The Breath

 

The Breath is Stuart McCallum, acclaimed guitar whiz and ex-member of The Cinematic Orchestra, and Ríoghnach Connolly, multi award-winning folk singer. Softly-spoken Stuart and larger-than-life Ríoghnach met on Manchester’s gig circuit in the late noughties and their connection was immediate. They formed The Breath in 2016, a singer-songwriter duo to present their contemporary take on alt-folk.

For them, it’s all about the song. Connolly is a storyteller and their exquisitely crafted, honest, personal, heartfelt songs are as likely to touch on childhood summers and first love as cultural dislocation, post- colonial injustices and grief. But it’s Ríoghnach’s impassioned delivery and extraordinary stop-you-in- your-tracks voice, coupled with Stuart’s understated brilliance that is so engaging.

The Breath have released three albums on Peter Gabriel’s Real World label. Their breakthrough album, ‘Carry Your Kin’ (2016) delved deeply into the spaces between rock, ambient and Irish folk, where layered vocals, mesmerising guitar riffs and expansive folk arrangements created a big sound. ‘Let the Cards Fall’ followed in 2018, and, like the first, was recorded with a full band granting a multi-textured kaleidoscope of sound with a cinematic sensibility. References to Celtic history and cultural loss are woven into a bewitching collection of songs that span beguiling ballads and punch-the-air anthems. In support of the release, Stuart and Ríoghnach performed a series of shows – just the two of them. Stripped bare, they found a new depth and beauty in their songs allowing their extraordinary connection to shine through.

The duo returned to the studio in 2019 to record ‘Only Stories (Let the Cards Fall Revisited)’ reimagining previous work (alongside two new songs) taking it back to its acoustic roots. This new direction would see Ríoghnach Connolly receive an RTÉ Folk Award nomination for Best Folk Singer and win Folk Singer Of The Year at the 2019 BBC R2 Folk Awards for which the duo were also nominated as Best Duo/Group.

 

"An affecting blend... McCallum provides the grandeur and artifice and Connolly the intimacy and purity." - Uncut
"The Breath rolls across the senses like clouds caress low hills – always moving, changing, evolving; and utterly fascinating." - Folk Radio.com
"Folk roots but different horizons... the jaw-droppingly stunning, woozy voice of Ríoghnach Connolly." - The Guardian

 

 

James Maddock

James Maddock Live at The Assembly Room

Experience an unforgettable evening with James Maddock, the acclaimed British‑born, New York‑based singer‑songwriter whose soulful voice and richly crafted songs have earned him a devoted international following. On 20 June, he brings his transatlantic blend of folk, rock, and Americana to the historic Assembly Room in Ruthin for a rare, intimate performance.

Maddock’s music is known for its warm acoustic textures, poetic storytelling, and that unmistakable, lived‑in voice that has drawn comparisons to the greats of the singer‑songwriter tradition. Whether performing tender ballads or driving roots‑rock numbers, he creates a connection with audiences that feels personal, heartfelt, and deeply human.

Set within the atmospheric surroundings of Ruthin’s Victorian Assembly Room, this special concert promises a night of exceptional musicianship, moving songwriting, and the kind of close‑up performance that stays with you long after the final note.

Don’t miss the chance to see James Maddock in one of North Wales’ most characterful venues.
Tickets are limited – early booking is strongly recommended.

James Maddock yn Fyw yn Yr Ystafell Ymgunnull

Dewch i fwynhau noson arbennig gyda James Maddock, y canwr‑gyfansoddwr o Brydain sy’n byw yn Efrog Newydd ac sydd wedi ennill canmoliaeth eang am ei lais cynnes, graenus a’i ganeuon llawn stori. Ar 20 Mehefin, bydd yn dod â’i gymysgedd unigryw o ffolk, roc ac Americana i ystafell hanesyddol Yr Ystafell Ymgunnull, Rhuthun, ar gyfer perfformiad agos a chofiadwy.

Mae cerddoriaeth Maddock yn adnabyddus am ei thôn gynnes ac acwstig, ei naratifau barddonol a’r llais unigryw hwnnw sy’n teimlo’n ddiffuant ac yn ddynol. Boed yn ganu baledi tyner neu’n perfformio traciau roc gwreiddiau mwy bywiog, mae’n creu cysylltiad uniongyrchol â’r gynulleidfa sy’n aros gyda chi ymhell ar ôl i’r noson ddod i ben.

Yn y lleoliad atmosfferig a hanesyddol hwn o gyfnod Fictoraidd, mae’r gig yn addo noson o gerddoriaeth o’r radd flaenaf, caneuon sy’n cyffwrdd y galon, a pherfformiad agos‑atoch na cheir ei debyg yn aml yng Ngogledd Cymru.

Peidiwch â cholli’r cyfle i weld James Maddock mewn un o leoliadau mwyaf swynol Rhuthun.
Mae tocynnau’n gyfyngedig – archebwch yn gynnar.

 

Taff Rapids

Experience Taff Rapids live at the Assembly Room, Ruthin Town Hall, an energetic night of Welsh folk, bluegrass and Americana. Book your tickets now for one of Ruthin’s top live‑music events.

Taff Rapids are Cardiff’s bluegrass sensation, delivering a high-energy fusion of original bluegrass songwriting, driving instrumentation, and a distinctly Welsh twist. Singing with both English and Welsh lyrics with tight harmonies and instrumental firepower, the band - Darren Eedens, Siôn Russell Jones, David Grubb, and Clem Saynor - have carved out their own corner of the genre with their signature Blŵgras sound.

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Taff Rapids yw’r band bluegrass cyffrous o Gaerdydd. Yn cyflwyno cymysgedd egnïol a hyderus o ganeuon gwreiddiol a chyfansoddiadau offerynol sy'n arddangos hunaniaeth y grŵp fel pŵerdy yn y byd cerddoriaeth gwerin.

Gyda chaneuon yn y Gymraeg a’r Saesneg, mae Taff Rapids yn cyfuno harmonïau clós â perfformiadau offerynol technegol, ac mae'n wir dweud bod y band - Darren Eedens, Siôn Russell Jones, Dave Grubb a Clem Saynor wedi gwneud eu marc ei hunain ar y genre, gan fathu'r term “Blŵgras” i ddisgrifio eu harddull a sain arbennig.