Pembrokeshire's Fishguard Jazz and Blues Festival celebrates its 22nd year with a wide range of events for all music enthusiasts. Learn about the festival's diverse offerings and memorable performances.
Pembrokeshire jazz festival bigger and better than ever after 22 years
There is a special transformation that takes place in a Pembrokeshire town in late August. The streets are filled with smiling faces and snatches of music burst out from its theatre, cafes, bars and restaurants.
AberJazz, Fishguard Jazz and Blues Festival jumps into life over the August bank holiday weekend in Fishguard and the surrounding area.
Now in its 22nd year, the festival offers something for everybody; seasoned jazz enthusiast, blues devotee, families and music lovers simply there to soak up the vibes.
This year’s festival had more than twenty ticketed events, many of them double bills, an extensive free Aberjazz Fringe in the local cafes and bars, free workshops led by talented performers, a vintage market and a New Orleans style parade, with a Welsh twist.
The evening gigs in Ffwrn were sell-outs, seeing a huge crowds get down and boogie, while the daytime gigs, usually a more mellow affair, packed audiences in. Particularly memorable were nights in Ffwrn were Dr Wilson’s Second Liners who bought 90s club classics to life with a frantic New Orleans style jazz band. The Aberjazz Party on the final night of the festival featured local band the Connections who delivered an energetic performance of floor-filling classics.
Gigs at Theatr Gwaun were similarly well-attended with few seats left in the house for either Ma Bessie’s Speakeasy or Seven Steps, the Music of Miles Davies. The music continued late into the night at Peppers which hosted Yetii, Cluster Funk and Groove Merchant among others. New venue the Skirmisher also proved a popular spot for both gigs and workshops.
Opening night saw multi-award winner Alice Armstrong take to the stage in Ffwrn, a testament to the standard of musicians the festival is attracting. “She is such a fantastic singer and has won back to back blues awards in the UK and Europe,” said festival organiser Paul Stonhold.
Published on 10 September 2025 by UKFG
