Tag Archives: festivals

Celebrating 20 Years of Banda Bacana and Welsh Live Music

Two Decades of Music, Community and Dancing Feet

For over 20 years, Banda Bacana has been proud to be part of the vibrant and diverse live music scene across North Wales and beyond. What started as a small musical collaboration in Bangor has grown into one of North Wales’ most recognisable live world music bands, performing everywhere from village halls and community events to major festivals, theatres, weddings, parties, and international stages.

Looking back over the last two decades, we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us, shared a stage with us, danced to our music, organised events, and helped keep live music thriving throughout Wales.

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DRAIG BEATS Saturday 09 June

DRAIG BEATS: Seckou Keita, Drymbago, Banda Bacana, Yukatan, Geraint Lovgreen, Hedge Gods, Mouton, Bloco Swn, Batala, & more… in Bangor at Treborth Botanic Garden

All the acts, DJs, workshops and staff have kindly offered their skills for free, all profits from the food and bars and 100% of ALL ticket sales will be going directly to the Sophie Williams Trust, so please join us for a great day out at Trebborth Botanical Gardens (the site of the wonderful Botanical Beats) and help us raise as much money as possible!
More info and tickets from neuaddogwen.com and draigbeats.wales

Donate to the Sophie Williams Trust on Just Giving

Squeezing the last out of the summer!

Polishing our brass, limbering up our vocal chords and yanking up the groove we’ve been lucky to play at some great local events this summer and some further afield. Thanks to Moel Siabod Cafe for inviting us back to another stomping North Wales reception, and to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and the delightful Beathearder festival. Also in July we played at the Food Slam in Menai Bridge where we sampled some wonderful local grub and summer fizz!
Foodslam July 2015
See Gorau Môn – Best of Anglesey video featuring our Piropa!

… and on through August…

Banda Bacana will be at the Menai Seafood Festival this Saturday 22nd August, 8pm in the Boatyard next to Dylan’s – come and see us after the daytime events – Cooking demonstrations, local produce market, art and craft, music, and activities for kids – see more here: menaiseafoodfestival.com

At Copperfest on the bank holiday Saturday, Banda Bacana is playing at 7.0 with a great line up – more on the Copperfest website – music starts at 12 and goes on till 11.00.  See some great bands in a fab location!

Bring on the Autumn

Banda Bacana have had a fabulous summer, festivals, parties, weddings and our favourite pub gigs!  And now we’re getting ready for the autumn season with some new world beats and eclectic lyrics.  After a bank holiday stonker at The Heights in Llanberis (thanks to the team at The Heights and everyone that came along – especially those dressed to impress!) the next gig on the calendar is Bangor Apple Fest on 15th September in the Syrcus Circus big top on ‘The Old Bowling Green’ in the centre of Bangor next to the Town Hall.  It starts at 12pm to 6pm.  Entrance to the entertainment tent: £3/£1.50 for children under 10. The Bacanas are on at 3pm in the Big Top – check out the full program on Facebook

Thank you Kaya!

Banda Bacana would like to say a big thank you to Kaya for organising their lovely festival on the Menai Straits on the beautiful Vaynol Estate.  It was amazing to see such world class musicians playing in our area.  And all the local bands, artists and promoters pulled out the stops so thanks to them too!

Check out the photos of our gig at Kaya on the bacana facebook page

Jazz Festival in Barmouth

“One Sunday in May” Jazz Festival will be held on Sunday 27th of May 2012 at Min y Mor Hotel in Barmouth Mid Wales.

The line up is as follows:

1.00-3.00pm – Violinist Billy Thompson with Huw Warren on accordion, Andy Mackenzie on guitar, Eryl Jones on vocals, mandolin & guitar, Phil Gardiner on rhythm guitar, & Greg Robley on bass

3.30-5.30pm – Mellow Baku, vocalist, with Ray Butcher on trumpet, Huw Warren on keyboard, Huw Vaughan Williams on double bass, & Zoot Warren on drums.

5.30 & 7.00pm – break – evening meal available from the hotel

7.00-9.00pm – Gwynedd & Anglesey Youth Jazz Orchestra. Trumpet player Byron Wallen will be featured with the band, as well as a in a duo with Huw Warren.

9.30-11.30pm –  Banda Bacana with some funky Afro Cuban grooves, to finish a glorious day of music.

The Hotel will be serving Sunday lunch & bar snacks throughout the day. Specialist diets can be catered for.  For accommodation and more information about the Hotel & venue contact: 01341 280555

World Music Festival in Bangor!

An amazing line up of world music artists are coming to The Faenol Estate near Bangor over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend Friday 1st June to 3rd June.

Warm up on the Friday Night  with your favourite funk and soul DJ Craig ‘get yer sunglasses on’ Charles, The Man from Timbuctu and North Wales’ home grown DJs from Racubah, Vibrations and Freedom Sound Systems! And we are so excited about the line up featuring Tony ‘say no more’ Allen, Kanda Bongo Man, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Ska Cubana.

There are a lot of Welsh bands playing as well.  Banda Bacana are playing on the Saturday.

Check the website for all the mouth watering details.