This weekend is set to be another busy one in Cardiff as stars of music, comedy, and sport all pay a visit to the Welsh capital. There has been no shortage of high-profile events in the city lately with the likes of Diana Ross, Ed Sheeran, and Bonnie Tyler all drawing huge crowds either side of Wales' World Cup qualification heroics.
Wales' capital has built a reputation for holding huge events with Sheeran claiming the title of the biggest gig ever held in Wales during his recent three-night run at the Principality Stadium. Chaos on the roads following gigs and sporting events run the risk of spoiling this reputation, however, and you can read more about this here.
Nevertheless there is sure to be plenty of buzz around the city this weekend ahead of some much-anticipated events. You can get the latest What's On news sent straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletters.
Read more: The absolutely incredible menu at the Welsh restaurant just named best in the UK
The likes of Sterophonics, Sir Tom Jones, and comedian Rhod Gilbert will all be stopping by at venues across the capital getting huge crowds singing along and laughing in equal measure. There will be opportunities to experience something a bit different too with urban sports and Welsh language also being celebrated across the city.
Whatever you're into there's something for everyone in Cardiff this weekend. Here's our run-down of the biggest must-see events coming to the capital.
Stereophonics and Sir Tom Jones at the Principality Stadium
It's been a long wait for fans of the Welsh music greats but Stereophonics and Sir Tom Jones will finally be taking to the stage at the Principality Stadium this weekend. Both legendary acts will be performing in Cardiff on Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18.
The huge gigs were originally due to take place on December 17 and 18 last year but were postponed due to the rise of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. Promoters and the stadium made the decision to push back the shows as they believed that the gig would not be able to be compliant with Covid restrictions, issuing an apology to all due to attend.
Since the shows were postponed Llandudno's Catfish and the Bottlemen have announced they would no longer be performing at the Principality Stadium due to "due to unforeseen practical issues." However their slots will instead be filled by Newport rock band Feeder on the Friday night and by Gruff Rhys on the Saturday while Cardiff's own Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard will be performing on both nights.
Gates to the Principality Stadium open at 3pm. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard will kick off the show on both days at 3.40pm while on Friday Feeder will perform at 4.45pm and on Saturday Gruff Rhys kicks off at 4.45pm. On both days Sir Tom Jones will take to the stage at 6.15pm and Stereophonics will begin their set at 8pm. You can find everything you need to know about the highly-anticipated gigs here.
Tafwyl 2022 at Cardiff Castle
The annual festival of celebration of the Welsh language is back for 2022. The weekend-long Tafwyl Fair at Cardiff Castle on June 18 and 19 will feature performances and appearances from some of the biggest Welsh names in the arts, culture, and sport with Welsh-language music taking centre stage.
The free family-friendly festival will have a lively mix of music, literature, drama, comedy, art, and sports. There are also a number of mouth-watering food and drink options with a street food area delivering delicious food from local producers and eatery owners.
A fringe festival also runs alongside this weekend's fair with events being held in museums, libraries, cafés, bars, and arts venues across the capital. Hundreds of people gathered at Cardiff Castle for last year's event as live music returned for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began and you can read more about that here.
Urdd Urban Games in Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay will be taken over by skateboarders, BMX bikers and basketball players as a free urban sports event comes to town. The Urdd Urban Games will see Roald Dahl Plass transformed for the weekend as a number of competitions for children, young people, and professionals take place.
The Oval basin will play host to a variety of events, including wheelchair basketball, break dancing, BMX, skateboarding, and more across June 18 and 19. There will be taster sessions for other events like DJing, scootering, graffiti, parkour, and wheelchair motocross while there will also be participant competitions with cash prizes.
It's not all just about the sport however. An Urdd Urban Village, sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University, will feature food and drinks vendors, DJ trucks, and 'come and try' vendors for spectators and participants.
The games will be held from 10am to 6pm with competition registration on both days between 9am and 10am and an official launch event will be held at the Urdd’s Cardiff Bay Centre on Saturday between 10.30am and 11.30am. Everyone must register in advance for the weekend competitions through the website here.
Rhod Gilbert at the Motorpoint Arena
The Welsh comedian will return to Cardiff this weekend after taking a seven-year break from stand-up comedy. His appearance in the capital forms part of his tour The Book of John, which has also been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The show on Friday night (June 17) is billed as being "a little bit raw, very personal, and brutally honest". The show description adds: "No more lies, no more nonsense. This is Rhod, but different, the same, but not. It’s a show about hitting rock bottom, and just when you think things can’t get any worse, you meet a bloke… a bloke called John."
In April the former Never Mind the Buzzcocks presenter issued an apology to fans after being forced to reschedule his show in Swansea due to medical advice from his doctor. The Carmarthen-born comic was due to perform at Swansea Arena on Thursday, April 28, but postponed after suffering from a sore throat.
