Calan bring together the remarkable talents of five young musicians giving a fresh and vibrant sound to traditional Welsh music. With a contemporary and lively approach, they breathe new life into the old traditions through their sparkling melodies, foot tapping tunes and spirited and energetic performances of Welsh step dancing.
The band have come a long way from their beginnings as buskers in the streets of Cardiff raising money to pay for university fees. By 2015 they were performing alongside Bryn Terfel and Sting at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of Bryn Terfel’s 50th birthday party.
The group, who have raised some eyebrows with their policy of eye-catching outfits, see themselves as a new generation of ambassadors, striving to take their distinctive sound to new audiences, while raising the profile of Welsh traditional music on an international level. Their instrumental blend consists of fiddles, whistles, guitar, bagpipes and a traditional reed instrument from Wales called a pibgorn made from a wooden pipe and the horns of a bull. The band members are Sam Humphreys (guitar), Bethan Williams-Jones (accordion, vocals), Patrick Rimes (fiddle, whistle, pipes), Angharad Sian (fiddle), and Alice French (harp).
Together 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. Guaranteed great fun, a sense of humour and unique Welsh step dancing from a champion!
".....a diverse ride between giddy Welsh reeling, healthy acoustic folk-pop with upfront attitude and brashness of youth."
fRoots
"and there's nowt as dear as folk especially when played with the grace, daring and sheer joy this multi- instrumental five-piece bring to a winning selection of reels, jigs and hornpipes"
The Mirror
"Folk just got a kick up of the Noughties... stunning use of instrumentation, gorgeously crafted songs, sprightly foot-tappers, verve and raw excitement"
Belfast Telegraph
