Kaiser Chiefs to return for Llangollen Eisteddfod next summer

* The Kaiser Chiefs. Picture: Cal McIntyre.

Indie heroes Kaiser Chiefs will make a triumphant return to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on Saturday June 29.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday November 17. 

The announcement follows the news that the band will release their new studio album, the aptly titled Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album, on March 1 next year.

Produced by Amir Amor (Rudimental), Easy Eighth Album sees them return with a fresh and bold new sound. 

From the Nile Rodgers co-writer of new single ‘Feeling Alright’, to the frantic ‘Beautiful Girl’, horn-laden Kaiser Chiefs throwback ‘Job Centre Shuffle’ and joyous punch in the gut that is ‘Jealousy’, these 10 tracks are a true statement of intent from a band that continues to deliver the goods again and again.

The album arrives off the back of roaring success with previous releases ‘Jealousy’and ‘How 2 Dance’, as well as a big UK arena headline tour at the end of last year.

Where 2019’s Duck straddled the tide between Northern-Soul euphoria and early ‘00s antithesis, 2024 will see Kaiser Chiefs stepping into a renewed spotlight; a hook-heightened universe in which Ricky Wilson, Andrew “Whitey” White (guitar), Simon Rix (bass), Keyboardist Peanut and Vijay Mistry on drums, come together to create what they craft best; breakthrough hits for the world’s dancefloor.  

And with a band almost two decades in the game, armed with an extensive back-catalogue of stadium belters, and record-breaking success, fans at Llangollen Pavilion can prepare for a nightfilled with anthemic hits such as ‘Oh My God’, ‘I Predict A Riot’, ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’ and ‘Ruby’. 

The headlining Llangollen show is the latest to be announced as part of a new partnership between the Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor. 

Kaiser Chiefs, who headlined Llanfest in 2018, join indie superstars Manic Street Preachers and Suede, BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith and disco legends Nile Rodgers & CHIC among the artists to be announced so far for the iconic peace festival in 2024. 

Lead Programmer &Production Manager of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford said:“We’re delighted Kaiser Chiefs will be returning to Llangollen. They went down a storm in 2018, and we’re so pleased that they’ll bring their anthems back to North Wales in 2024.  

“This is just the latest announcement as part of our exciting new partnership with Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor, with more to come in the next few weeks” 

Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor said: “Kaiser Chiefs are a brilliant live band. We’ve presented multiple shows with them over the years so we can’t wait to bring them back to Llangollen for what will be a really exciting show for everyone involved.”

* For more information and to purchase tickets go to llangollen.net and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Crowds brave heavy rain for town's annual Service of Remembrance

A large crowd braved heavy rain to watch and take part in Llangollen's annual Service of Remembrance in Centenary Square earlier this morning (Sunday).

Led by Father Lee Taylor of St Collen's, the service included the traditional sounding of the Last Post by a bugler from Llangollen Silver Band, the two minute silence and the laying of wreaths on the square's two war memorials which commemorate local people who died in both world wars and other conflicts.  

The ceremony ended with a parade of service organisations, led by their standards, along Castle Street and round the town centre.

* Service organisations on parade in the square.  

* People brave the heavy rain to watch the service.

* The parade arrives in the square led by standard bearers.

* Father Lee Taylor leads the worship.

* A Silver Band bugler sounds Last Post. 

* This picture and those below: wreaths are laid on behalf of various local organisations around the war memorial.

* Dave Hennigan and Allison Davies with the wreath they laid on behalf of the Eisteddfod. 

* At the conclusion of the service the parade leaves the square along Castle Street.

* Youth organisations take part in the parade.

Woman from Ukraine sets up her own business in Llangollen

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting how a woman from Ukraine who left the country for Llangollen following Russia’s invasion last year has set up her own candle business with her host family.

Maryna Ustymenko, 27, has created “Ornate Candles” with Kim Evans, who she has lived with since moving to North Wales in May 2022.

* For the full story, see: Woman who left Ukraine for Llangollen sets up bespoke candle business | Denbighshire Free Press

Plaid Cymru chooses its candidate for new Clwyd East seat

* Paul Penlington will fight Clwyd East for Plaid Cymru at the general election.

