SOME of the world’s most influential and critically acclaimed blues and soul artists will be performing at Theatr Clwyd later this year.

The North Wales Blues and Soul Festival, now in its sixth year, is being held at the venue for the first time.

It will take place over the weekend of August 2 to 4.

Artists will perform on an outside stage and within the theatre.

The festival was previously held at Kendrick’s Field in Mold and has moved to allow it to expand and become weather-proofed.

The line-up is due to be announced in February but the festival has a track record of blending respected international artists with emerging talent. Headliners have included Grammy-nominated UK soul singer James Hunter, whose albums have been lavished with praise on both sides of the Atlantic, and multi-award winning King King, along with Texas blues star Hamilton Loomis and artists from France, Greece and New Zealand.

In 2018 the festival featured two of the brightest rising stars of blues and soul, Elles Bailey and award-winning blues harmonica player Liam Ward.

Charlie Broadhurst, promoter from Event Sound Limited, said: “Our festival has built up a reputation over the last five years for bringing together a fantastic collection of blues and soul artists.

"Ours is a high quality, boutique event, with acts for true aficionados to savour and a wonderfully friendly three days, with local acts threaded into the bill.”

Liam Evans-Ford, Theatr Clwyd’s executive director said: “We’re excited to welcome North Wales Blues and Soul Festival to our beautiful building this August.

"Music is a great way to bring people together in a way that benefits the local community as well as drawing audiences to the region and we’re looking forward to welcoming artists and festival-goers alike.”

Geoff Collett, who chairs the festival’s volunteer group, said: “The ability to use the theatre’s performance spaces will add another dimension to our event and we are just delighted to have this opportunity to work with the team at Theatr Clywd.

"The festival helps to showcase North Wales to a completely new audience who will visit the town’s bars, restaurants, shops and market, supporting our community.

"Mold bars and pubs get into the spirit with a supporting programme of blues acts. The festival also provides an opportunity for local businesses to sell their food and drink on-site."

Aside from award-winning acts, the festival features a range of fringe events, including music workshops, and raises funds for national charity, Music for All, which provides instruments for young people who cannot afford to learn or keep playing music.

Camping is available on-site including boutique glamping chalets.

Established in 2014 by Event Sound Ltd and a committee of Mold volunteers, the festival is supported by a number of local and national businesses including restaurant group, Living Ventures.

Tickets for this year’s festival will be limited to 550 per day to allow for the entire programme to be moved into the main theatre, should the weather be too bad for an outdoor festival.

However, if the weather is favourable, the outdoor space can accommodate over a thousand.

Tickets will be on sale in February from Theatr Clwyd - www.theatrclwyd.com - and in due course from www.nwbluesandsoul.co.uk