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Rhyl Journal
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
KT Tunstall performs at Llangollen International Eisteddfod
The Scottish singer-songwriter performed a one-off concert on Thursday, July 10, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of her debut album, Eye to the Telescope. She performed the album in full alongside her band and the Absolute Orchestra, conducted by Dave Danford, the Eisteddfod's musical director. Tunstall said: "It has been my long-standing dream to see this album played with an orchestra and I lucked out being able to do it here at the Eisteddfod. "This has turned my long-held dream into reality." The concert followed the album's tracklist and opened with Other Side of the World. The orchestral arrangements aimed to bring a new dimension to the music, with Andy Burrows, Razorlight drummer, joining Tunstall on stage. Tunstall praised Danford's arrangements during the show. She said: "What Dave has done with this song is absolutely exquisite." Universe and I was highlighted by the brass section, and throughout the night, Ms Tunstall alternated between acoustic and electric guitars and performed on a grand piano. She also shared personal stories, including her early connection to the Eisteddfod. Tunstall said: "This isn't the first time I have been to the Eisteddfod, I came down here in the 90s driving a white van to sell merchandise from my friend's shop." She revealed that her parents met at Bangor University, where her father was president of the climbing club and her mother took up climbing. Tunstall also spoke fondly of family holidays on the Welsh coast. She said: "It was always sunny." The singer revealed that a new version of the title track will be released later this year. She said: "It has taken me 20 years to finally finish the song and it will be released in October. "Three days ago, I received a very special string arrangement from Nashville for the finished song and an incredible flute solo. "We managed to get a PDF of them - and Dave Danford sorted it out this morning so we could present it to you tonight." The evening began with a set from Edie Bens, a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Swansea who is now based in Brighton. Wearing traditional Welsh plaid, Bens performed songs inspired by personal experiences, including one about crashing her boyfriend's car on Christmas Eve and another about an ex-boyfriend that reportedly drew complaints from his father.
Leader Live
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
KT Tunstall performs at Llangollen International Eisteddfod
The Scottish singer-songwriter performed a one-off concert on Thursday, July 10, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of her debut album, Eye to the Telescope. She performed the album in full alongside her band and the Absolute Orchestra, conducted by Dave Danford, the Eisteddfod's musical director. Tunstall said: "It has been my long-standing dream to see this album played with an orchestra and I lucked out being able to do it here at the Eisteddfod. "This has turned my long-held dream into reality." The concert followed the album's tracklist and opened with Other Side of the World. The orchestral arrangements aimed to bring a new dimension to the music, with Andy Burrows, Razorlight drummer, joining Tunstall on stage. Tunstall praised Danford's arrangements during the show. She said: "What Dave has done with this song is absolutely exquisite." Universe and I was highlighted by the brass section, and throughout the night, Ms Tunstall alternated between acoustic and electric guitars and performed on a grand piano. She also shared personal stories, including her early connection to the Eisteddfod. Tunstall said: "This isn't the first time I have been to the Eisteddfod, I came down here in the 90s driving a white van to sell merchandise from my friend's shop." She revealed that her parents met at Bangor University, where her father was president of the climbing club and her mother took up climbing. Tunstall also spoke fondly of family holidays on the Welsh coast. She said: "It was always sunny." The singer revealed that a new version of the title track will be released later this year. She said: "It has taken me 20 years to finally finish the song and it will be released in October. "Three days ago, I received a very special string arrangement from Nashville for the finished song and an incredible flute solo. "We managed to get a PDF of them - and Dave Danford sorted it out this morning so we could present it to you tonight." The evening began with a set from Edie Bens, a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Swansea who is now based in Brighton. Wearing traditional Welsh plaid, Bens performed songs inspired by personal experiences, including one about crashing her boyfriend's car on Christmas Eve and another about an ex-boyfriend that reportedly drew complaints from his father.
