Festival Number 6
- By Craig Jones -
- Sep 14, 2012
A new festival featuring a heady mix of fine music, cultural exhibitions and innovative treats launches in the beautiful Welsh village of Portmeirion today…
Thousands of people will be descending on North Wales today for Festival No.6, which will be headlined by New Order, Primal Scream and Spiritualized. The boutique music and arts showcase will also home a wide programme of established comedians and host talks by some of the artists throughout the weekend allowing revellers to learn more about their favourite stars.
Set in picturesque Portmeition visitors can enjoy the unique architecture of the village, which was used for the setting of the 1960s TV show 'The Prisoner', as well as discovering its tropical woodlands and mesmerising coastline.
In a line-up which features some of the country’s finest bands, hilarious stand-ups, insightful literary workshops and film screenings, here are our 10 to catch during Festival No.6:
10. The Whip
The electro indie four-piece have taken dancefloors by storm since forming in 2007 and the troupe will be rocking the main stage on Saturday evening, playing their unique brand of synth. The Oldham band’s stand out anthem ‘Trash’ is sure to get revellers into a frenzy as day turns to night.
9. Phil Jupitus
No stranger to music, the Never Mind The Buzzcocks stalwart will be providing the laughs with his unique comedy stylings. The musically astute improvisational stand-up will be performing on Sunday passing comment on modern life and probably sharing a bit of gossip about the BBC panel show.
8. British Sea Power
Adventurous indie rockers, British Sea Power, add another picturesque venue to a list which includes the Great Wall of China and the Chelsea Flower Show heading to Portmeirion and playing Festival No.6’s Estuary Stage on Friday evening. The band, who have five albums to their name, have often been likened to Joy Division and The Cure.
7. Richard Hawley
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Richard Hawley forms part of a stellar line-up on Festival No.6’s first evening playing the main stage. The Sheffield-born front man, formerly of the Longpigs, who has worked with Pulp and Arctic Monkeys released his seventh studio album this year which charted at No.3 in the UK. It found the singer on top form and he’ll be sure to draw the audience in with his swagger and charm.
6. Marcus Brigstocke
Fresh from touring the country as part of the Monty Python musical Spamalot comedian Marcus Brigstocke will be doing a set on the final day of the festival. The gifted satirical funny man, often a regular on TV screens, will raise a smile and leave the crowds chuckling at the Welsh festival.
5. Tim Burgess
The Charlatans lead singer will be at The Central Piazza on the final day of the festival. He will be talking to fans about his recently released autobiography, ‘Telling Stories’ as well as unveiling his new solo album ‘Oh no I love you’. The quirky front man will be performing tracks from his new album as well as Charlatans classics.
4. Spiritualized
Headlining the first ever night at Festival No.6 is space age rock band Spiritualized. The group, who formed in 1990, following the demise of Spaceman 3, will be energising the Welsh masses with a selection of hits from their seven studio albums which include their recently released collection, ‘Sweet Heart, Sweet Light’. The collective released the album in April of this year and it is proving a firm favourite with fans.
3. Carl Barat
The former Dirty Pretty Things front man, best known for his work with Pete Doherty as part of The Libertines, will be presenting an exclusive festival screening of a film following the lifespan of the iconic indie band. He’ll then be holding a question and answer session followed by an acoustic performance of some of the band’s hits. This unique opportunity to get up close and personal to Barat could prove to be one of Festival No.6’s highlights.
2. Primal Scream
Bobby Gillespie and the boys will taking to Stage No.6 on Saturday evening bringing their three decades of playing across the world to the festival. They are sure to get the crowd’s rocks off by performing some of the huge hits from ‘Screamadelica’ arguably the album which made them a household name.
1. New Order
Wales is so excited to be welcoming New Order to Festival No.6 that The Brythoniaid Welsh Male Voice Choir has recorded a video of them covering the band’s signature track ‘Blue Monday’, an enchanting listen. The indie synth troupe has had a pretty hectic 18 months or so since they reformed, minus legendary bass player Peter Hook, in 2011. The band, headed by Bernard Sumner, have played far and wide this year headlining at Benicassim, T in the Park and Exit Festival as well as performing with Blur and The Specials at the Olympics Closing Ceremony gig. It is sure to be a hugely energetic set when the comeback kings draw Festival No.6 to a close on Sunday evening and with it finish their European tour dates before heading off to perform in America. Expect to hear all their incredible tracks such as ‘Blue Monday’, ‘True Faith’, ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’ and the rest of their extensive back catalogue. Earlier on Sunday, fans of the band and their iconic predecessors, Joy Division, will be in for a huge treat when photographer Kevin Cummins, who has previously worked with The Stone Roses, will be giving a talk with New Order drummer Stephen Morris about the band and the legacy of Ian Curtis, the renowned Joy Division front man.
By Craig Jones. Tweets at @cjjournalist
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