From Bulawayo to Barcelona - the world's at 2010 Maindee Festival! 

People from all over the world will be coming to Newport this Autumn for the Ryder Cup. Our 2010 Festival programme reflects this international focus. But unlike the Ryder Cup, you won't have to dig deep for tickets to Maindee Festival - as it's all free! Our brilliant street parade hits Corporation Road at mid-day on Saturday July 3rd. Then the action moves to the grounds of Maindee Primary School (map) from 1pm to 8pm when you and your family can enjoy an inspirational day of international musicians, workshops and site performances.  

Impact All Stars are a phenomenon! As the house band of London's excellent Impact Theatre, who work for inclusion through arts practice, it's no surprise that the members have learning disabilities - but that's not the point. Their songs (exemplified by "I don’t want to work at Tescos", Jamie Skete's "Take me out tonight" and "Call me") deliver hard-hitting themes of enforced dependency and social disenfranchisement. The music's pretty damn good too! All Stars are performing, along with many others acts at Maindee, as part of the Unity Festival. Download full Unity Festival programme here 

This year we are delighted to welcome back Grassroots Theatre, a pioneering group who use theatre to raise awareness about HIV and TB in  rural areas of Zimbabwe. In Maindee they will be helping to interpret our "water is life" theme in a series of primary school workshops during the week running up to the Festival. You can see the results of these workshops in the parade and then enjoy an inspirational Grassroots main stage performance. 

Not heard of Sparrow and the Workshop ? This is about to change! With rave reviews for their newly-released debut album and gigs at loads of major festival this Summer, this American/Scottish/Welsh trio are about to hit the big time. (review). Gregor Donaldson's pacey drumming and low harmonies are the perfect support to Jill O’Sullivan's haunting lead vocals. It's all held together with sublime guitar and bass from, Chepstow-lad, Nick Packer. Check out their myspace site.

Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara. A chance to listen to these guys live in the intimate atmosphere of Maindee before they head off to amaze the big crowds at this year's WOMAD.

"Adams' prowling, earthy guitar riffs are the perfect foil to Camara's airborne single-stringed riti (violin) soloing" The Independent on Sunday

“Tell No Lies - The deepest trance-blues this side of Timbuktu. Tougher, louder, edgier and more elemental than ever” Uncut

After a blistering debut performance at Pontardawe, Moongazer have rapidly become firm favourites on the festival circuit.

Formed in 2007 by front man Nigel Davies, the experienced members include Welsh fiddle champion, Jamie Nemeth - quickly gaining a strong reputation among affcionados of folk and roots. At last, they bring their infectious and highly danceable folk rock set to Maindee. 

http://www.moongazer.net

http://www.myspace.com/moongazerband