- formances from Welsh art- ists on the Glanfa stage plus a chance to experience the taste of Wales in the Centre’s ffresh restaurant. On the menu will be an array of tra- ditional Welsh dishes includ- ing Cawl, Roast leg of Welsh Lamb and Slow Cooked Welsh beef. Wales at No.1 is at Wales Millennium Centre on 1 March 2015. Tickets range from £17.50-£35. For more information and tickets visit wmc.org.uk


1985 in Newcastle upon Tyne long before the term tribute band was invented, and named themselves After Midnight af- ter Eric Clapton’s first solo hit. In guitar/vocalist Mike Hall, they have a front man who not only looks like Eric, he sings and plays guitar like him too! Mike has met Slowhand twice, and even received a message of encouragement


from the guitar maestro. In 2001 they embarked on an extensive tour of UK theatres. They called the show Classic Clapton. Since then, they have continued to performthrough- out the UK including concerts atTheRoyalFestival Hall, Lon- don and a triumphant appear- ance at Glastonbury Festival in 2002. In 2009 they appeared at St Andrews Auditorium in Mumbai. A 10,000 mile round- trip for one concert, but it was a great experience. Classic Clapton will be per-


forming at Borough Theatre, Cross Street, Abergavenny on Friday 27th February at 7.30pm. Tickets priced £16 (concessions £14) are available from the box office on 01873 850805 or boroughtheatreaber- gavenny.co.uk


3 Music Close to Eric Clapton


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