City centre amphitheatre set for dramatic makeover with new stage canopy

Located opposite the LC and nestled between Swansea Arena and the National Waterfront Museum, the much-loved amphitheatre has already seen upgrades to its steps, handrails and mains power supply this summer.

Now, Swansea Council has announced plans to install a sail-style canopy over the stage and first six rows of seating, offering shelter for performers while preserving the venue’s open-air charm.

Work is scheduled to begin after the summer season wraps up, which includes the return of the Amplitude free music festival next month.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, Events and Tourism, said:

“This upgrade is part of our ongoing commitment to bring top-quality cultural, music and creative events to Swansea. It will turn heads and breathe new life into a space that’s already a key part of our city’s cultural infrastructure.”

The canopy is designed to extend the amphitheatre’s usability throughout the year, supporting a wider range of community and cultural events. It complements Swansea’s growing network of performance spaces, from Singleton Park and Grand Theatre to the state-of-the-art Swansea Arena.

Cllr Francis-Davies added:

“The amphitheatre is one of the city’s key assets — an iconic space that plays an important role in our public realm. These improvements will help ensure it remains vibrant, safe and welcoming for residents and visitors alike.”

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#Amphitheatre #arts #canopy #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #culture #LCSwansea #NationalWaterfrontMuseum #sailCanopy #Swansea #SwanseaArena #SwanseaCouncil

Wallace & Gromit voice star to make global convention debut at Swansea Comic Con

Swansea Comic Con – Autumn is set to welcome Ben Whitehead, the official voice of Wallace in Wallace & Gromit, for his first-ever worldwide convention appearance on Sunday, 26 October at LC Swansea.

Whitehead most recently voiced Wallace in Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, the BBC’s 2024 Christmas Day special, which reached 21.6 million viewers within 28 days — making it the most-watched animated programme in British television history, according to Aardman Animations.

Joining Whitehead is a stellar line-up of guests from Doctor Who, Star Wars, and cult British comedy:

• Paul Kasey, known for portraying the Cybermen, Ood, and other iconic monsters in Doctor Who, as well as roles in Star Wars: Rogue One, The Force Awakens, and Torchwood
• Christopher Ryan, best known as Mike from The Young Ones and as a Sontaran in Doctor Who
• Tim Dane Reid, suit performer and puppeteer behind creatures like the Dalek and “Space Zombie” in Peter Capaldi’s final season

Family-friendly attractions and immersive displays

The event promises a wide range of interactive zones, character meet-and-greets, and cosplay experiences for all ages. Highlights include:

• Appearances by Optimus Prime, Barricade, Bowser in his throne room, and Tigger
• Themed sets inspired by Stranger Things, Alien, Super Mario Bros., and Ghostbusters
• Lightsaber training, Star Wars target practice, and a dedicated quiet hour for accessibility
• A bustling marketplace of traders, artists, and cosplay creators

“Ben’s appearance is a huge moment not just for the event, but for fans across the UK,” said organisers. “To host something this exclusive in Swansea, alongside such a fantastic line-up of guests and interactive displays, makes this one our biggest and most exciting show yet.”

#BenWhitehead #DoctorWho #LCSwansea #StarWars #Swansea #SwanseaComicCon #WallaceGromit

Who’s Molly to headline free two-day Amplitude music festival in Swansea this August

Swansea’s summer music calendar is heating up with the return of Amplitude, the city’s free two-day music festival at the Swansea Amphitheatre, taking place on 16 and 17 August. Headlining this year’s event will be acclaimed Welsh indie rock band Who’s Molly, fresh from their support slot with McFly at Tunes on the Bay.

The Swansea-based trio—known for their anthemic sound and high-energy performances—will close out the Saturday night programme, capping off a weekend of live music, community celebration, and local talent.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Who’s Molly as our headline act,” said Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, Events, and Tourism at Swansea Council. “Bringing free live music to our city not only creates vibrant community spaces, but also plays a vital role in supporting our grassroots music scene and giving local talent a platform to shine.”

A packed weekend of music and more

Organised by Swansea Council, Amplitude will feature a diverse lineup of performers across genres—from indie and funk to folk and jazz. Saturday’s programme includes Daisy, Whilbur, Kizzy Crawford, and James T Morgan, while Sunday’s lineup features Guy Nicholas Challenger, Mali Haf, FreeFall.UK, Siglo 6, and closing act Disco Panther.

New for 2025, Amplitude will also partner with independent grassroots music venues across Swansea to host official afterparties on both Friday and Saturday nights, extending the festival’s reach and supporting the city’s night-time economy.

The Amphitheatre, located opposite the LC2, will also host free film screenings on Friday 16 August, including School of Rock and Bohemian Rhapsody, kicking off the weekend’s festivities.

Who’s Molly: Swansea’s rising stars

Formed in 2016, Who’s Molly has built a loyal following across South Wales and beyond. Their music has featured on BBC Radio 1, ITV, and Sky Sports, and they’ve performed at major festivals including Isle of Wight and Victorious. Their recent appearance at Tunes on the Bay alongside McFly drew praise for their dynamic stage presence and crowd engagement.

“We’re proud to be part of Swansea’s music scene and can’t wait to headline Amplitude,” said frontman Karl Morgan. “It’s a brilliant event that showcases the best of local talent and brings people together.”

How to attend

Amplitude is free to attend and open to all ages. No tickets are required, and attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets, sun hats, and plenty of enthusiasm. Food and drink stalls will be available on-site, and accessibility provisions will be in place.

