Celebrating its first 20 years this autumn, Wales Millennium Centre becomes one big global jukebox as singers and poets, rockers and writers, ranters and raconteurs gather in Cardiff Bay to celebrate the instrument we all share: the voice
Llais – Cardiff’s annual international arts festival dedicated to the voice (llais is Welsh for voice) – runs from 9-13 October 2024, when Wales Millennium Centre’s three venues and other spaces will resound with everything from the cosmic harmonies of Laurel Canyon c1971 and Bulgarian choral sensation Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares to urgent indie voices and visionary interpreters of ancient song. From a cabaret ode to groundbreaking black American sopranos Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle, via desert rockers and freedom fighters, to a wild finale of spoken word, poetry and comedy, Llais gives voice to the world this October.
Llais Premieres:
● First-ever live performance of David Crosby’s Americana masterpiece ‘If I Could Only Remember My Name’ featuring Mike Scott, Kris Drever, The Staves and Liam O’Maonlai.
● Fantastic Rackett – never-to-be-repeated showcase of voices from music, books, art and beyond including Hollie McNish, Irvine Welsh, Sara Pascoe, Joelle Taylor + Russell Tovey, Charlotte Church + Le Gateau Chocolat, Nadine Shah & Callum Easter, Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub) – plus short films by David Shrigley and hosting/words by Michael Pedersen.
● Voice of a land and its people channelled in Gwen Siôn’s Llwch a Llechi / (Dust and Slate) which mixes field recordings, electronic instruments fashioned from slate and wood and Wales oldest male voice choir.
Llais Highlights:
● The Welsh Music Prize – opens the festival with a celebration of Welsh music made over the past year.
● Rare UK appearance by Joan As Police Woman performing songs from her forthcoming new album with support by Islet.
● Festival showcases by Squid, Geordie Greep, Porridge Radio, Rogue Jones, Fabiano Palladino, Georgia Ruth.
● Transcendental experimentalism of Tamil Nadu-raised vocalist Ganavya
● Folk traditions reimagined by the inimitable Lisa O’Neill, The Breath’s Ríoghnach Connolly, Iarla O’Lionnard and Mystere Des Voix Bulgares
● Voices of rebellion and redemption – from Tuareg singer and guitarist Bombino and rocking Somali freedom fighter Sahra Halgan to the legendary a cappella activists Sweet Honey In The Rock who celebrate 50 years.
● Talk with Joe Boyd: And the Roots of Rhythm Remain – A Journey Through Global Music.
● Acclaimed Australian duo Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse breathe new life into a language spoken by only 400 people.
● Opera singer and cabaret diva Le Gateux Chocolat channels negro spirituals, black American sopranos Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle
● Sacred Welsh hymns resurrected by folk singer Lleuwen following a tour of 50 Welsh chapels.
● Colored: The Unsung Life of Claudette Colvin – groundbreaking AR experience forBOCS voted Best Immersive Work in Cannes
● A Celebration of Bay Jazz – celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Butetown Bay Jazz Heritage Festival.
● Voices of the Future with Lock Off an epic night of MOBO talent created by young people for young people.
Llais is proudly presented as part of Cardiff Music City Festival (27 September – 20 October 2024), a city-wide extravaganza bringing three boundary-pushing weeks of gigs, immersive happenings, residencies, installations and pop-ups to all parts of Cardiff. Cardiff City Music Festival is supported by the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council.
