Issue 147

Light the flame!

23rd October 2006

Set against the stunning backdrop of Singleton Park, a brand new music festival is set to draw the crowds to Swansea next summer for what organisers hope will be the ultimate live music experience. Taken from the Welsh word for flame, the inaugral Fflam festival will welcome some of the hottest new and established Welsh bands, as well as an enticing array of British and international acts that should ensure that Fflam proves to be one of the live events of 2007.

With a capacity of 30,000 people per day, Fflam will aim to showcase the very best rock, indie and dance music over three days from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 July. Promoters Straight Music Ltd, who have successfully worked on large-scale UK tours for the likes of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Eminem, have already indicated that three local unsigned bands will be given the chance to perform at the festival as the opening act on the main stage each night, although no acts have been confirmed as of yet.

Organisers have also promised punters 'superb' camping facilities with late night entertainment, and although it won't be on the main festival site, there will be regular shuttle services operating between the two sites.

Straight Music Ltd director, John Curd, has said, "Our aim is that Fflam will become to Wales what T in the Park is to Scotland. We're aiming directly at a Welsh audience... but everyone is welcome from throughout the UK, Ireland & Europe "Our aim is to give people the best possible line-up of music, across the three days, with the best value for money and with people going away having had the time of their lives."

Singleton Park is no stranger to hosting live events, with Escape into the Park held every year, as well as the BBC's Proms in the Park. Council leader Chris Holley anticipates that this will be good for the city of Swansea. "This will put Swansea firmly on the music festival map and will raise our profile across Britain. We are beginning to gain a reputation for staging major events and we want this to be the start of things to come for Swansea."

Early bird tickets will go on sale 4 December for personal callers only to the Grand Theatre and Derrick's Records priced at £80 for weekend passes or £95 including camping.

Tickets will then go on general sale from 11 December at £115 for the weekend including camping, £100 for weekend passes, or £40 for a day passes.

Pete Hayman