As part of its Future Folk series, Kings Place welcomes Cerys Hafana, a composer and multi-instrumentalist who mangles, mutates, and transforms traditional music.

Cerys Hafana 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.

Edyf is her second album, released in 2022, and was selected as one of The Guardian’s Top Ten folk albums of 2022. In January 2023, Cerys was also featured on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6 Music Highlights of 2022 New Year show.

This event will last approximately 2 hours, including an interval.

Reviews

‘Hafana explores resonances from the past that connect with the modern day in a contemporary, creative way. On her second album, Edyf (meaning “thread”) she uses her harp as a percussive, jagged-toothed tool… Hafana also sings movingly, her high voice like an indie-pop soprano shorn of its sweetness.’ – Jude Rogers, The Guardian

‘As demonstrated on her new single Tragwyddoldeb, she’s an adept shapeshifter, entwining tradition with direct and personal interpretations to create music that’s both progressive, profound and inspiring.’ – Alex Gallacher, Folk Radio UK

Future Folk is a new programme strand at Kings Place designed to showcase emerging artists creating and reshaping music inspired by folk traditions in new, progressive ways for contemporary audiences. It will initially feature five monthly shows running through the winter of 2023/24, putting these talented musicians centre stage in a time when breakthrough acts can easily become lost in the current economic realities of folk music programming.