REDHANDED

Wales Millennium Centre’s Festival of Voice kicks off, ironically, at St David’s Hall on June 3 with a performance from Wales’ greatest living musical icon John Cale. Best known as a founding member of the Velvet Underground, Garnant-born Cale actually trained as a classical musician before meeting Lou Reed, Warhol, et al, in New York. So expect a varied and at times challenging performance, particularly his latest album M:FANS. Also appearing as part of the festival is the evergreen Ronnie Spector, June 10. The original ‘bad girl of rock’ is still going strong and looking great having started her career with the Ronettes back in the early ‘60s. 

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Further ahead, and by way of contrast, is Kevin Bloody Wilson (Nov 1). The comedy singer/songwriter will be enlightening us with his particular brand of earthy (ok, rude) Aussie humour set to music. To be fair, he is very funny, if cringeworthy. And now for something completely different. Every mum’s favourite scientist, the ever enthusiastic Professor Brian Cox will be taking audiences on a journey through time and space on November 16. What he won’t be doing is performing Things Can Only Get Better.

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If you want something less mentally taxing, also appearing in November are X Factor runner-up Rebecca Ferguson (Nov 14) with her critically acclaimed, Aretha Franklin inspired brand of soul, and The John Wilson Orchestra (Nov 23), a handpicked orchestra of virtuoso players delivering musical masterpieces from the movies, including Hello Dolly, Star Wars, Gigi and Funny Girl.

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All goes to show there’s plenty for everyone at St David’s Hall over the coming months. To find out what else is on, or to buy tickets, go to www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk