Hafan Yr Afon, Newtown, Powys - Music Programme November and December 2026

Friday, October 16, 2026

The Hafan Yr Afon Arts Centre in Newtown has announced its music programme for the months of November and December 2026.

From;
https://www.hafanyrafon.com/

From;
https://www.hafanyrafon.com/event-details/n-ex-t-christoph-gallio-dominic-lash-mark-sanders
N-Ex-T: Christoph Gallio - Dominic Lash - Mark Sanders
Sun 01 Nov |  Hafan Yr Afon
A rare meeting of three leading improvisers. Raw, responsive and completely in the moment. N-Ex-T returns with Christoph Gallio, Dominic Lash and Mark Sanders.
Time & Location
01 Nov 2026, 18:00 – 20:30
Hafan Yr Afon, Hafan Yr Afon, Car Park, Back Ln, Newtown SY16 2NH, UK
About the event
Christoph Gallio soprano, alto & c-melody sax // Dominic Lash double bass // Mark Sanders drums & percussion
N-Ex-T: Christoph Gallio Trio (Support TBC)
Sunday 1 November 2026 | 6PM
Hafan Yr Afon, Newtown
Supported by Ty Cerdd
Tickets: £8/£10/£12 (Pay As You Feel)
N-Ex-T returns to Hafan Yr Afon with a powerful evening of international free improvisation, bringing together three leading voices from the European experimental scene.
Swiss saxophonist Christoph Gallio leads the trio. A deeply expressive and exploratory player, Gallio has worked across continents with figures such as Fred Frith and Irene Schweizer, and has performed at major festivals worldwide. His music moves fluidly between structure and spontaneity, shaped by decades at the forefront of improvisation.
Joining him is UK double bassist Dominic Lash, known for his intricate, responsive playing and collaborations with artists including Evan Parker and John Butcher.
On drums, Mark Sanders brings a vast sonic palette, having performed with leading figures such as Roscoe Mitchell and Wadada Leo Smith, and appearing at festivals across the globe.
Together, this trio offers a rare opportunity to experience world-class improvised music up close. Expect a set that is dynamic, unpredictable and deeply engaging.
Part of the N-Ex-T series at Hafan Yr Afon, supporting adventurous music in Mid Wales.

From;
https://www.hafanyrafon.com/event-details/plague-doctors-cure-all-live-at-hafan-yr-afon
Plague Doctors Cure All | Live at Hafan Yr Afon
Thu 05 Nov |  Hafan Yr Afon
Prepared to be cured from the improvised rock/fusion sounds of Plague Doctors Cure All - Heavy grooves with a touch of gothic darkness.
05 Nov 2026, 19:30 – 22:30
Hafan Yr Afon, Hafan Yr Afon, Car Park, Back Ln, Newtown SY16 2NH, UK
Plague Doctors Cure All | Live at Hafan Yr Afon
November 5th | 7:30PM | £10/£12
Remember, remember, the fifth of November,
The saxophone, bass and the groove.
With the Plague Doctors playing
And wild riffs escaping,
A Thursday to shake up your mood.
Hear ye, good people of Newtown! Upon the fifth day of November, Plague Doctors Cure All shall assemble at Hafan Yr Afon, bearing a most curious prescription: deep draughts of groove, fierce measures of rock, and a potent fusion of jazz and funk.
These physicians of sound bring no ordinary remedy. The sax shall cry, the guitar shall roar, and bass and drums shall stir thy feet to mischief. Each musical potion shall be brewed upon the instant — improvised before thine ears, with neither player nor patient knowing whither the next turn shall lead.
Art thou afflicted with dull Thursdays? Hath thy spirit need of a little thunder? Then gather thy companions and submit thyself to the groove.
Remember, remember, the fifth of November,
The Doctors, their rhythm and rock;
With grooves most contagious
And fusion outrageous,
Let none keep an eye on the clock!
https://plague-doctors.co.uk/