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#Amphitheatre #AmplitudeMusicFestival #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #DiscoPanther #LCSwansea #McFly #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #WhoSMolly

Comic Convention returns to Swansea this Spring

Last year’s event saw thousands of fans come together to celebrate their love of movies, TV, comics, and gaming, and this year’s lineup is set to be even more spectacular. With 10 AM entry tickets nearly sold out, fans are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

A Day of Entertainment for Everyone:

Swansea Comic Con 2025 offers a wide variety of attractions, making it the perfect event for families, casual fans, and dedicated enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re looking to meet your favorite characters, step into the worlds of iconic films, or test your skills in the gaming zones, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

What to Expect at Swansea Comic Con 2025 (spring)

• Meet & Greets with Popular Characters – Fans will have the chance to meet Joy, Anxiety, and Anger from Inside Out, alongside many other beloved characters from film and television.
• Step Aboard Moana’s Boat – A stunning, life-sized replica of Moana’s boat will be on display, offering visitors a chance to experience the adventure firsthand.
• Real-Life Transformer – The incredible Hotrod Transformer will be making an appearance, bringing the world of robotics and animation to life.
• Retro Gaming Zone – A dedicated gaming area featuring classic consoles, arcade machines, and board games will be available for visitors of all ages.
• Movie Car Displays – Film fans can get up close to the time-traveling DeLorean from Back to the Future, as well as other famous vehicles from the big screen.
• Lightsaber Training – Star Wars enthusiasts can learn the ways of the Jedi in interactive lightsaber training sessions.
• Quieter Hour – A sensory-friendly session will be available to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the event in a comfortable environment.
• Cosplay & Competitions – Fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters, with cosplay competitions and meet-ups taking place throughout the day.
• Traders & Stalls – A variety of stalls will be selling comics, collectibles, memorabilia, artwork, and unique handmade items, making it the perfect place to pick up rare finds and gifts.

Book Your Tickets Before They’re Gone!

With last year’s event selling out completely and early entry tickets already close to selling out, attendees are urged to secure their tickets as soon as possible. Whether you’re a longtime comic con attendee or a first-time visitor, Swansea Comic Con 2025 promises to be an unforgettable day of entertainment, adventure, and nostalgia.

For tickets and more information, visit www.starsoftime.co.uk/swanseacomiccon.

[Lead image: Harry Burrows]

#LCSwansea #SwanseaComicCon

Exciting sports projects across Swansea and beyond backed with £3.5m funding

Allocated by Sport Wales, the funding will widen access to sports and physical activity among communities, create more artificial pitches in places that need them most, and also support our most talented athletes to achieve their dreams.

Several local authorities successfully applied for funding to help make leisure centres more energy efficient so that activities can remain affordable for communities to enjoy.

For example, running costs will be slashed at the LC in Swansea thanks to the installation of solar panels and LED lighting, while £175,226 worth of improvements will help conserve energy at many sites across Pembrokeshire.

Other popular facilities will benefit from reduced utility bills too. The Urdd will use £25,860 towards the installation of solar panels at the Llangrannog Residential Centre, while Queensway Stadium in Wrexham will install LED lighting which will improve the stadium’s energy efficiency and sustainability.

Innovative ideas to help more people become active have received significant funding. Pembrokeshire County Council’s plans for using Artificial Intelligence technology to create personalised workouts for all abilities will receive £99,630, while Welsh Boxing has received funding to introduce opportunities for Virtual Reality Boxing – ideal for giving people who have impairments a chance to enjoy the sport safely.

A proposal to resurface the athletics track at the Pembrokeshire Sports Village has been awarded £191,253, while Sport Wales has worked together with the Football Association of Wales, Welsh Rugby Union and Hoci Cymru to allocate funding towards a number of new artificial pitches in Port Talbot, Wrexham, Cwmbran, Colwyn Bay and Haverfordwest.

Hot on the heels of a successful Paris 2024 Games for Welsh athletes, more than half a million pounds is being invested into improving facilities and creating better sporting environments so that the country’s most talented sportsmen and women can fulfil their potential.

Projects awarded funding include the creation of a first-ever Centre of Excellence for Welsh Boxing, a series of upgrades at The Wales National Pool and the National Hockey Centre, improvements to the performance gym at the National Indoor Athletics Centre, and the installation of 2,000 more seats at the House of Sport venue in Cardiff – the home of performance netball in Wales.

The national pool in Swansea is set for upgrades (Credit: Sport Wales)

Sport Wales CEO Brian Davies speaking about the plans said:

“We received a high level of applications from local authorities, sport governing bodies and national partners for a share of this funding and prioritised projects that would make the biggest impact on making sport more inclusive for all as well as supporting our ambitions for nurturing talented athletes.

“Just as we did last year, we’re pleased to have been able to award a large amount of funding to help safeguard the long-term future of leisure facilities by making them more energy efficient and sustainable. These projects will also generate sizeable carbon savings, helping to support Wales’ climate change targets.”

Welsh Government Minister for Sport, Jack Sargeant, said:

“Through this funding – which marks a significant part of our £8m investment in Sport Wales this year – we are delivering on our commitments to promote equal access to sport, support our grassroot clubs and invest in new and world-class sporting facilities for our nation’s talented athletes.  

“From innovative tech-driven facilities to energy-efficient places, these projects will provide inclusive, accessible and sustainable opportunities for people across Wales to enjoy both the physical and mental health benefits of sport, and to hone their skills and talent to achieve their potential and emulate their sporting heroes.”

All of the grants have been made possible thanks to a total £8m worth of capital funding for 2024-25 which has been allocated to Sport Wales by the Welsh Government.

All grants are subject to certain terms and conditions being met. Some of the projects are already underway, while others are planned for the coming months.

A full list of the 37 projects to receive capital funding can be found at the Sport Wales website.

[Lead image: Sports Wales]

#LCSwansea #SportWales #VirtualReality #WalesNationalPool