The first Llantwit Major Summer Sounds Music Festival ended on Sunday afternoon and was proclaimed by all who attended as an outstanding success. SMILE, who organised the event, are delighted with the numbers who came to the precinct to enjoy all the free music and those who bought tickets for the 2 evening concerts at the Comprehensive school.

Four bands from Major Music, G.I.R.L., Hexafier, A New Day and Certain Call, got Friday evening off to a flying start and entertained everyone with their talent and enthusiasm. A real credit to Llantwit's youth.  The headline act, 4th Street Traffic, impressed everyone and showed why they were winners of Red Dragon's Battle of the Bands. All that plus being charming and spending time to be photographed and provide autographs to their fans after the gig.

Saturday morning bright and early, SMILE setup the precinct ready for the bands to perform and by 11.00 all was ready. St. Illtyd's bell ringers commenced proceedings and then we were off! Samba Galez, New Druids, Emilie Rees and MABON played throughout the day and The Splott Brothers provided street entertainment. The crowds built up during the day and, even though rained on for the last hour, they stayed and enjoyed all the entertainment and the food and drink provided by Illtyds 216.

Then we were off to the Comprehensive school to get ready for the evening concert. All was made ready and people poured in to enjoy the soul band Madassa. It was a tremendous evening - people up and dancing from the word go and really enjoying themselves. Madassa raised the roof!

Sunday morning's weather was dreary and we feared more rain but we need not have worried. The sun came out and so did the crowds - even more folk poured into the precinct to enjoy music by The Victoriana Jazz band, Emilie Rees and The Amigos and Illtyd 216's refreshments. It was a perfect summer afternoon! To round off and bring the Summer Sounds Music Festival to a really rousing finish, local heroes, The Lounge Lizards who had helped tirelessly throughout the weekend with the sound systems and helping to set up the bands, made a surprise guest appearance.  Their enthusiastic and lively performance delighted the crowd and even brought the weary SMILE committee to their feet!!!

A perfect end to a wonderful weekend.

SMILE is already planning a bigger and better Summer Sounds for next year!

There is a very long list of people who have helped SMILE to bring Summer Sounds to fruition. Special thanks to Paul Deere for all his work setting up lighting at the school and  the electrical supply at the precinct; to Jane Deere and Gareth Price  for all their help at the school; to Rob Deere for lighting the performances at the school; to Terri and Kristie Roberts and Carys for taking the money at the door; to Luke for selling raffle tickets; to Hayley, Julie, Cath, Kristie and friends for manning the bar; to Rhodri for the trailer/stage; to Robin Sloan of Robin's Nest for allowing us the use of his store and providing much-needed tea and coffee on Sunday morning to the flagging SMILE crew; to Mirror Image for allowing us storage space; to Major Music and The Lounge Lizards for all their technical help; to McClays for all their efforts; to all the local businesses who donated raffle prizes; to Gareth and Mike of St John's Ambulance for their presence throughout a long weekend; to Mr Ian Hunt of Filco for allowing SMILE to hold the festival on the precinct.

Sally Bagstaff