upfront
Vanessa Kisuule - LYRA POETRY FESTIVAL
GŴYL CRIME CYMRU FESTIVAL
“It’s taken me 12 years to be an overnight success,” laughs Bev- erley Jones, author of Wilderness – soon to be an Amazon Prime TV series – and The Beach House, reflecting on her journey thus far as a Welsh crime fiction writer. We’re in the middle of talking about a Welsh first: the end of April will see Beverley and a host of other cloak-and-dagger authors descend on Aberystwyth for an international crime fiction festival; technically, the third iteration of its kind, but as the previous two were soft-launched online during lockdown, this is the first ‘real’ in-person event.
Previously, the likes of Lee Childs and a healthy few thousand were drawn to the Zoom-situated ones. Taking place across various Ab- erystwyth venues, plenty of big Welsh names will be in attendance for this year’s – Claire Mackintosh, Fflur Daffyd, Caryl Lewis, and more – not to mention writers and festival programmers from Bloody Scotland and Newcastle Noir. (Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much, if any, racial diversity on the lineup – likely an industry and regional problem that I hope improves over the years to come.)
Compared to England and Scotland, Wales has been lacking this kind of representation, something Gŵyl Crime Cymru is hoping to change with what are set to become biannual gatherings. “It’s been a difficult, challenging but rewarding experience,” Beverley tells me as one of the festival’s organisers, alongside founder Alis Hawkins. Their shared aim is to strengthen the network of far-flung Welsh crime writers, a subgenre populated by everything from “cosy crime procedurals to standalones to historical fiction” – yet commonality can still be found. “That sense of setting is really strong, and so is the intricacy of the storytelling.”
Gwyl Crime Cymru Festival, various locations, Aberyst- wyth, Fri 21-Sun 23 Apr. Tickets priced individually. Info:
gwylcrimecymrufestival.co.uk Tags: Literary
HANNAH COLLINS
LYRA POETRY FESTIVAL
HAY FESTIVAL Literature, entertainment, live
An annual Bristol based event showcasing poetry in its widest form, Lyra includes workshops, surgeries, panels and online events from multiple corners of Bristol and the UK. Various venues, Bristol, Sat 22 Apr-Mon 1 May. Info:
lyrafest.com Tags: Free, Family, Literature
LLANDEILO LITERARY
FESTIVAL Taking place across the Car- marthenshire town, the festival features a programme of live music, sports stars, myths and legends, pottery, creative writing and poetry workshops, all while celebrating Welsh culture. Various venues, Llandeilo, Fri 28-Sun 30 Apr. Info:
llandeilolitfest.org Tags: Literature, Music, Arts
SOUTH WALES CAR FESTIVAL
Raising money for St David’s Hospice, expect a showcase of various vehicles, plus additional food stalls, bars, kids area, live music, local produce, craft areas and entertainment.
Chepstow Racecourse, Sun 7 May.
Info: southwalescarshow.
co.uk Tags: Music, Arts, Family
CONWY PIRATE FEST With an HMS Wales appearance,
plenty of stalls, and musician Tom Mason joining the lineup for this year’s Pirate themed festival, you won’t need to find buried treasure to attend because you can hop onboard for free. Conwy Quay, Sun 7 + Mon 8 May.
Info:
conwypirates.com Tags: Music, Arts, Family, Free
music, workshops – nothing is off limits at the foundational event of the Hay Festival brand as it nears its 40th birthday. This year, even Stormzy and Dua Lipa are in attendance! Various venues, Hay-On- Wye, Sat 25 May-Tue 4 June Info:
hayfestival.com Tags: Literature, Family, Arts, Music, Comedy
PUB IN THE PARK The biggest food and music
festival in the UK returns with headlining acts Example, Badly Drawn Boy, McFly and Gabrielle, plus some of the country’s finest chefs whipping up delicious food and drink. Royal Victoria Park, Bath, Fri 16-Sun 18 June.
Info:
pubintheparkuk.com Tags: Music, Family
THE BIG RETREAT Usually leave a festival feeling
exhausted and in need of rest? This is the opposite. The Big Re- treat is a rest and relaxation get- away to reconnect with yourself and nature with specially curated wellness activities such as yoga, crafts, talks and live music. Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, Thurs 1-Sun 4 June.
Info: thebigretreatfestival. com Tags: Music, Wellness, Family
WYCHWOOD
FESTIVAL With free tickets for under-10s, a full music lineup, comedy, plenty of activities to keep all the family engaged and enough street food stalls to get your stomach growl- ing, Wychwood Festival seems to have something for everyone. Cheltenham Racecourse, Fri 2-Sun 4 June.
Info:
wychwoodfestival.com Tags: Music, Food, Arts, Come- dy, Family
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Festival Guide 2023
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