performing arts
Performers
Chepstow Musical Show Choir
Chepstow Musical Show Choir has performed at the last few festivals. It is a welcoming community group that loves to sing, have fun, and support one another. Many members initially joined just to give it a try, but they have since discovered their voices, built confidence, and formed lifelong friendships along the way.
Shiftypop
Shiftypop has had a passion for music since she was a child. She learnt to play the guitar at 13 and wrote her first song at 15. Since graduating with a Creative Sound & Music Degree in 2012, she has been a full-time freelance jingle-writer and voice-over artist. Shiftypop started going live on TikTok in 2024, throwing herself into learning as many cover songs as she could on her baritone uke. She is now being booked for live gigs and is writing and producing her first uke-acoustic album which will be released this year.
Keith Hyett
Keith Hyett’s classical guitar music is a joy to listen to. He will take you on a journey in time and place with his tunes which are inspired by medieval English music to flamenco guitar music. He has a wide experience of performing from small venues to outside at festivals and large venues. This year, he is promoting his latest collection of tunes, which he will perform for us at the Festival.
Frankie Wesson
Multi award-winning singer-songwriter Frankie Wesson started writing songs and performing in her hometown of Abergavenny at the age of 16. Her cinematic songs draw inspiration from her personal experiences. Raised on artists like Alanis Morisette, Eva Cassidy and Stevie Nicks. Wesson also takes inspiration from contemporary artists such as Deaf Havana, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. Frankie’s songs have been featured on BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Introducing. In 2023 she won Tredegar House Folk Festival’s songwriter competition with single ‘Just Friends’. 2024 also saw her single ‘Delicate’ win Best Song at the Love Live Music Awards.
Chepstow Male Voice choir
Chepstow Male Voice Choir has been wowing audiences at home and abroad for over thirty years, building an enviable reputation for its brilliant sound and polished performances. They are renowned for their extensive repertoire and wide-ranging choice of songs. There’s something for everyone, including Pop and Rock classics, West End and Broadway show stoppers, choruses from the world of Grand Opera and national favourites from countries around the world.
CMVC performs charitable concerts regularly in and around Chepstow with two main concerts each year, one at Christmas and the other in the summer.
The Rob Connolly Band
The Rob Connolly Band are an acoustic trio from Chepstow playing a lovely mix of folk, country and rock’n’roll. As well as several local pubs including the Three Tuns in Chepstow we have played original sets at Coleford Music Festival, Folk on the Lawn in Tintern and the Tewkesbury Music Festival.
Kan Koth
Kan Koth is a folk/Americana Forest of Dean/Bristol-based duo, consisting of Saara (FI) on vocals and mandolin and Toby (UK) on vocals and guitar. We love to play originals as well as new interpretations of folk, popular and Americana songs, laced with harmonies and intricate guitar riffs.
Anouska wheeler
Solo ukulele player, playing songs from almost every genre, and not quite what you would expect of a ukulele, it has a bit of a guitar complex, but don’t tell her.
Rock Choir Chepstow
The UK’s leading local contemporary choir, based in Chepstow, Abergavenny, Newport, and Monmouth, offers a vibrant community focused on singing, fun, friendship, and inclusivity. Meeting weekly, members come together to learn and perform popular pop and rock songs, creating an engaging and supportive environment.
Lena and Ceri
Lena and Ceri are duettists from Chepstow with an easy listening style. They have helped to raise over £3000 for local churches and charities since June 2024 and were delighted to open the candlelight Carol Service at St Mary’s Priory and Parish Church in December. They are honoured to have performed with professional singer-songwriter Mal Pope at St Pierre Church and are looking forward to welcoming him back to the Church, along with West End star Steve Balsamo, to sing with them in March.
Sue Skinner
Sue Skinner is a local singer-songwriter who performs both solo and as part of the duo Double Measure. She has a deep appreciation for all good music, with a particular fondness for folk, blues, and Americana. Many of her songs are inspired by the local area. Last November, she released her debut solo album, Rainbows in the Road, which is available on all streaming platforms. In addition to her music, she also organises a monthly open mic night and hosts songwriting sessions.
Me and em
Me and Em are a Wye Valley-based acoustic duo, performing covers from the 1960s to the present day in their own unique style. Over the past two years, they have played at Devauden Festival and have been booked once again for this year. In addition to festival performances, they regularly bring their music to local events and pubs.
The Singing Club
The Singing Club, based in Monmouthshire, is made up of 4 open access community groups. We sing anything and everything. We often like to dress for the occasion! In 2024, we sang centuries old music at Chepstow 500. For Elvis Day, we put together an ‘Elvis Medley ‘. August saw as at Castle Rock. October, a tour to Ireland. At Christmas, we performed with ‘folk band ‘Carmina’ in Chepstow and Bristol. We are very much a ‘choir’ for the community as well as a community choir, performing at community events and raising money for charity.
Yulia Shokolenko
Yulia Shokolenko is 27 years old. She and her son moved from Ukraine after the war began. From childhood, she was always on stage singing, but after becoming a mother, she no longer had time to pursue her passion. Now, she has returned to singing because of her deep love for music and her desire to perform from the bottom of her heart.
WHIRLIGIG
Whirligig is a local five-piece band featuring a guitarist, a ukulele player, a woodwind player, and two vocalists/percussionists. The group performs a wide range of popular music, spanning traditional folk and blues to more modern songs, all in support of charitable causes. Formed in the summer of 2023, Whirligig first came together to play at an event in Chepstow Riverside Park. Since then, the band has performed at a local Christmas market, entertained Chepstow u3a in a Drill Hall concert, and collaborated with Go2 Theatre to stage an event at St Luke’s Church, earning positive reviews from audiences.
Chaos Music and Drama
First formed in 1908, Chaos Music and Drama have been entertaining the people of Chepstow for over 100 years. With a reputation for putting on sell-out, fantastically entertaining pantomimes every January and spectacular summer musicals and plays at Chepstow Drill Hall. Chaos is a wonderful society full of individuals from all walks of life with a love of live performance. As a not-for-profit society, Chaos is voluntarily run. From directing, costume design, lighting and sound design to acting, singing, dancing and stage managing. Chaos is a warm, friendly and supportive group who welcome everyone willing to give it a go!
VB Samba
VB Samba is a community samba drumming band based in Newport and Chepstow. Established in 2015 in Chepstow, the group has performed at over 70 events, many of which are local community gatherings.
Samba is an Afro-Brazilian music style with roots in the dances and religious practices of West African slaves brought to Brazil during Portuguese colonisation in the 1500s.
The band comprises approximately 20 members and holds rehearsals at Hannah’s Music School in Chepstow on Tuesday lunchtimes and Ponthir Village Hall on Wednesday evening.
David Hanratty
David Hanratty is a singer-songwriter known for writing and performing original music. He showcases his talent both as a solo artist on acoustic guitar and as part of a three-piece band. His set features a dynamic range, from lively, toe-tapping rhythms to delicate, finger-picked folk ballads
The Alternatives
The Alternatives are a four-piece band that reimagines well-known songs with a fresh twist, delivering alternative renditions through dynamic tempo shifts and creative mash-ups.