A multi-day love letter to music, this year’s Llais lineup boasts a collection of artists from a host of genres. Part of the Cardiff Music City Festival, it’s set to grace the Wales Millennium Centre in the second week of October. Neve Blue picks out some plums from the programme.
Welsh Music Prize 2026
Donald Gordon Theatre, Wed 7 Oct (tickets: from £8. Info: here)
Featuring music from across Wales, the Welsh Music Prize returns to Llais for another year of celebration. Cardiff’s Don Leisure was awarded the Welsh Music Prize in 2025, for his album Tyrchu Sain. A brilliant night of merriment and festivity, the Welsh Music Prize sees an awards show comprised of 15 shortlisted albums alongside live performances from the chosen artists, coming together to create an unmissable night of musical talent.
Laurie Anderson
Donald Gordon Theatre, Thurs 8 Oct (tickets: £24-£44. Info: here)
Making her first ever appearance in Wales, avant-garde artist, writer, director, vocalist and musician Laurie Anderson is due to grace Llais with Friends And Teachers, a collection of sonic portraits drawn from her upcoming literary work. This American institution of experimental practise, 79, remains a unique and questing voice, and in this grand setting will give the Cardiff audiences a performance of passion and intrigue.
Blind Boys Of Alabama / London African Gospel Choir
Donald Gordon Theatre, Fri 9 Oct (tickets: £24-£44. Info: here)
Having amassed six Grammy awards and a global profile across 70 years of musical endeavour, the Blind Boys Of Alabama bring tunes of soul and artistry to the Wales Millennium Centre. Joining them will be the London African Gospel Choir, who are going to be perform their own reimagining of Paul Simon’s megahit Graceland as that album celebrates its 40th birthday. Combining vibrance and passion, this transcendental gospel collaboration is set to be an unforgettable night.
Bess Atwell
Weston Studio, Fri 9 Oct (tickets: £20. Info: here)
With thousands of monthly listeners to her statistical name, Bess Atwell comes to Cardiff with a bag full of soft-focus, melodic music, heartrending lyricism and entrancing vocals carrying more than a trace of her stated inspirations from Bon Iver to Beach House. The Londoner has toured and gigged extensively with a varied crop of artists – The Paper Kites earlier this year; Ed Sheeran back in 2023 – and has an authentic air that fits perfectly into the broad Llais lineup.
Landless
Weston Studio, Sat 10 Oct (tickets: £12. Info: here)
Fusing the historical with the contemporary, Landless draw from tradition to perform folk songs both old and new. Since forming in 2013, the Irish quartet perform in mesmerising harmony alongside measured, pared-back instrumentals which allow their vocals to stay centre stage. Originally programmed for Llais 2025 before they were forced to postpone, this show may be a year overdue but it’s set to leave its audience in awe.
Cwmwl Tystion III: Empathy
Weston Studio, Sat 10 Oct (tickets: £20. Info: here)
Welsh trumpeter Tomos Williams has assembled a bill of talent for the third and final part of his Cwmwl Tystion project – the preceding episode, Riot!, featured on the 2023 bill. Performing alongside a selection of jazz talents, from Welsh vocalists Nia Lynn and Eadyth Crawford to New York bass virtuoso Melvin Gibbs, Williams’ return to the Llais lineup will explore the history of Wales through music.
Buena Vista All Stars + Orchestra Baobab
Donald Gordon Theatre, Sun 11 Oct (tickets: £29.50. Info: here)
With a rich history of musical tradition, Buena Vista All Stars have enchanted fans across the globe since they assumed the mantle of predecessors the Buena Vista Social Club. Their trad Cuban sounds will follow the magnetic Senegalese beats of Orchestra Baobab: what began as a house band in Dakar in the 70s exploded into an international success, touring the world with this particular night of rhythmic delight the latest passport stamp.
Llais, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Wed 7-Sun 11 Oct.
Info: here
words NEVE BLUE
