We can't imagine a more perfect fit for Gregynog's passion for arts and nature than the legendary singer and song writer Sam Lee.

March 2024 saw the release of Sam Lee’s fourth studio album, ‘Songdreaming’, the follow up to 2020’s ‘Old Wow’, an album variously described as ‘A dazzling fusion of nature and song’ (The Observer) and a ‘sublime album that demands to be heard in the 21st century’ (The Daily Telegraph) amidst a host of critical acclaim.

‘Songdreaming’ represents the latest stage in the development of Sam Lee’s music, from its roots in traditional folk song to a new way of imagining and performing these old songs, making them relevant for a modern audience.

The album sees Sam continue his work with producer Bernard Butler and long term collaborator, arranger and composer James Keay in creating an album rich in musicality and invention, building on the backbone of double bass, percussion and violin with a world of instrumentation including the Arabic Qanoon, Swedish Nyckelharpa and more. In doing so, Sam delivers an album that ranges from more immediately identifiable acoustic songs to drone soundscapes to the electric guitar and gospel choir propelled lead single, ‘Meeting Is A Pleasant Place’ which features the recording debut of Trans Voices, a London based transgender choir.
With a lyrical focus on the perilous state of the natural world that has informed Sam’s work since his debut, ‘Songdreaming’ represents the most expansive and fully realised Sam Lee album to date, capable of switching from the beautiful balladry of ‘Sweet Girl McRee’ to the gospel tinges of ‘Leaves Of Life’ and the whiteout noise close of album opener ‘Bushes and Briars’. It is a full expression of Sam Lee as an artist and of his relationship to his muse, the natural world.

Join Sam Lee, Erland Cooper and Alice Boyd for a special evening celebrating music and nature.

The Coudenberg Palace presents the now fourth edition of the Coudenberg Sound Box Fest, where music meets history. Artists from Brussels and beyond will give their best and enchant their audiences in this unique archaeological site in the heart of Europe.

The four double concerts will celebrate consort music in all its forms. The programme includes old tunes from the Shakespeare era to modern and contemporary American sounds, including works by Leonard Bernstein and Viet Cuong. Along the way, you will also be treated to French Baroque jewels by Jean de Sainte-Colombe and timeless classics such as Bach's Goldberg Variations and Satie's Gymnopédies, all reimagined and reshaped by innovative artists.

Sun 1 Dec 18.30

BOUND TO NOTHING - Conversation with good Folk

Sam Lee (UK) & Noxwode (UK)

Music by W. Byrd, J. Dowland, C. Gricmanis, S. Lee et al.

Sam Lee, voice & Robert Dimbleby, keyboards

Noxwode (Grace Schott-Deuchar, recorder, Conor Gricmanis, Baroque violin, Miriam Nohl, viola da gamba, James Batty, harpsichord)

Enjoy intimate performances from folk singer and nature campaigner Sam Lee, accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Robert Dimbleby whose songs and ancient tales will transport you to a world of old. Join in evening fireside rhythm and song jams from his latest album songdreaming.

Noxwode, led by British/Latvian violinist Conor Gricmanis comes back to the stage of CSBF with an original programme of Baroque and Folk music which wishes to connect its audience with its British motherland. The young musicians of Noxwode will erase boundaries between different genres passing from English music from the Shakespearean age such as Byrd and Dowland’s compositions for violin and continuo to contemporary folk music arranged for Baroque strings.

This concert is 1 of 4 - each on Sunday evenings from 18:30. They will take place on 24/11, 1/12, 8/12 and 15/12. More info on: https://coudenberg.brussels/csbf

INGRESSO GRATUITO FINO A ESAURIMENTO POSTI (FREE GIG)

HINK is een festival dat bij elke editie kiest voor een actuele invalshoek. Zo belichtte de line-up van vorig jaar de postpunk-stroming en is er dit jaar speciale aandacht voor artiesten die in navolging van acts als LANKUM en Lisa O’Neill folk en roots toevoegen aan spannende alternatieve muziek. De Grote Zaal van PAARD wordt voor deze gelegenheid omgebouwd tot een ongewijde tempel waarin speciaal vormgegeven optredens van De Mannenbroeders (Broeder Dieleman en Amen Ra-zanger Colin van Eekhout), de Engelse actrice/muzikante Keeley Forsyth en de eveneens Engelse zanger/schrijver/radiomaker/activist Sam Lee. Met nog negen optredens in de andere zalen in en rondom PAARD biedt HINK een avontuurlijke zondagse trip door het alternative folk-bos.

