The Gentle Good

The Gentle Good is the moniker of Cardiff-based musician and songwriter Gareth Bonello. Known for his enchanting melodies, intricate guitar style and beautiful acoustic arrangements, Gareth is one of the foremost songwriters in Wales today.

The Gentle Good has released several highly acclaimed records, notably Ruins/Adfeilion, which won the Welsh Music prize in 2017 and Y Bardd Anfarwol (The Immortal Bard) which won the Welsh Language Album of the Year award in 2014.

A captivating soloist, Gareth has performed all over the world, from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC to the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. In recent years he has become a highly regarded musical collaborator, having worked extensively with artists from China and India. He is a founder member of the Khasi-Cymru Collective with artists from the Khasi communities indigenous to Northeast India. Their debut album Sai-thaiñ ki Sur (the Weaving of Voices) examined the cultural impact and colonial legacy of a Welsh mission in Northeast India and received widespread critical acclaim upon its release in 2021.

The Gentle Good’s latest release is a stripped-back exploration of traditional Welsh folk song performed on acoustic guitar, cello and vocal. Titled Galargan (Welsh for ‘Lament’) the album took form during the dark days of the pandemic, allowing Gareth’s talents as a solo singer and guitarist to take centre stage. Released in September 2023, Galargan has received rave reviews, including a rare 5 stars from The Guardian where it was listed in the top 5 folk albums of 2023.

Scottish singer-songwriter Samantha Whates is a hugely respected figure on the folk & roots scene and has enjoyed both critical acclaim and extensive radio play for her solo releases and as part of PicaPica (Rough Trade Records). Her beautifully crafted, heartfelt songs retain a strong affinity with her Scottish roots, cultivating a sound that is thoroughly contemporary, rooted in tradition, yet uniquely her own.

Danish Music Award winning folk artist Ida Wenøe is known for her introspective storytelling, often using nature as her tapestry. With a voice that's both ethereal and earthy, the Copenhagen-based singer-songwriter draws inspiration from the folk traditions of the 1960s and ‘70s, with her own contemporary take. Her music is characterised by subtle yet intricate guitar work, soaring vocal harmonies, and a lyrical depth that's both personal and universal.

After three critically acclaimed albums with respected indie labels Songcrafter Music (DK) and Integrity Records (UK), Ida has enjoyed support on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 4, Amazing Radio, BBC Wales, BBC Cambridge, BBC Suffolk, BBC Shropshire, BBC Radio Ulster & KEXP.

Wenøe & Whates forged a musical bond some years ago whilst attending a Chris Difford songwriting retreat and were reunited 2 years later whilst attending the Folk Alliance in Kansas City where they had both been selected as official showcasing artists.

Though touring as separate co-headliners, the pair regularly collaborate and join each other on stage to perform new arrangements for each other's favourite songs. This joy of collaboration developed into Whates becoming a full member of Ida’s band ‘The Wondrous Sea’ and have been enjoying touring scandinavia. They plan even more interplay in each other's sets for 2024. They will be playing songs from their 2022 collaborative EP ‘Turn’ and have a second EP on the way which will be available to buy at the shows!