A former Denbighshire county councillor has been selected as Plaid Cymru's Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd East.

The new constituency, which includes the towns and surrounding areas of Llangollen, Ruthin, Mold, Holywell and Prestatyn, will come into being at the next general election.

Carrying the Plaid banner will be Paul Penlington, a former councillor for Prestatyn North who has worked voluntarily in the charity sector and teaching further education at Coleg Cambria.

He said: “I’ve always lived and worked in this constituency and only applied to be the candidate for the area I am already committed to. I wouldn’t want to stand anywhere else.

“This is my home, my family have lived here for generations and I hope will do so for generations to come.  

“I’m not a career politician, I’m an active member of my community and want to continue working as a representative of our community in Westminster. The main reasons I originally became interested in politics have been consistent throughout; supporting those in need, protecting our environment and seeking fairness for all of us.

“This new constituency encompasses a wide range of communities but all of us deserve a fair deal from Westminster which we’re currently not getting. 

“As just a few examples, we export more energy than we produce but have the highest energy bills in the UK, we have the highest levels of child poverty and the worst performing NHS.”

He added: “Llangollen is a beautiful town but still has a lot that needs addressing. The River Dee is virtually dead and is the worst river in Wales for sewage pollution, air pollution, particularly in the summer, is as bad as an inner city, public transport is appalling, there are very few opportunities for young people and smaller communities in the area are largely forgotten. 

“Yet nothing is done. Westminster and the Welsh Government do nothing to protect our environment and public health and offer no practical support to improve and develop services for our smaller towns. 

“This is all symptomatic of how Wales is unfairly used to drain our resources with nothing returned. We deserve so much better and need a local voice to fight for us in Westminster, as a member of a Welsh party not a London-centric party.

“We have always been governed by Labour and Tory. I don’t want to govern, I want to represent my community and fight to get the best for us not a party based in London. 

“My record of public service is easily googled, I’ve always worked hard as a voice for residents. I am ready to take other parties on nationally. I’m standing now as, at the end of the day, I’m the only local candidate and who else will actually stand up for all of us?”

Body found at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, says story

A story in the Leader reveals that police have confirmed a body was found at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct yesterday (November 9).

North Wales Police said it received a report of a body being found at the aqueduct shortly after 3.30pm on Thursday.

* For the full story, see: Body discovered at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, police confirm | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk)

Road closures for this Sunday's Remembrance Service

Latest local traffic alert from one.network shows two temporary road closures for this Sunday's annual Service of Remembrance in Llangollen town centre.

The service begins at 10.45am and will be held in Centenary Square.  

Castle Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 12 November - 12 November   Delays likely - Road closure   Name:  Castle Street, Llangollen   Location: Castle Street   Description: Public event - Remembrance parade   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned       Oak Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 12 November - 12 November   Delays likely - Road closure   Name:  Oak Street, Llangollen   Location: Oak Street   Description: Public event - Remembrance parade   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

Eisteddfod recruiting for two top paid roles

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is currently recruiting for two "exceptional and pro-active colleagues" to join its experienced team.

The Eisteddfod is acknowledged as one of the world's foremost festivals and has been nominated for the Nobel Prize for Peace.

Over the years it has attracted cultural icons including Dylan Thomas, Dame Shirley Bassey and Luciano Pavarotti.

In 2024, thanks to a new collaboration with Cuffe & Taylor, the evening concerts will extend over four weeks and feature Manic Street Preachers and Suede as well as Paloma Faith and more to be announced.

The posts to be filled are:

* Freelance Artistic Director

66 days, up until 1 October 2024

£300 per day

Apply by: 5pm, Tuesday November 14

The post has been funded by the Arts Council of Wales.

* Marketing and Communications Manager

3 days per week, up until August 2024 with a view to extend

£24,000 - £28,000 pro rata, dependent on experience

Apply by: 5pm, Thursday November 16

For further information on both roles, go to: https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/about-us/jobs/

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