Join Sam on the following dates:

Saturday 28th December
Arbour Stage 10.45am-11.45am
Luna Stage 7.30pm-8.20pm

Sunday 29th December
Luna Stage 4.20pm-5.10pm

Monday 30th December
Luna Stage 2.50pm-3.40pm

Tuesday 31st December
Amphigrande Stage 12.30pm-1.30pm
Luna Stage 5.50pm-6.40pm

A collaborative concert as part of Sam Lee’s Earth Unwrapped residency, featuring tree wisdom, poems, anecdotes and folk songs inspired by trees, which will invoke the cultural heritage this species holds within our culture and society. Featuring guest musicians, Jonathan Drori, The Seed Sisters and more, alongside Sam Lee himself.

Kings Place Artist in Residence Sam Lee brings his latest album ‘Songdreaming’ to the Hall One stage, part of his Meeting is a Pleasant Place curation.

After selling out 2 Palladium dates in 90 minutes and five nights at London's Royal Albert Hall, the longest headline run ever by a pianist at the historic venue, Ludovico Einaudi announces three further dates for July 2025 across the UK and Ireland.

The opening act will be Asso at the London Palladium and Sam Lee at all 2025.

Ludovico Einaudi's new album, The Summer Portraits will released at the end of January 2025.

After selling out 2 Palladium dates in 90 minutes and five nights at London's Royal Albert Hall, the longest headline run ever by a pianist at the historic venue, Ludovico Einaudi announces three further dates for July 2025 across the UK and Ireland.

The opening act will be Asso at the London Palladium and Sam Lee at all 2025.

Ludovico Einaudi's new album, The Summer Portraits will released at the end of January 2025.

After selling out 2 Palladium dates in 90 minutes and five nights at London's Royal Albert Hall, the longest headline run ever by a pianist at the historic venue, Ludovico Einaudi announces three further dates for July 2025 across the UK and Ireland.

The opening act will be Asso at the London Palladium and Sam Lee at all 2025.

Ludovico Einaudi's new album, The Summer Portraits will released at the end of January 2025.

After selling out 2 Palladium dates in 90 minutes and five nights at London's Royal Albert Hall, the longest headline run ever by a pianist at the historic venue, Ludovico Einaudi announces three further dates for July 2025 across the UK and Ireland.

The opening act will be Asso at the London Palladium and Sam Lee at all 2025.

Ludovico Einaudi's new album, The Summer Portraits will released at the end of January 2025.

After selling out 2 Palladium dates in 90 minutes and five nights at London's Royal Albert Hall, the longest headline run ever by a pianist at the historic venue, Ludovico Einaudi announces three further dates for July 2025 across the UK and Ireland.

The opening act will be Asso at the London Palladium and Sam Lee at all 2025.

Ludovico Einaudi's new album, The Summer Portraits will released at the end of January 2025.

After selling out 2 Palladium dates in 90 minutes and five nights at London's Royal Albert Hall, the longest headline run ever by a pianist at the historic venue, Ludovico Einaudi announces three further dates for July 2025 across the UK and Ireland.

The opening act will be Asso at the London Palladium and Sam Lee at all 2025.

Ludovico Einaudi's new album, The Summer Portraits will released at the end of January 2025.

After selling out 2 Palladium dates in 90 minutes and five nights at London's Royal Albert Hall, the longest headline run ever by a pianist at the historic venue, Ludovico Einaudi announces three further dates for July 2025 across the UK and Ireland.

The opening act will be Asso at the London Palladium and Sam Lee at all 2025.

Ludovico Einaudi's new album, The Summer Portraits will released at the end of January 2025.

After selling out 2 Palladium dates in 90 minutes and five nights at London's Royal Albert Hall, the longest headline run ever by a pianist at the historic venue, Ludovico Einaudi announces three further dates for July 2025 across the UK and Ireland.

The opening act will be Asso at the London Palladium and Sam Lee at all 2025.

Ludovico Einaudi's new album, The Summer Portraits will released at the end of January 2025.

Historically, a successful harvest was celebrated with a delicious meal of local meats, vegetables, puddings, beer and ale, accompanied by singing, drinking games and community spirit. This would all have taken place before St Michael’s Mass, or Michaelmas, on the 29th September.

Sam Lee and Kings Place present their own harvest celebration, bringing in specialist speakers and musicians to present their thoughts and workshop on the idea of the important of local produce, seasonal growing and community.