Calan

The dynamic quintet’s debut album, Bling, has everything you could want from a record — stunning use of instrumentation, gorgeously crafted songs, sprightly foot-tappers, verve and raw excitement.

The Belfast Telegraph

Calan is a new, vibrant five-piece folk band breathing new life into traditional Welsh music with sparkling melodies, foot-tapping tunes and a spirited and energetic performance of Welsh step dancing. They blast their way through some of the old favourite reels, jigs and hornpipes with fast paced and uplifting arrangements before melting into some of the most beautiful and haunting songs.

Four of the members met up in Sweden in 2005 while taking part in Trac's Wales-Sweden exchange programme, visiting the Ethno summer school. They are all in their teens and early twenties, and come from different parts of Wales - the Lleyn Peninsula, Swansea, Bryn Mawr, Newport and Bangor.

Patrick Rimes (Fiddle, pipes and whistle) Twice junior Celtic fiddle champion he is a multi-instrumentalist acclaimed as the rising fiddle star in Wales.

Bethan Williams-Jones (Accordion, piano, vocals and champion step dancer). Nominated in 2007 for the coveted Bryn Terfel Scholarship.

Llinos Eleri Jones (Harp) Learned her craft from traditional players in Wales and gives Calan that magical ingredient - the unique sound of the Welsh harp.

Angharad Sian Jenkins - is not only folk player. Her talents are also being sought out by rock bands and singer-songwriters. She recently toured Ireland, Holland and Brittany.

Chris ab Alun - brings a mixture of traditional rhythms and a hint of swing guitar to give the overall sound a racy feel.

Calan will be joined by special guests Brigyn and Gwyneth Glyn.