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Only Men Aloud to headline Pontys Big Weekend Concert
04 Jun 2014
Brit Award-winning Only Men Aloud and special guests to headline Ponty’s Big Weekend 2014 FREE family concert
FAMILY favourites Only Men Aloud will take to the stage alongside a host of special guests, local talent and exciting rising stars for the FREE Saturday Ponty’s Big Weekend Concert.
Organisers Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and event partners Orchard Entertainment are delighted to have secured the “Nation’s Favourite Choir” for their flagship weekend event, which, for the Saturday, will be hosted by singer, actor and presenter Connie Fisher.
Only Men Aloud, who shot to fame as winners of the Last Choir Standing, have scooped a Classical Brit Award for their album and wowed millions with their performance at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
They may have taken their incredible act around the world, but the Welsh choir loves performing to a Valleys audience and cannot wait to take to the stage in the beautiful Ynysangharad War Memorial Park on Saturday, July 19.
Only Men Aloud will be the perfect headline act for the Saturday afternoon/evening concert, which is designed to be a free, family-friendly event with something for everyone to ensure all the family has a great time. Their sensational performances include operatic classics and musical showstoppers to Tom Jones and Coldplay.
Also adding to the family feel will be popular local talent Lucie Jones, who is also making a welcome return to PBW. She showcased her talent on the X Factor and went on to be signed for performances and appearances across the UK, before landing a role in one of the hottest musicals around – Les Miserable in London’s West End.
Determined to continue the fun – and add a dusting of variety – organisers have also secured the fantastic 57 Chevy, a group of four young, local performers who came together as a result of support from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cultural Services team, using Arts Council for Wales funding.
They will get audiences jigging and jiving, twisting and shouting with hits from the 50s and 60s, from rock and roll to Motown, from doo-wop to twist and shout.
It is hoped more local talent will be added to the confirmed line up in the coming weeks.
Only Men Aloud with Connie Fisher, Lucie Jones, 57 Chevy and more, soon-to-be announced talented acts, complete the Ponty’s Big Weekend 2014 line-up.
They will take to the stage on the Saturday, with boyband sensation Union J, X Factor winner Sam Bailey, Rough Copy, Loveable Rogues, Titch, The Parades and Damage taking Ponty by storm during the Sunday evening concert.
Cllr Maureen Webber, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Council Business and Corporate Affairs, said: “We have once again worked successfully with our partners to secure a top-notch and varied line-up that offers something for everyone throughout the duration of Ponty’s Big Weekend 2014, which will in turn attract crowds to Pontypridd, boost the town’s profile, businesses and local economy.
“Only Men Aloud and guests will offer a fantastic, free family concert on the Saturday, while the headline concert with Union J and Sam Bailey will see people flock to the park on the Sunday.
“One of the key elements of Ponty’s Big Weekend remains showcasing local talent and offering rising stars the chance to share a stage with household names, giving them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Dave Driscoll, of Orchard Entertainment, said: “The revamped Only Men Aloud went down a storm on their Welsh tour earlier this year, and I know they’ll be warmly welcomed back to Ponty’s Big Weekend.
“We are also lucky to have two more great Welsh artists Lucie Jones and Connie Fisher with us for the day, so fans have a lot to look forward to.”
Brian Greaves, Senior Community Relations Manager at Costain, the Council’s regeneration partner in Pontypridd, said: “As in previous years, the Saturday line up with Only Men Aloud is a great opportunity for local people and others to come to Pontypridd visit the impressive town centre and to experience a first class act. We are really pleased to be supporting Rhondda Cynon Taff Council to provide the opportunity for local people.”
Announcing the Ponty’s Big Weekend date, Only Men Aloud founder and Music Director, Tim Rhys Evans, said: “We play all over the world but, as a Valleys boy myself, I love coming home to play this lovely event, especially with the new generation Only Men Aloud.
“The new line-up has been working hard on material over the past months, and we got a tremendous reaction when we took the show on the road around Wales in the spring.”
Ponty’s Big Weekend 2014 is proudly brought to you by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Orchard Entertainment and Capital FM. The event is sponsored by Costain, the Council’s regeneration partner in Pontypridd. Each year, the event attracts thousands of visitors from across the UK, helping place RCT on the music map and delivering a welcome boost for local businesses and tourism as it showcases the area to visitors from across the region and beyond.
Tickets for the Sunday event with Union J, Sam Bailey and guests are on sale now.
Tickets for the FREE Saturday event with Only Men Aloud and guests are available from 9am tomorrow (Thursday, June 3). Tickets are free and can be collected from any of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s theatres or One4All centres.
You can also order them online or via telephone, but please be aware if you choose to order them this way, booking and postage charges will apply. A maximum of six tickets per person will be allowed.
Get your tickets from: