The Pop Factory (
TPF) is a music and media complex in
PorthPorth is a town and a community in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, lying in the Rhondda Valley and is regarded as the gateway to the Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach valleys because both valleys meet at Porth...
,
RhonddaRhondda , or the Rhondda Valley , is a former coal mining valley in Wales, formerly a local government district, consisting of 16 communities built around the River Rhondda. The valley is made up of two valleys, the larger Rhondda Fawr valley and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley...
,
South WalesSouth Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
. It has given its name to a
WelshWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom, bordered by England to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It is also an elective region of the European Union...
TV show.
It was founded by Welsh-speaking entrepreneurs Emyr Afan and his wife Mair Afan.
The Pop Factory is a converted soft drinks
factoryA factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where workers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
, formerly belonging to the "Welsh Hills" brand. the pop factory is now situated in the Thomas and Evans building which is famous all around the rhondda valleys and the two men Thomas and Evand, both buried within the rhondda are famous for owning the bronwydd house and porth park.
The Pop Factory (
TPF) is a music and media complex in
PorthPorth is a town and a community in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, lying in the Rhondda Valley and is regarded as the gateway to the Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach valleys because both valleys meet at Porth...
,
RhonddaRhondda , or the Rhondda Valley , is a former coal mining valley in Wales, formerly a local government district, consisting of 16 communities built around the River Rhondda. The valley is made up of two valleys, the larger Rhondda Fawr valley and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley...
,
South WalesSouth Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
. It has given its name to a
WelshWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom, bordered by England to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It is also an elective region of the European Union...
TV show.
It was founded by Welsh-speaking entrepreneurs Emyr Afan and his wife Mair Afan.
The Pop Factory is a converted soft drinks
factoryA factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where workers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
, formerly belonging to the "Welsh Hills" brand. the pop factory is now situated in the Thomas and Evans building which is famous all around the rhondda valleys and the two men Thomas and Evand, both buried within the rhondda are famous for owning the bronwydd house and porth park. It was officially opened by
Tom JonesSir Thomas Jones Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer. Since 1965, Jones has sold over 100 million records.-Early life:...
in 2000, by smashing a bottle of
dandelion and burdockDandelion and burdock is a traditional British soft drink, drunk in the British Isles since about 1265. Traditionally it is made from fermented dandelion and burdock roots, and is naturally fizzy.- History :...
against its walls.
The weekly shows are broadcast by
ITVITV is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters, set up under the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC. ITV is the oldest commercial television network in the UK...
. The show has been presented by
Steve JonesStephen Ashton "Steve" Jones is a Welsh television presenter, actor and model. He is most well known for presenting Channel 4's T4 strand of programmes, mostly co-presenting with Miquita Oliver....
. There is also a
Welsh languageWelsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of Celtic spoken natively in Wales, in England by some along the Welsh border and in the Welsh immigrant colony in the Chubut Valley in Argentine Patagonia....
show,
Sesiwn Hwyr, broadcast by
S4CS4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Welsh television channel broadcast from the capital, Cardiff. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, it is the fourth oldest British terrestrial television channel S4C , currently...
.
Pop Factory Awards
Every year, TPF hosts an
award ceremonyAn awards ceremony is an event where an award, of any type, is given to a person or people. Ceremonies are usually held at night, with guests wearing formal gowns and suits. They also usually have a host, with many categories for the awards....
, which in 2005 was focused mainly on the Welsh music scene possibly due to the absence of The Welsh Music Awards. This did not happen in its entirety in 2006 but went back to its full Welsh format in 2007. The 2007 event was also launched in conjunction with XFM Wales.
2007
- Best live act: Funeral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend are a Welsh rock band, from Bridgend, Wales, UK, formed in 2001. They have released four studio albums, five EPs, fifteen singles, one DVD, and one 'best of' compilation.-Formation and EPs :...
- Best live event: The Full Ponty
The Full Ponty is a music festival first held in Pontypridd on the 27-28 May, 2006. The name Full Ponty is a pun on Full Monty, and Ponty, the local nickname of the town...
- Rock 'n' roll excess award: Dirty Sanchez
Dirty Sanchez is the act of smearing fecal matter or felch on the upper lip of a partner during various types of anal sex Some experts claim an equivalent term Stinky Hitler or Frosty Mustache.When a pen is incorporated, it is commonly referred to as a Shitty Sheynin.- Veracity :There are...
- Best new act: Kids in Glass Houses
Kids in Glass Houses are a five-piece pop punk band from the surrounding valleys of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Boasting influences ranging from the classic pop of The Police, Michael Jackson, Prince, and The Beach Boys to the British rock of Stereophonics, Blur and Pulp to the hardcore/punk...
