THIS weekend Upper Cwmtwrch welcomes the Festival of the Celts featuring Bay City Rollers star Eric Faulkner and multi grammy nominee and Ireland’s favourite fiddle player Joe O’Donnell.

Joe O’Donnell is one of the finest electric violin players performing in the Celtic tradition.

He’s also widely acclaimed as a first class mandolin player, singer and composer.

In 1973, Joe joined East of Eden. He was featured on their hit album Anther Eden and toured Europe with the band.

The captivating sound of Joe O’Donnell’s Shkayla brings together the spirit of Celtic tradition and the dynamic grooves of modern rock and jazz.

Limerick-born Joe’s career has previously included work with former Steeleye Span members, Terry and Gay Woods, dynamic fiddle driven rock band East of Eden and the late, great Irish bluesman Rory Gallagher.

Singing songs in English and Gaelic and playing soaring fiddle melodies and improvisations, Joe is accompanied by a team of first-class musicians who really understand and do justice to the dynamic spirit of Celtic and rock music.

The festival is set to run this weekend from Saturday, August 23 to Sunday, August 24.

Supporting acts on the Saturday include Sicknote Steve, Glyn Swanborough and Nathan Trevett.

On the Sunday the festival welcomes Eric Faulkner.

The songwriter, guitarist and fiddle playing star from the Bay City Rollers has sold over 300 million records worldwide, heading the UK charts on six occasions and four times topping the US billboard.

He is now recognised as one of Scotland’s choice folk and roots artists singing the traditional Scots folk tales as well as the acoustic repertoire from his charting days, a great opportunity to see this multi instrumentalist at close hand.

He is supported from the Pontardawe folk band Bear Bones, who are well known on the South Wales folk music scene playing clubs, bars and festivals.

Their music and performances work well on the big stage, as well as at more intimate gigs.

John Howes (guitar & vocals) was a founder member of the anglo/welsh band Swansea Jack, which toured extensively and represented Wales at festivals in Brittany and Galicia. Huw Jones (melodeons & harmonica) has been involved with dance music for many years, initially working with Cwmdonkin, playing a broad range of tunes taken from celtic music traditions.

Also featuring on the Sunday are Son of Jack, Bear Bones, Tobias Robertson and the Cetic Dancer.

For more information on the festival visit greenvalleyarts.co.uk.

Tickets are priced at £7.50 per day, with camping available.

Tickets can be booked online or by ringing 0333 9000 919.