Rhian Benson Rhian Benson who plays the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend on Sunday, August 1, was always going to be a singer - not only do her initials stand for R?n?B but her mother also hails from the land of song.
And the singer, songwriter and musician who has been described by USA Today as ?one of today?s brightest new talents?, ?producing mould-breaking music straight from the soul? will be taking advantage of her performance at the Big Weekend to revisit the land where her mother was born.
Singer, songwriter and musician Rhian is enjoying international success with a sensuous fusion of R?n?B, jazz, soul, reggae and blues. As well as having a Welsh mother Rhian?s father, an Ashanti naval officer is a gifted guitarist.
Ghana-born Rhian set out on her musical career when she left her studies at Harvard to look after her mother who was diagnosed with cancer, and was discovered in London by Los Angeles-based label DKG Music.
Her debut album ?Gold Coast? (the historic name of her birthplace) was released last year, with the help of legendary Welsh bass player Pino Palladino who said at the time: ?there are very few of us Welshies that have got the funk, so we?ve got to stick together?. She has toured the US, hosts a series on Black Entertainment Television, and even performed alongside Charlotte Church at MTV?s Base Lounge.
Blues and Soul magazine has called Rhian an ?amazing new talent?, with the Daily Telegraph saying ??the smart money is on Rhian Benson becoming a global star?. Billboard magazine raves about her, and suggests her name be pronounced as ?Ree-Ann?.
Rhian joins the Fun Lovin Criminals; Brand New Heavies and Bad Manners on the bill of the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend ? the finale to the Cardiff Festival and the UK?s largest free live open-air event that attracts 250,000 people over three days to the lawns of City Hall.
This year?s event is sponsored by major Welsh business the Admiral Group and boasts a collection of big name headline acts including the Fun Lovin? Criminals ? the dangerous New Yorkers; the rare groove of double platinum sellers the Brand New Heavies, best known for soul dance hits like ?Dream on Dreamer?, and ?Back to Love?; 80s icon Howard Jones who has enjoyed platinum success on both sides of the Atlantic for songs like ?What is Love?, and ?Like to Get to Know You Well; the cockney singalong of Chas ?n? Dave; and Bad Manners with the legendary figure of Buster Bloodvessel.
The Big Weekend kicks off with an 80s night on Friday as the Showmen?s Guild of South Wales bring together the finest selection of white knuckle rides alongside traditional family entertainment in Wales? largest traveling funfair.
The Hard Rock Caf? Big Stage music carries on through the weekend. Between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday, Red Dragon FM take to the stage with top 40 hit acts and a showcase for tomorrow?s brightest stars. The live action is complemented throughout by the Ster Century Big Screen and there is a firework finale each night.
For the night owls there is an aftershow party by the great Cardiff event organisers Time Flies on Saturday from 9.30pm ? 4am at the University Student?s Union around the corner in Park Place. And the Hard Rock Caf? is hosting three nights of aftershow gigs with Celtic Pride on Thursday; Sugarline on Friday; and Dark Chunk on Saturday.
The full line-up on the Hard Rock Caf? Big Stage is:
Friday July 30 7-11pm (Fairground 5-11pm)
Howard Jones 9.50 ? 10.35
Chas ?n? Dave 8.40 ? 9.25
Bad Manners 7.30 ? 8.15
Saturday July 31 1-11pm (Fairground noon-11pm)
Red Dragon FM 2-4pm
The Fun Lovin? Crims9.30 ? 10.30
The Delays 8.15 ? 9.00
Zoot Woman 7.00 ? 7.45
Speedway 5.45 ? 6.30
Dynamo Dresden 4.30 ? 5.15
Sunday August 11-11pm (Fairground noon-11pm)
The Brand New Heavies 9.15 ? 10.30
Rhian Benson 7.45 ? 8.45
Carameloson 6.15 ? 7.15
The Jews Brothers 4.45 ? 5.45
D?booga 3.15 ? 4.15
Cherry Falls 2.00 ? 2.45
