Friday 24th
6.15pm - Great Cheese Race
7pm - 10pm - Main Music Stage
10pm - Firework Display
Sat 25th & Sun 26th
from 11:00am - The Big Cheese Entertainment programme includes: Reenactment displays, musical entertainment, educational activities, food hall, craft stalls, activity marquee, Tommy Cooper tent, traditional funfair plus lots more.
What was on 2008
visitCaerphilly
Telephone: (029) 2088 0011
E-mail: tourism@caerphilly.gov.uk
OPEN AIR MUSIC STAGE
A fabulous feet tapping mixture of musical entertainment from the best of Welsh Talent.
Relax and watch a mixed programme of musical entertainment for all tastes and ages. Next to the onsite bar this is a favorite for music lovers attending the event offering a picnic type atmosphere.
The Kappa Band
Fri 25th - 8:00pm
With bass player Martin Byrne, a cool, groove making electric/stand-up bass player, with a great voice, and Vinnie Smith, a rock-solid drummer with a great feeling for his music, they provide a fantastic backing for Paul’s songs, exploring dark moods and bright sunshine, post punk, rock and roll, country music and extreme Jimi Hendrix-style late sixties hard rock freak out, and all other points between. A unique and potent mix.
John Lewis
Fri 25th - 7:00pm
John Lewis plays Rockabilly, blues, boppers and good old rock'n'roll with his new Rock’n’Roll trio, bashing the piano and finger picking the guitar in a manner to scare the most accomplished musicians. With his instantly recognisable voice he’ll rock you with great classic tunes and some songs written yesterday.
Zephyr
Sat 26th - 4:30pm
Zephyr are a Cover band from South Wales. Hear the tracks made famous by band names that shaped rock music from the late 60's to the present day, including Rolling Stones, The Doobie Brothers, Stereophonics and Feeder.
Jones and Barnard
Sat 26th - 1:30pm & 3:30pm
A satirical exploration examining the eccentricities of the collective British character through the universal language of eccentric dance, classic song and variety skill routines, entwined with an original funky soundtrack with intimate comedy. This duo have a totally fresh approach to the presentation of comedy classics, combined with a sensitive use of volunteers to comedic effect making the audience part of, not apart from, the show.
Audiocalm
Sat 26th - 11:30am & 2:30pm
Audiocalm is a band that started life playing folk and roots music, but over the years has evolved to the live rock outfit they are today. This Bridgend four-piece, led by Andy Huntley, was runner-up in the 'Global Battle of the Bands' and has played alongside Jamie T, Pull Tiger Tail and Newton Faulkner.
Mat Mountain
Sat 26th - 2:00pm
Mat left his home in Tyneside and rode across the country on his mountain bike with his guitar on his back. After many adventures throughout the islands of Britain he settled in the hills of Wales, where he lives and works today. What's it all about? Real folk music, it's about time someone with an acoustic guitar wrote some decent, lively songs without boring you. Mat plays a left-handed acoustic guitar and rides a black mountain bike. Keep your eyes peeled.
Christopher Rees
Sat 26th - 12:30pm
Christopher Rees is an alt-country favourite of MOJO Magazine, who described his latest album ‘Cautionary Tales’ as "Full of Simmering Soul". In 2004 he won Best Male Solo Artist at the Welsh Music Awards and recent touring activities with legendary Texan country songwriter Billy Joe Shaver and others like Richard Hawley have further enhanced his growing reputation. An amazing singer and songwriter, Christopher brings his guitars, banjo and harmonicas to the Big Cheese to sing his tales of murder, bluesy angst and beautiful heartfelt emotion. Don’t miss him!
Dance Factor
Sat 26th - 11:00am
Sun 27th - 11:00am
Dance Factor Dance Club and Stage Factor Performing Arts are built on on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy performing whatever their abilities. We hope these values will encourage people to dance, sing and act. Not only is this a great way of keeping fit, it's also great for building self-confidence, making friends and having fun!!
Sugarline
Sun 27th - 4:30pm
Sugarline are a four piece band from Barry. Playing rock music as it should be played - Guitar based rock, solid riffs, distinctive vocals, all with a bright edge, and bags of attitude. Keeping rock alive and enjoying it! Sugarline enjoy an ever-growing fan base, adding more at each and every gig they play!
Bruce Airhead
Sun 27th - 1:30pm & 3:30pm
Thirty minutes of totally original, high energy, family street entertainment that has been performed on three continents, laughed at by the crown heads of Europe, mud splatted in the fields of Glastonbury, and enjoyed by everyone. It's spectacular and surreal. The metamorphosis of a man and six foot balloon.
J44
Sun 27th - 11:30am & 2:30pm
Swansea based blues band J44 has Ayesha on vocals and keys, Luke on guitar, Chris on bass, Brian on drums and have a unique style. Each of the members draws inspiration from their individual influences to bring to the mix. They strive for originality and a good sound.
Jim Fox
Sun 27th - 2:00pm
Jim Fox, the troubadour with a voice like that of Van Morrison, has been described by The Irish World as “one of the most sought after acts on the Celtic music scene today”. As a solo singer and songwriter or with his band Madra Rua, he has played numerous festivals throughout Europe and has supported the likes of The Dubliners on their tours.
Stephen Light
Sun 27th - 12:30pm
Stephen Light is a singer songwriter from Ebbw Vale, now living in Caerleon. He was described by Adam Walton on Radio Wales as “Just a little bit outstanding” and the Western Mail say he has “Hints of Johnny Cash, Led Zep, Nick Cave, Fairports and Neil Young”. Stephen sometimes plays solo, and sometimes with the Black Sand Band - both allowing him to indulge his love of country, folk, world, jazz, 60’s, pop and early blues.