About

Jon Langford’s Men of Gwent at Elysium Gallery, Friday March 28th.
Jon Langford’s Men of Gwent, the celebrated band known for mixing local history with deeply personal reflections on life in Newport play their first ever date in Swansea at the Elysium Gallery on Friday March 28th.
Chicago based Jon Langford, best known for his work with The Mekons, The 3 Johns, Waco Brothers, and Four Lost Souls, formed the Men of Gwent in the 90s with old friends and family from his hometown.
The band have built a loyal following since their early days, which trace back to the early 90s when Jon, originally from Newport, moved to Chicago and began returning home for Christmas visits. Their first gigs were held at iconic Newport venues such as TJ's, the King Billy pub, and Le Pub, with the band slowly expanding to larger venues and festivals inc Glastonbury, Green Man, and the Isle of Wight. Their unique blend of folk, rock, and storytelling has set them apart as one of Wales' most inventive acts.
The band will be in Swansea for a ‘free’ one-off warm up show ahead of their appearance at the Laugharne Festival the following weekend.
The band's latest album, Lost on Land & Sea, released in November 2023 on Country Mile Records gained a four star review in Mojo magazine. The record captures the essence of the band's storytelling and songwriting prowess, which blends local lore with vivid, modern-day personal reflections. The album title itself is a play on Newport’s own crest and motto, "By Land and Sea."
Their previous albums, Legend of LL and President of Wales, which received critical acclaim and were featured in Huw Stephens’ Wales - 100 Records, continue to explore themes from Newport’s past, with songs about local figures, maritime history, and the region’s mysterious, mythical landscapes.
About Jon Langford
Jon Langford has been a stalwart of the UK and American alternative music scenes since 1977, when he co-founded The Mekons. A prolific songwriter, performer, and visual artist, Langford’s career spans decades of innovative and groundbreaking work, and his contributions to music remain influential worldwide.