Festival No.6 Preview

Festival No.6 with all its scenery and serenity is back next week, for what is sadly, the final instalment. Organisers released a statement earlier in the year explaining that the festival was no longer sustainable in its current guise and would be taking a leave of absence. And for anyone who has visited the site it’s no surprise that it has caused a few logistical nightmares over the years – beautiful as it may be, trying to get thousands of revellers to and from it safely, not to mention tour buses and rigs must have caused a few headaches.

As its strapline so eloquently puts it, it is a festival unlike any other; refined, laid back and wonderfully peculiar. Nestled in the rolling North Wales countryside with the Mediterranean Portmeirion phenomenon as a backdrop, it fast became an award winning festival that garnered much attention across the globe. Over the last 6 years, influential headliners have joined preeminent new talent and esteemed DJ’s for an unrivalled fete of music, arts and culture. And this year is no exception – a fitting swan song of contemporary, reminiscence and all that’s in-between awaits.

Topping the bill this year are Friendly Fires, The The and Franz Ferdinand, with the likes of Everything  Everything, Jessie Ware, The Charlatans, Gaz Coombes, Django Django, The Horrors, Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor and Anna Calvi also featuring high on the bill. As ever though, it’s not just about the headliners and the Grand’s Pavilion will undoubtedly see some of the festival’s stand out performances; not least from Gengahr hot off the back of their hailed second album Where Wildness Grows earlier this year. Label mate Marika Hackman will also be making an appearance along with local lass Gwenno, Goat Girl, Gogo Penguin and Pale Honey.

As in previous years the BBC Horizons stage will be showcasing an array of new and independent Welsh talent. Ones to watch next weekend include; Adwaith, Alffa, Campfire Social, Himalayas, See River and The Pitchforks. Tim Burgess’ Tim Peaks Pop-up, which is now a notorious hive of new talent, will also be showcasing some bright new things; Cut Glass Kings, The Mysteries and Average Sex being surefire hits.

And last but by no means least, the phenomenal Brythoniaid Male Voice Choir; as ever, are not to be missed and will definitely provide the highlight of anyone’s festival. If you don’t get goosebumps watching them as the sun sets on The Central Piazza then you’re not human, and given this may be the last time you ever get the opportunity, we sincerely recommend you get down early.

Words by Michelle Lloyd