Autumnal Delights
Remember, remember the 26th of November. Ok maybe not the most original line I’ve ever uttered but what better way to celebrate the coming of winter than with three of the most beautiful song smiths you’re likely to hear on this side of the veil for a mere £6 sterling or a mere 0.01 ounces of palladium Ed- palladium is not accepted by DIGS as an appropriate currency!
Struggling to find the best venue in Colwyn Bay?
For directions scroll down through the soul soaring words of DIGS or simply click the arrow to be carried on our backs all the way to the bottom of this page. ↓
A bit of a change of pace for the close of autumn with some truly beautiful music to warm our cockles ready for winter.
Doors open 19:30 with music starting at 20.00 and the striking first act …
Sophie Ballamy
The night kicks off with Sophie Ballamy, who also moonlights as guitarist in Chester based quartet Les Pleches.
Sophie herself is a singer/songwriter who spends most of her time giving a genuine soundscape to beautiful North Wales. Her eclectic blend of acoustica, folk and indie-pop have seen her draw comparison to the likes of Laura Marling, Camera Obscura and Bon Iver, but personally I think Sophie is a musical entity unto herself.
Her recent efforts have seen the independent release of a 6-track EP “My Friend, The Moon” (no association with the awesome book by André Dahan) which, by the way, is available on iTunes and Amazon.
“Charming and sweet – far from saccharine” – Ian Lloyd Hughes, Daily Post
Sam Airey
For the tasty filling in our acoustic sandwich, with his raw fret skills and oak smoked voice, is the Anglesey born, Leeds based Sam Airey. Known for his fantastic blend of exceptional folk storytelling and his intricate fingerpicking Sam will unquestionably soon be a household name.
Sam has just recorded a BBC Radio One Maida Vale session for Huw Stephens.
“The EP is a beautiful representation of Sam’s deft picking skills combined with warmly delivered lyrics that seem to covet the sanctuary of a calmer life back on his native Anglesey” – Drowned In Sound
“Wales’ answer to Bon Iver…a very special artist” – Bethan Elfyn, BBC Radio Wales/BBC Radio One
“Glorious…got to play more of him” – Huw Stephens, BBC Radio One
“…lots of intricate guitar work smoothed over by gorgeous vocals, rich and full of wisdom…a stripped-down sound that moves you with dreamy lyrics and hypnotic repetition of melodies” – For Folk’s Sake
Common Tongues
To bring the autumn to its tempestuous close we have the dynamic and harmonic Common Tongues who are an indie folk 5 piece band hailing from the shores of Brighton. They recently released their debut single ‘Jumping Ships‘ through Something Nothing Records 23rd May 2011. Singer/guitarists Tom and Oli grew up together in rural Cambridge sharing a passion for songwriting that blossomed into compelling stories of their lives and loves.
“Foot stomping soul, charming harmonies, powerful violin and keys with an addictive cheeky energetic presence on stage that can only spread silent grins across the audiences’ faces. It’s no wonder they have such a loyal following already…” Regency Magazine
“There’s no greater feeling than being licked by the Common Tongues” – Jeremy Sallis, BBC Radio Cambridge
Directions
St Paul’s Hall is conveniently situated in central Colwyn Bay, and easily accessible by car, bus or train.
By Car:
- From Chester and the east: Exit the A55 at Junction 22, signposted Old Colwyn, turn left at the bottom of the slip road. At the roundabout take the fourth exit towards the town centre. St Paul’s Church is on the left, the Hall is immediately behind the church up Rhiw Road, which is the road on your left immediately before the church.
- From Bangor and the west: Leave the A55 at Junction 20. At the traffic lights at the top of the slip road turn right, and follow the main road into the town centre. St Paul’s will be on your right, with Rhiw Road immediately afterwards.
- Car Parking: There is a council run public car park off Douglas Road, which is the road before Rhiw Road coming from the east, and next road on the right if coming from the west.
By Bus: Arriva services 12, 13, 14, 15, 23 and 27 all stop within a few yards of the Church Gates on Abergele Road, and the main line train station is only two or three minutes walk away through the town centre.
By Train:
Mondays to Saturdays:
- Arriva Trains Wales operates an alternate hourly service between Holyhead and Birmingham International or Cardiff Central via Shrewsbury. A few early morning/late evening trains start/finish at Crewe rather than Birmingham or Cardiff.
- Arriva Trains Wales also operates an hourly stopping service between Llandudno and Manchester Piccadilly. All of these services call at Abergele & Pensarn and Shotton.
- Virgin Trains operates a number of services from Holyhead and Bangor to London Euston (seven each way Mon-Fri, five on Saturdays and three on Sundays).
- On Sundays there is an hourly service each way, westbound to Holyhead and eastbound to Crewe plus the aforementioned three through trains to London.
By Foot: From Colwyn Bay train station:
- Head west on Victoria Ave/B5113 toward Station Rd Continue to follow B5113 – 151 ft
- Slight left onto Station Rd – 0.1 mi
- Turn left onto Abergele Rd/A547 – 489 ft
- Turn right onto Rhiw Rd – 259 ft
- Turn right onto St Paul’s Close
- COME IN!
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