Rhyl Journal
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
KT Tunstall set to perform at Llangollen Eisteddfod
The BRIT Award-winning singer will perform at the International Eisteddfod on Thursday, July 10, marking 20 years since her breakthrough debut album, Eye to the Telescope, was released. Ms Tunstall's last visit to the festival was in the 1990s, when she drove down from Edinburgh to help a friend sell candles and incense from a van on the Eisteddfod field. Now, two decades after her rise to fame, she will headline a one-off concert in the Llangollen Pavilion, performing her iconic album live with a full orchestral arrangement. Ms Tunstall said: "He contacted me to explain the idea, and I had to say yes. "I'm so excited. "This will be the only chance people will have to see my music set to an orchestra. "The album, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is very stripped-back music with four to five musicians. "To have an orchestra with me will be mind-blowing." The concert will feature reimagined versions of her hit songs, including Other Side of the World and Suddenly I See, performed with The Absolute Orchestra under the baton of Eisteddfod artistic director Dave Danford. Ms Tunstall said: "It is also out of my comfort zone as I am a bit of a control freak over my music, so I have had to learn to let go of the reins." Reflecting on her previous visit, she recalled: "I have been to the Eisteddfod before. "It was 1996/97 and my friend had a hippie shop in Edinburgh. "I drove down in a van and spent the week at the Eisteddfod selling things like candles and incense. "I loved it." The concert is part of her 2025 tour and will be the only UK date to feature a full orchestral arrangement. Elsewhere in the tour, Ms Tunstall will perform at London's Royal Albert Hall. She said: "I was thinking about getting a few friends round with a six-pack, and instead I will be celebrating with 5,000 people. "I have to pinch myself sometimes when I think it is the 20th anniversary of the album."
Leader Live
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Texas to open summer of music at Llangollen Pavilion
The summer line-up starts with a headline show from Scottish pop-rock band Texas on Thursday, June 26. The concert series is part of TK Maxx Presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion and coincides with the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, which begins on July 8. The Live at Llangollen line-up (Image: Supplied) Dave Danford, artistic director of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, said: "Once again, Llangollen is the place to be for an incredible summer of live music. "We're absolutely thrilled with this year's line-up of artists and to be partnering with Cuffe & Taylor again. "Anyone who came last year will know just how special this place is, and we can't wait to do it all again." Rag'n'Bone Man (Image: Supplied) Texas, fronted by Sharleen Spiteri, will open the season of live music, supported by Rianne Downey, a Scottish singer-songwriter. They are the first of 13 headline acts set to perform at the North Wales venue this summer. Other confirmed headliners include Rag'n'Bone Man, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, James, The Script, Olly Murs, and The Human League. The concerts are part of a collaboration between Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod. UB40 featuring Ali Campbell (Image: Supplied) Peter Taylor, co-founder of Cuffe and Taylor, said: "It's a pleasure to continue our collaboration with the fantastic team at the Eisteddfod. "Llangollen really is a special place, and it's an honour to bring world-class artists to this beautiful, historic town. "Whether you've lived here for years or are visiting for the first time, I know this summer will be something truly special, full of unforgettable memories. "That's what live music is all about." The Llangollen International Eisteddfod, now in its 78th year, will feature headline performances from Sir Karl Jenkins, KT Tunstall, Il Divo, and Beyond Time: The Music of Hans Zimmer. This year's Choir of the World event will feature special guest Lucie Jones, while Bryn Terfel will perform alongside Fisherman's Friends and Eve Goodman. The festival also includes a full daily programme of competitions and field entertainment. Since its founding in 1947, the Eisteddfod has welcomed more than 400,000 competitors from more than 140 countries. This year, more than 4,000 participants from 36 countries are expected to take part. The 2025 Eisteddfod aims to build on the record-breaking success of 2024, with organisers promising an even bigger event. This year also marks the first time TK Maxx will serve as presenting partner for Live at Llangollen Pavilion, as part of a wider agreement with Cuffe and Taylor for events across the UK. Final tickets and further information are available at and