- Best album: Stereophonics
Stereophonics are a Welsh rock band that formed in 1992 in Cwmaman. Currently comprising lead vocalist and guitarist Kelly Jones, bassist and backing vocalist Richard Jones, drummer Javier Weyler, guitarist and backing vocalist Adam Zindani and touring member Tony Kirkham , and originally included...
: Pull the PinPull the Pin is the sixth studio album by Stereophonics, released in the UK on 15 October 2007. A Stereophonics newsletter released the "Pull the Pin" album artwork to subscribers. The cover was also shown to MySpace users that had added the band in a bulletin. The album reached number 1 in the UK,...
- Best Welsh band: Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers are an alternative rock band from Blackwood, Wales, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield , Nicky Wire and Sean Moore...
- Best international artist/Export: The Automatic
The Automatic, , are a Welsh based rock band. The three remaining original members James Frost, Robin Hawkins, and Iwan Griffiths are from Wales; new addition Paul Mullen is from Sunderland...
- Contribution to the music industry: Martin Hall
- Outstanding contribution to music: Mike Peters
Mike Peters is a Welsh musician, best known as the leader singer of The Alarm. He currently lives in Dyserth, North Wales with his family...
- Best performance on The Guest List: The Enemy
The Enemy are a English rock band formed in Coventry in 2006, signed to Warner Music Group . In June 2007, The Enemy played twice at Glastonbury Festival, first in the 'Guardian Lounge' on Saturday and then the much larger 'Other Stage' on Sunday. They also headlined on the Saturday night of T in...
- Best Welsh language act: Sibrydion, Genod Droog
- Xfm Artist of the Year: The Wombats
The Wombats are an indie band from Liverpool, UK. They comprise two native Liverpudlians; Matthew Murphy, provider of vocals, guitar, nose-harp and keyboards; drummer/vocalist Dan Haggis and bass player/vocalist Tord Øverland-Knudsen, a Norwegian who has made his home in the city.-History:The...
2006
- Best live act: Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. The band was founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, originally as a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance...
- Best live event: Green Man Festival
The Green Man Festival is an independent music festival held annually in the Brecon Beacons, Wales. It has evolved from a one-day, 300 capacity event in 2003, to a three-day festival with live music including psych, folk, indie, dance and Americana across five stages, as well as DJs playing...
- Rock 'n' roll excess award: The Automatic
The Automatic, , are a Welsh based rock band. The three remaining original members James Frost, Robin Hawkins, and Iwan Griffiths are from Wales; new addition Paul Mullen is from Sunderland...
- Best new act: The Blackout
The Blackout is a post-hardcore band from the Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, formed in 2003. After some time backing Lostprophets on their Liberation Transmission Tour, along with Dopamine, Covergirl, Kids In Glass Houses, The Guns and Men, Women and Children, they released their first mini-album The...
- Best album: Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. The band was founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, originally as a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance...
: Liberation TransmissionLiberation Transmission is the third studio album by Welsh rock band Lostprophets. The album was released in June 2006 and became the first Lostprophets album to enter the UK album chart at number one . The album peaked at number thirty three on the Billboard 200 album chart with 27,000 copies sold...
- Best Welsh band: Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. The band was founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, originally as a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance...
- Best international artist: Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins is an award-winning British mezzo-soprano. Her first album Premiere made her the fastest-selling mezzo-soprano to date and she later became the first British classical artist to have two number one albums in the same year...
- Contribution to the music industry: Marcus Russell
- Outstanding contribution to music: Lemmy
- Best performance on The Guest List: The Automatic
The Automatic, , are a Welsh based rock band. The three remaining original members James Frost, Robin Hawkins, and Iwan Griffiths are from Wales; new addition Paul Mullen is from Sunderland...
- Best Welsh language act: Frizbee
- Red Dragon artist of the year: The Feeling
The Feeling are a five-piece BRIT award-nominated British band from Sussex and London. The band categorise their music as "pop".Following a limited release of their debut "Fill My Little World" in late 2005, the band entered the UK Singles Chart at #7 with their first full release "Sewn" in...
- Community music award: Winner: Community Music Wales
2005
- Best Pop act: Liberty X
Liberty X were a Brit Award-winning pop vocal group formed by the five contestants eliminated from the final ten qualifiers from the 2001 ITV show Popstars. The group consisted of Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young and Jessica Taylor...
- Best Album: Feeder
Feeder are a Welsh rock band, formed in Newport during 1992 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Grant Nicholas and drummer Jon Lee. Bassist Taka Hirose later joined after Grant responded to an advert. Jon Lee took his own life in January 2002 at his Miami home...
