For more than a decade, Cowbridge Music Festival has been bringing world-class music to the heart of the market town, offering audiences a chance to explore classical, jazz and folk in a way that feels fresh, inclusive and welcoming. Spread across intimate venues, it opens the doors to people of all ages, capturing the local spirit of Cowbridge while celebrating global talent.
I was lucky enough to attend two events on the final weekend of the festival, Ben Tarlton’s Coffee Concert and Welsh of the West End’s Musical Theatre Selections. These contrasting events perfectly showcased the festival’s range, from intimate chamber music to the vibrancy of musical theatre, showing how the festival truly offers something for everyone.
Coffee Concert: Ben Tarlton
The moment we stepped into the Holy Cross Church, we were struck by both its beauty and its warmth. The space was filled by a lively crowd, with homemade cakes and fresh coffee on offer. Despite not being from the area, I felt instantly at home as I began chatting to some of the locals.
I’ve always been intrigued by classical music, yet I had never had the chance to hear it performed live. That curiosity made this solo cello performance all the more exciting, and from our front-row seats it felt like the perfect way to begin exploring the genre.
As soon as Ben opened his recital with Bach’s iconic First Cello Suite, I was completely mesmerised by his skill. Not only did he possess flawless technique, but what made the performance so moving was the raw passion and emotion he poured into the music. It was impossible not to be transfixed by his playing, and at times I felt swept away, transported by the sound that filled the church.
The glow of the stained-glass windows made the setting even more special, while the church’s acoustics amplified each note and gave the performance added power. Alongside Bach, Ben introduced more contemporary works, including Eloise Gynn’s Quietening, which offered a striking contrast in style and mood. Watching him perform without a single music sheet in sight was astonishing and only deepened the sense of intimacy and connection between performer and audience.
The concert seemed to pass by almost too quickly, leaving me eager to discover more incredible musicians and a little sad that it marked the final weekend of the festival. As a first step into classical music, it couldn’t have been more perfect, and I would recommend these short concerts to anyone curious about the genre but unsure where to start. What truly made the experience unforgettable though, were the people. From the warm welcome to the shared passion in the room, we left feeling not only fortunate to have witnessed such talent, but also grateful to have met some of the loveliest people brought together by music.
Welsh of the West End
As a huge musical theatre fan, I couldn’t wait to see Welsh of the West End take to the stage at Cowbridge Comprehensive School’s Theatre. There wasn’t an empty seat as the excited audience filled the venue, greeted warmly at the door with drinks and treats.
From the moment the quartet opened with A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman, they lit up the room with their incredible harmonies and proved why the group reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. With every song infused with passion and each interval filled with engaging, witty commentary, each performer captivated the audience and demonstrated true star quality. The setlist offered variety for all ages, from the drama of Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables to the playful fun of Frozen and The Little Mermaid.
What truly set this performance apart, however, was the bilingualism woven seamlessly throughout, with Welsh used both in song and commentary. A particular highlight was the Welsh medley featuring Yma O Hyd and Calon Lân, which became even more powerful in the encore as the entire audience joined in, their voices united in the very best of Welsh anthems. The afternoon was a celebration of both the finest Welsh voices and culture, leaving me feeling deeply proud of my country.
Summary
Overall, both performances were spectacular and exceeded every expectation. The Friends of Cowbridge Music Festival were some of the kindest and attentive people I have ever met, going out of their way to ensure we had the best possible experience. I didn’t just fall in love with the music, but with the welcoming, vibrant community that surrounds it. I’m already eagerly looking forward to the 2026 schedule and plan to attend even more events – this is truly a festival not to be missed!
