The South Wales Valleys’ music, arts and culture festival returns with an impressive lineup this autumn. While early in the week you can catch a variety of literary, industry, art and children’s events about town, the weekend sports a three-day bill at the freshly refurbished Miner’s Institute.
Performing on Friday is Newport alt metal four-piece Dub War alongside The Voyeurs and Gwenno. Saturday sees up-and-coming garage punk duo Slaves headline with Glen Matlock and Henry’s Funeral Shoe also appearing, as well as Don Letts. The Meat Puppets play their first Welsh show on Sunday with their brand of acid-fried, Americana-sweetened hardcore, with The Noses and Fjords also on the bill. BAFTA-winning filmmaker Kieran Evans and Manic Street Preachers’ Nicky Wire will also curate a film festival at the town’s Maxime Cinema. A full bill of bands and films for that event are forthcoming.
Festival director Iain Richards says of this year’s bill: “To have an iconic American band in the Meat Puppets, the legends of punk that are Glen Matlock and Don Letts and Blackwood’s very own Nicky Wire curating the film festival, ensures the town stages an event of the highest calibre and puts Velvet Coalmine firmly on the festival map.” Only in its second year, Velvet Coalmine runs September 1 – 6. You can buy early bird tickets here.