: Pushing The SensesPushing the Senses is the fifth album by the British rock band Feeder. It was released on Echo, PIAS and Pony Canyon on January 31, 2005 in the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan. It was a top five album in Feeder's native United Kingdom, and its lead single "Tumble and Fall" was a top five single....
- Best Live act: Stereophonics
Stereophonics are a Welsh rock band that formed in 1992 in Cwmaman. Currently comprising lead vocalist and guitarist Kelly Jones, bassist and backing vocalist Richard Jones, drummer Javier Weyler, guitarist and backing vocalist Adam Zindani and touring member Tony Kirkham , and originally included...
- Best Welsh band: Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. The band was founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, originally as a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance...
- Best Welsh language act: The Poppies
The Poppies were a cult favourite within the Welsh rock scene during the mid 00s known for their driving fast paced performances and eccentric front man....
- Best Welsh export: Jem
Jemma Griffiths , better known as Jem, is a Welsh singer-songwriter known for her eclectic musical stylings. Her debut album, Finally Woken, includes elements of rock, new wave-styled electronica and trip-hop...
- Best new act: The Automatic
The Automatic, , are a Welsh based rock band. The three remaining original members James Frost, Robin Hawkins, and Iwan Griffiths are from Wales; new addition Paul Mullen is from Sunderland...
- Best live event: Wakestock
The Wakestock Action Sports and Music Festival is a wakeboarding contest and Canada’s largest action sports and music festival. It is held in Ontario, Canada on the Toronto Islands, Toronto, Ontario. The name Wakestock refers to the famous outdoor music festival Woodstock.-History:In 2005, the...
- Best Performance on the Guest List: Bullet for My Valentine
Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh metalcore band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is composed of Matt Tuck , Michael Paget , Jason James , and Michael Thomas . They were formed under the name Jeff Killed John and started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana...
- Outstanding contribution to music: Tom Jones
Sir Thomas Jones Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer. Since 1965, Jones has sold over 100 million records.-Early life:...
- Contribution to the music industry: Dai Davies
for the Wales international rugby union player see Dai Davies William David Davies, better known as Dai Davies , is a former professional footballer, who played in goal between 1969 and 1987...
- Community music award: SONIG
- Rock and roll excess award: Goldie Lookin' Chain
2004
- Best Pop act: Estelle
-Places:* Estelle, California, United States* Estelle, Louisiana, United States* Estelle , hamlet in France, part of the commune of Arrigas, Gard* Estelle , hamlet in France, part of the commune of Saint-Jory, Haute-Garonne-People:...
- Best Album: Goldie Lookin' Chain: Greatest Hits
- Best Live act: Embrace
- Best Welsh band: Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. The band was founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, originally as a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance...
- Best new act: Along Came Man
- Outstanding contribution to music: Pino Paladino
- Contribution to the music industry: Greg Haver
- Community music award: Immtech
- Rock and roll excess award: Stuart Cable
Stuart Cable is the former drummer for the Welsh band, Stereophonics.He grew up in the close-knit village of Cwmaman near Aberdare, and still visits his family there and has a lot to do with the village. He now owns a flat in Cardiff Bay, and partly lives in Abernant.In 2002, Cable was given his...
2003
- Best Pop act: Blazin' Squad
- Best Album: Permission to Land
Permission to Land is the debut studio album by English hard rock band The Darkness, released in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2003 and in the United States on 5 August 2003. The album topped the UK Albums Chart and reached number thirty-six on the American Billboard 200 chart...
by The Darkness
- Best Pop Factory Performance: The Darkness
- Best Live act: Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band, with leanings towards psychedelic rock and electronic experimentation. Since their formation in Cardiff, Wales in 1993, the band has consisted of Gruff Rhys , Huw Bunford , Guto Pryce , Cian Ciaran and Dafydd Ieuan...
- Best Pop Factory Debut: Funeral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend are a Welsh rock band, from Bridgend, Wales, UK, formed in 2001. They have released four studio albums, five EPs, fifteen singles, one DVD, and one 'best of' compilation.-Formation and EPs :...
- Best New Talent: The Crimea
The Crimea may refer to:*Crimea, an autonomous republic in Ukraine, Eastern Europe*The Crimean War of 1854 to 1856*The Crimea , a British band...
- Best Welsh Language Talent: Texas Radio Band
- Best Welsh Language New Talent: Jakokoyak
Jakokoyak is a Welsh lo-fi experimental electronic music project, with leanings towards psychedelic folk.Welsh experimental Folktronica act Jakokoyak is the brainchild of Rhys Edwards. A native of Mold in Flintshire, Wales. Edwards began recording as a sophomore at University. Working and recording...
External links