Jazz Jam Session
Thu 12 Nov |  Hafan Yr Afon
An open Jazz Jam in the cafe at Hafan Yr Afon.
Time & Location
12 Nov 2026, 19:00 – 22:00
Hafan Yr Afon, Hafan Yr Afon, Car Park, Back Ln, Newtown SY16 2NH, UK
Other dates
Thu 03 Dec, 19:00
About the event
An open Jazz Jam in the cafe at Hafan Yr Afon.
Equipment available:
Drums
Bass Amp
Mic and speakers
Songs will be mainly from the American Songbook and will be chosen by whoever is on the stage at that time.
All abilities and age groups welcome
Bar will be open
Free event (please consider a donation for running costs)
More Details
7pm - 10pm
Dates: 2026
November 12th
December 3rd

https://www.hafanyrafon.com/event-details/dj-cafe-take-over

Electronic Pioneers: DJ Cafe Take Over
Sat 14 Nov |  Hafan Yr Afon
Embrace the music electronic pioneers and this months DJ CAFE TAKEOVER

Time & Location
14 Nov 2026, 14:00 – 17:00
Hafan Yr Afon, Hafan Yr Afon, Car Park, Back Ln, Newtown SY16 2NH, UK
About the event
Electronic Pioneers:
This month the DJ’s push the frequencies and replay the moments of a time when the world first experienced the great electronic pioneers such as KRAFTWERK, BRIAN ENO, TANGERINE DREAM, GARY NUMAN, YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA - I could roll out the list forever on this one!
It’s also a little bit special as the hosts of this DJ Cafe come from my old stomping ground in Oswestry! Neil Philips and Jilly Hartshorn are both movers and shakers in their own right.
If something cool is happening in Oswestry, it’s bound to be one of these guys!
Come and check out their tribute to the electronic pioneers and this month’s DJ Cafe take over.
Saturday November 14th 2026
2pm to 5pm
Free entry.

From;
https://www.hafanyrafon.com/event-details/salthouse-share-the-light
SALTHOUSE: SHARE THE LIGHT
Sat 05 Dec |  Newtown
An evening of outstanding music from one of the leading bands on the Folk circuit!
Time & Location
05 Dec 2026, 19:30 – 22:00
Newtown, Hafan Yr Afon, Car Park, Back Ln, Newtown SY16 2NH, UK
About the event
LINE-UP:
Jenny Sturgeon - vocals, keys, guitar
Anna Hughes - vocals, fiddle, viola, tenor guitar
Ewan MacPherson - vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
“..warm, natural and utterly comfortable..” - Rootsworld
“Outstanding” - Irish Music Magazine
“A gentle lulling delight” - The Guardian
Salt House has been a mainstay on the folk scene for over a decade. The band’s reputation as thoughtful and innovative interpreters of both old ballads and contemporary
songs has been solidified with acclaimed album releases and extensive touring. Described as a “gentle, lulling delight” by The Guardian, Salt House blend heartfelt vocal and instrumental interplay, offering listeners a moment of reflection and connection. StreamAlbums
‘Share The Light’ is a joyful, peaceful and resonant journey of song and gathering, weaving together a spirit of community and light in the dark. For this tour the band bring
together songs for the winter that reflect both old ballads and fresh compositions, all delivered with a warmth that invites listeners into a shared space of connection and hope. Like a lantern in long nights the songs illuminate our common experience, reminding us that even when winter feels cold and dark, coming together can generate its own glow and quiet anticipation for the returning of the light.
Salt House’s sound is influenced by the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, Northumberland and Shetland, the respective homes of band members Ewan MacPherson (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars), Anna Hughes (vocals, fiddle, viola, tenor guitar) and Jenny Sturgeon (vocals, keys, guitar). They incorporate their natural
surroundings into the fabric of the music that speaks of a shared love of place, people, and evolving tradition.
More about the band members:
Jenny Sturgeon, who has a PhD in seabird ecology, is known for her introspective solo work and collaborations with Birdvox and Outliers. Through her creative output as a
sound artist and songwriter she explores themes of landscape and human connections. Her solo project ‘The Living Mountain’ based on the writing of Nan Shepherd was
released to wide critical acclaim.
Anna Hughes, a versatile multi-instrumentalist and composer, draws on her transitory life experiences to create music that reflects forgotten landscapes and the wonders of the natural world. Working across multi-disciplinary projects Anna is a sought after collaborator as well as working with duo project Watersmeet.
Ewan MacPherson, is a multi-instrumentalist and singer with over two decades of experience working at the forefront of the folk / trad music scene. He toured extensively
with Shooglenifty for thirteen years, was a member of Malinky and Nu-Nordic Quartet Fribo. His session work includes working with a variety of artists from the British Isles and beyond. His most recent solo project album ‘Hushman’ was described by KLOF Magazine as “…a little masterpiece of confidence and understatement. Wonderful.”