We are delighted to once again be hosting one of Swansea’s favourite nights in the musical calendar; Folk @ The Fringe!
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-swansea-fringe-festival-2026-tickets-1980070305586
MARI MATHIAS
25 year old Welsh female artist Mari Mathias creates mystical behaviour, driven by nature, landscape and tradition. She sings in her native welsh tongue and puts her own contemporary take on traditional folk melodies from West Wales & Pembrokeshire. She brings a surging energy on stage & beautiful tones of delicate melodic vocals, marrying intimate moments of storytelling and exhilarating folk sounds. Her music creates a confident step forward over the post modern footprints that extends through past and present , exploring a re-imaged reminder of identity.
Mari grew up in the rural village of Talgarreg, a stones throw away from the Ceredigion coastline. Her Debut Album ‘Annwn’ was released in March 2022, framed around samples of her great-grandfathers cassette tapes, creating a window into a significant place that no longer exists but holds vast meaning. Her exciting sound is described as Alternative Folk , a great description of a nation that’s confidently re-defining itself.
2023 was an exhilarating year for Mari and her band, having performed on many celebrated stages such as Cambridge Folk Festival, Lorient Interceltique Festival, Green Man Festival, Between the Trees and many more. She won an Award for the ‘Best Traditional Song’ from her Debut ‘Annwn’ at the BBC Folk Awards.
2024 was an exciting year for Mari , as she collaborated on the Awen EP with a variety of musicians from all corners of Wales in different landscapes across the magical country , on new material reflecting on forgotten aspects of folk traditions , language and climate, each track released on each seasonal change of the year - connecting to the ancient Celtic calendar of the equinox and solstices.
She now embarks on releasing her second studio album in spring 2026 , recorded at Studio Owz in Pembrokeshire in collaboration with professional musicians who play with her during live shows , carrying you away to the heather rooted coastline of West Wales and the spirit of the bluestone , packed with magic, storytelling and folklore.
Dark And Twisties
Dark and Twisties are a folk outfit hailing from Swansea. They consist of Sarah Birch (vox, percussion), Kate Ronconi (words, vox, strings, banjo), Sarah Passmore (vox, acoustic guitar, banjo), Danny Kilbride (bass guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, vox) and Huw Rees (drums and percussion).
“Powerful & evocative... engaging storytelling & emotive harmonies” Folk Honey
“hypnotising harmonies and transcendent tones” Tempo Magazine
“dark and twisties draw on the timeless allure of traditional folk while infusing it with modern ethereal sensibilities” Illustrate Magazine
THE DEIGHTONES
To follow
MANON
Manon wrote her first song at the age of 15. Her debut single, Amryliw, was released in 2025 with the support of Menter Iaith Abertawe. You may have seen her performing at events across Swansea, including Gŵyl Tawe, Croeso, and Amplitude, as well as at local venues such as The Bunkhouse and Down By Here.
With her Welsh and French upbringing, Manon draws inspiration from both cultures. She writes most of her songs in Welsh but also creates music in English and French. She is passionate about promoting the Welsh language, particularly in Swansea. Manon regularly attends Future Blood in Swansea in Down by here, where she continues to develop her craft and grow as an artist. She hopes to release more music in the near future.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-swansea-fringe-festival-2026-tickets-1980070305586