Festival No.6 is all set to return this weekend, and once again there will be an intriguing collision as some of British music's finest bands take the stage in the bewitching surroundings of Portmeirion.
Held for the first time in 2012 – when Primal Scream, Spiritualized and New Order headlined – the event went on to scoop the Best New Festival prize at the UK Festival Awards, along with a boatload of glowing reviews. It's billed by organisers as 'A Festival Unlike Any Other, In A Place Like No Other', and for once, there's not a lot of hyperbole involved.
So, before everything gets weird and wonderful up in Gwynedd, here's our pick of the bands that will tread the boards this weekend.
Manic Street Preachers – Stage No.6, Sunday
The Manics will close proceedings this year, just a day before their highly-anticipated new album, 'Rewind The Film', hits the streets. It's going to be a fitting way for the curtain to come down, with the band having ascended to legendary status with grace and undimmed passion in recent years. As a band that has contributed so much to the musical landscape of Wales, they're in a prime position to wave off a festival based around just that.
My Bloody Valentine – Stage No.6, Saturday
Kevin Shields will roll out an ear-shatteringly loud welcome mat on Saturday night as My Bloody Valentine headline the second night of the festival. While they're still riding the wave created by their excellent comeback album, 'mb v', the quartet remain a relatively rare sight on the live circuit, so this is a prime opportunity to wade through some of the most influential guitar music of the last 30 years.
Johnny Marr – The I Stage, Sunday
Marr has taken to life as a solo performer like the proverbial duck to water, with 'The Messenger' a quite superb opening salvo of an album. He's been busy this summer on the festival circuit, including sets at both Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds, but Festival No.6 offers a chance to see the architect of the Smiths' iconic guitar sound in intimate, quirky surroundings. Ideal.
Neon Neon – Stage No.6, Friday
Gruff Rhys and Boom Bip returned with their second album under the Neon Neon moniker earlier this year, and 'Praxis Makes Perfect' was accompanied by more experimentation in the form of a collaboration with National Theatre Wales. The full stage show, which was produced alongside playwright Tim Price and director Wils Wilson, will land at Festival No.6 on Friday night and is set to be a major highlight of the weekend.
London Grammar – Stage No.6, Saturday
If we're talking future stars, then we're talking London Grammar. This is pop music for people with their brains engaged and hearts on their sleeves. Hannah Reid's huge vocals carry along a slate of arresting, soulful songs that will soon have this young trio plastered on every available surface. Get in now, while there's still room to move.
The Leisure Society – The I Stage, Saturday
The Leisure Society, whether you know it yet or not, are among the elite songwriters operating in the UK music scene. They've been nominated for two IvorNovello awards, but you don't need to know that to see just how good they are. Their folk-pop musings on 'The Sleeper', 'Into The Murky Water' and 'Alone Aboard The Ark', their latest album, will provide the perfect quiet before My Bloody Valentine's storm.
Money – The I Stage, Friday
The latest band to emerge from that most fertile of breeding grounds, Manchester, Money offer music that is both tremendously personal, and also grand in scope. They'll play the I Stage on Friday night and are another group on this year's bill who could soon be walking out to huge, adoring crowds. Their debut, 'The Shadow Of Heaven', arrived a few weeks ago and is brimming with intent beneath its sombre exterior.
Caitlin Rose – The Estuary Stage, Saturday
Caitlin Rose comes from Nashville and, suitably, plays a charming blend of Americana and country, having released her latest collection, 'The Stand In', earlier this year. She'll headline Saturday night on the Estuary Stage, which is nestled on the estuary of the River Dwyryd. Frankly, it's a bit of a looker.
Sweet Baboo – The I Stage, Saturday
A native of North Wales, Sweet Baboo, or Stephen Black, straddles the endearing divide between lilting indie and classic pop, with his latest album, 'Ships', a highlight of 2013 for fans of fine songwriting everywhere. He'll take to the I Stage on Saturday to deliver a set punctuated with quirky electronics, brass and crisp melodies.
Wire – The Estuary Stage, Sunday
Also taking to the picturesque Estuary Stage are the one and only Wire, who will roll out a selection of songs from almost 40 years on the very cutting edge of rock music. Having played an important role in the first wave of punk and also its studious brother, post-punk, the band proved that their creative juices are still as potent as ever with this year's 'Change Becomes Us', their 13th album.
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