Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Virtuosic, otherworldly alt-folk from one of the world’s only Welsh triple harpists: Cerys Hafana transmutes traditional Celtic ballads into haunting sonic tapestries, full of cinematic scope and experimental textures. Ancient roots with modern resonance FFO: Lankum, Gwenno, Lisa Knapp, This Is The Kit."
Join the Headfirst mailing list for our unbiased recommendations.
A gig held at Strange Brew on Sunday 23rd March. The event starts at 19:00.
Ear Trumpet Presents: Cerys Hafana. Standing show (with some unreserved seats) at Strange Brew, 10-12 Fairfax St, BS1 3DB - Ages 14+ (Under 18's to be accompanied by a responsible adult)
Doors 7:00pm Show 8:00pm
Cerys Hafana is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who mangles, mutates, and transforms traditional music. She explores the creative possibilities and unique qualities of the triple harp, and is also interested in found sounds, archival materials, and electronic processing. She comes from Machynlleth, Wales, where rivers and roads meet on the way to the sea.
Cerys has won over audiences from Green Man to the Eisteddfod and from BBC 6 Music Festival to Celtic Connections with her magical, progressive sound.
Her second album, Edyf, drew inspiration from material found in the Welsh National Library’s online archive, including fragments of Psalm tunes, hymns about doomsday, and philosophical musings on the length of eternity, along with some original compositions. It was selected as one of The Guardian’s Top Ten Folk Albums of 2022.
Cerys’ latest EP, The Bitter, released earlier in 2024, is an innovative exploration of some dark English and Scottish ballads.
“Eerie folk fusion and creative use of harp and found sounds. Innovation abounds… likely to take a song that we all know so well and tilt it to one side.”
— Tradfolk
"…she’s an adept shapeshifter, entwining tradition with direct and personal interpretations to create music that’s both progressive, profound, and inspiring."
— Alex Gallagher, Folk Radio UK
"Hafana explores resonances from the past that connect with the modern day in a contemporary, creative way... she uses her harp as a percussive, jagged-toothed tool… sings movingly, her high voice like an indie-pop soprano shorn of its sweetness."
— Jude Rogers, The Guardian
eartrumpet
Entry requirements: 14+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio
Doors 7:00pm Show 8:00pm
Cerys Hafana is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who mangles, mutates, and transforms traditional music. She explores the creative possibilities and unique qualities of the triple harp, and is also interested in found sounds, archival materials, and electronic processing. She comes from Machynlleth, Wales, where rivers and roads meet on the way to the sea.
Cerys has won over audiences from Green Man to the Eisteddfod and from BBC 6 Music Festival to Celtic Connections with her magical, progressive sound.
Her second album, Edyf, drew inspiration from material found in the Welsh National Library’s online archive, including fragments of Psalm tunes, hymns about doomsday, and philosophical musings on the length of eternity, along with some original compositions. It was selected as one of The Guardian’s Top Ten Folk Albums of 2022.
Cerys’ latest EP, The Bitter, released earlier in 2024, is an innovative exploration of some dark English and Scottish ballads.
“Eerie folk fusion and creative use of harp and found sounds. Innovation abounds… likely to take a song that we all know so well and tilt it to one side.”
— Tradfolk
"…she’s an adept shapeshifter, entwining tradition with direct and personal interpretations to create music that’s both progressive, profound, and inspiring."
— Alex Gallagher, Folk Radio UK
"Hafana explores resonances from the past that connect with the modern day in a contemporary, creative way... she uses her harp as a percussive, jagged-toothed tool… sings movingly, her high voice like an indie-pop soprano shorn of its sweetness."
— Jude Rogers, The Guardian
eartrumpet
Entry requirements: 14+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio
Other folk gigs
