17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Kasabian drummer launches BogFest festival in Llanwrtyd
KASABIAN drummer Ian Matthews will be hosting a free music festival running alongside one of Powys' weirdest events later this summer.
BogFest is officially launching this August bank holiday weekend in Llanwrtyd Wells, running in conjunction with the World Bog Snorkelling Championships.
The music festival is being organised by Chapel, a project set up by local businessman Irfon Watkins and Kasabian drummer Mathews, who is a long-time friend.
Chapel is also the main sponsor of the World Bog Snorkelling Championships this year, which is taking place on Sunday, August 24. The music festival takes place over the weekend of August 23-24.
'Come to my festival,' Matthews implores.
'Yes, BogFest is kicking off in August in deepest Wales. It's fun, it's free and it's to celebrate this eccentric sport of bog snorkelling.
'Hell, why not get involved with this unique and growing sport, don the mask and dive in. What more would you want? We have it all, Blues, beers and muddy bogs.'
'Hosted by Chapel in partnership with the World Bog Snorkelling Championships, this free festival brings live music to the heart of the town, with three stages, including one right at the bog site,' said a post on the Chapel Facebook page.
'Expect free live music over the two days, a chance to cheer on the legendary bog snorkellers, Ian Matthews will be hosting the weekend and handing out prizes.'
Local tech entrepreneur Watkins and Matthews have taken on the restoration of the historic Welsh Methodist chapel in Llanwrtyd in recent years, aiming to create a venue where established and upcoming artists alike can perform live to both local audiences and a worldwide audience through new technologies.
And it is through this project that BogFest was born. 'BogFest was created to bring live music to the heart of Wales,' said organisers.
'It will be an annual event that will grow with community at the centre while being in partnership with the World Bog Snorkelling Championships.
'Ian Matthews is also hosting the festival all weekend and handing out prizes at the bog snorkelling.'
The World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Llanwrtyd is one of the UK's quirkiest sporting events.
Armed with snorkels and flippers, competitors race through a muddy trench cut into a peat bog – no swimming strokes allowed.
'It's wet, wild and wonderfully weird, a must-see highlight in the smallest town in Britain,' added organisers.
The festival will be held across three stages: the Bog Stage, plus the Stonecroft and Neuadd Arms pubs.
Spaces are limited in the venues, arrive early to grab a spot and keep an eye out for more information.
