Gŵyl ABERTEIFI LIVE Festival Announced for 2026 While Other Voices Cardigan Takes a Fallow Year
Posted: 14 May 2026
It has been announced today by the producing partnership that Other Voices Cardigan festival will take a fallow year for 2026.
The decision was released in a statement on behalf of the producing partnership:
‘Regrettably, this year’s Other Voices Cardigan will not take place due to a late and reduced funding decision. The late announcement has left the organisers with insufficient time to secure the alternative funding necessary for hosting an event of this scale. The Producing Partnership—comprising Mwldan, South Wind Blows, and Triongl—has collectively made the difficult decision to take a fallow year for 2026. During this time, we will continue to pursue a multi-year funding agreement to ensure Other Voices Cardigan can return to West Wales. We remain grateful to Welsh and Irish Governments, Cynnal y Cardi and our national broadcast partners BBC, S4C and RTÉ for supporting Other Voices to date, and we look forward to bringing Other Voices / Lleisiau Eraill back home to Aberteifi in the near future.’
In an effort to keep the spirit alive, ABERTEIFI LIVE a collaborative partnership initiative between local promoters - The Cellar, Mwldan, Small World Theatre, Fflach Cymunedol and GRAIN – born from Other Voices and the town’s rich musical heritage, have announced a placeholder event to keep momentum going.
Gŵyl ABEREIFI LIVE 2026 is scheduled for October 30th and 31st, a special event to ensure that the music and magic continues until Other Voices can return. The event will feature 40+ performances from both new talent and favourite artists from past Other Voices festivals. The two-day event will take place in five beautiful locations across town, including Mwldan, Small World Theatre, Bethania Chapel, GRAIN, and The Cellar, with late-night sessions including live sets and DJs at Mwldan into the early hours.
Philip King, Founder of Other Voices says:
‘We’re proud of what our partnership with Mwldan and Triongl has achieved in establishing Other Voices/Llesiau Eraill in Aberteifi. Our ambition is to be back in Cardigan again in 2027 for another cycle of Other Voices events, and in the meantime we wish our friends and colleagues in Cardigan every success with Gŵyl Aberteifi Live.’
Dilwyn Davies, CEO of Mwldan, says:
‘Since its inception, both the team and town have invested heavily into the event Other Voices Cardigan, which has become a firm and important fixture in the town’s calendar, and we remain fiercely committed to the festival’s future in Aberteifi. The festival has had a profoundly positive impact on the local community, economically and culturally, as providing a significant platform for a diverse line-up of artists and emerging talent from both sides of the Irish Sea. It has produced countless incredible performances and unforgettable experiences since its inception in 2019. It was almost unthinkable to have a year without it, so we’re delighted that the ABERTEIFI LIVE partnership should come together and create a smaller-scale event, but with the same passion and high-quality values, to keep the fire burning’.
Mair Bell, Managing Director of Small World Theatre, said:
‘More than ever people need connection and a chance to come together. Other Voices Cardigan provided that conduit for conversation and community, so we are excited to work together on Gŵyl ABERTEIFI LIVE.’
Steve Greenhalgh, who runs the legendary Cardigan venue The Cellar said:
‘Cardigan's independent spirit and rich musical history, along with its great venues, help us drive a thriving music community. Cardigan is a unique and beautiful place for artists to perform; hence, this year, in the absence of Other Voices Cardigan, we are delighted to be able to present an exciting alternative event for our community.’
Nico Dafydd, who leads Ffach Cymunedol, said:
‘Aberteifi is a music town. As a community company that works directly with the community creatively, we are excited to be part of the buzz of Gŵyl Aberteifi Live.’
Ben Washbrook (GRAIN Cardigan) & Emily Hutchinson (Bluestone Brewing Co.)
‘We are thrilled that GRAIN will be one of the host venues for Gŵyl ABERTEIFI LIVE 2026! Having the 'Other Voices' festival feature in our town has been an incredible experience, and we just weren't ready for that energy to be over! Cardigan is a special place and a fantastic hub for musicians, artists, and the community. Seeing everyone come together to share their passions for music and celebrate our local culture is something truly special.’
A limited number of advance tickets at a special price of £40 are available now via mwldan.co.uk; full-price tickets will be released thereafter at £55. A limited number of tickets for under-18s are on sale now at £15.
Gŵyl ABERTEIFI LIVE will take place with no public subsidy, and will be funded solely by ticket sales and community support, and festival organisers have worked to keep ticket prices as low as possible. Early ticket purchases are essential, as reduced venue capacity means tickets are expected to sell out quickly.
Sponsorship packages will also be available for local businesses and individuals wishing to support the festival. Interested parties can contact marketing@mwldan.co.uk for further details.