Tristwch Y Fenywod is a band of three queer women – Gwretsien Ferch Lisbeth (Voice, Dual-Zither), Leila Lygad(Electronic Drums) and Sidni Sarffwraig (Bass Guitar) – who play Avant Garde Gothic rock with vocals sung entirely in the Welsh language (Cymraeg). Although originally from North Wales, Gwretsien (a member of “xenofeminist crisis energy rock” duo Guttersnipe, along with her solo projects The Ephemeron Loop and Petronn Sphene, plus other groups such as La Brea Pulpit, Swimming Wraith, Cletwisp, BAND and others) has lived in Leeds since 2013 where she soon met Leila (a member of “21st century moon musick” duo Hawthonn and more recently of folk/ritual/avant-garde group Hexham Heads). Both of them are long time prolific members of the Leeds DIY underground music scene. In 2018 Gwretsien and Sidni (originally from Canada, currently performing solo as Slaylor Moon and formerly of noise rock band Shearing Pinx and indie rock band The Courtneys) met and became a couple, then forming the experimental duo Two Form a Click. After a period of collective grief around various personal circumstances of loss and bereavement, they decided to form Tristwch Y Fenywod in early 2022, with the intention to use the Welsh language and Gwretsien’s memories of her formative years in North Wales to explore, without setting any particular limits, ideas such as sapphic love and desire, existential darkness, visionary use of psychedelics, political and environmental anguish/celebration, psychogeographic romance, pagan mysticism, imaginal explorations of Celtic history and myth, psychedelia and myriad other variations of reverie. They released a live recording of their first ever public performance in July 2022, to widespread positive reactions. After completing a small tour of Northern England and Wales in March 2023, the group recorded their debut album “Tristwch Y Fenywod” with engineer and producer Ross Halden at Hohm Studio in Bradford. In August 2024 they released their album through Night School Records to universal critical acclaim, having since performed at various UK festivals such as Supernormal and Supersonic, with plans to tour internationally set for 2025.

“An utterly addictive masterpiece of Welsh-sung queer goth folk, the debut recording by Gwretsien Ferch Lisbeth (Guttersnipe, The Ephemeron Loop), Leila Lygad (Hawthonn) and Sidni Sarffwraig (Slaylor Moon, The Courtneys) is among this decade’s most bewitching albums, bar none – unmissable for fans of Cranes, Dead Can Dance, Svitlana Nianio, Cocteau Twins’ ‘Head Over Heels’, The Cure’s ‘The Top’ era.” – BOOMKAT

Formed in the post-punk explosion of 1981, The March Violets emerged from Leeds as pioneers of the gothic rock scene, blending dark, driving rhythms with spiky guitar lines and haunting female and male vocal interplay. Known for iconic tracks like Snake Dance, Walk Into the Sun, and Turn to the Sky (featured in the cult classic film Some Kind of Wonderful), the band quickly became a defining voice of the era. After a long hiatus, The March Violets reunited in the 21st century, reintroducing their music to both devoted fans and a new generation of listeners. In 2024, the band released Crocodile Promises on Metropolis Records, their first album of original material in a decade, capturing the same essence of their early work while moving forward and embracing a modern edge.

“Despite forming in 1981, there is a youthful air surrounding post-punk/gothic rock band The March Violets. It’s a feeling that the band is reborn and ready to take on the world and with their latest album, Crocodile Promises, just released and creating ripples it seems there’s no holding them back” – Devolution Magazine

A Message from Wayne Hussey

‘November 10th, 2026, will mark the 40th anniversary of the release of our first album, God’s Own Medicine. As part of our celebrations we will playing two nights at the Whitby Pavilion as headliners of the Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival. I have played in Whitby now a fair few times, both with the The Mission and solo (perhaps my personal favourite performance being with The Divine in 2019) and they have always been great celebratory occasions. We couldn’t think of a better place than the fabled, wind battered, cobbled streets of Whitby to spend what for us will be very emotional evenings.

Both shows will feature very different sets – we will be mixing it up – but one evening will be a performance in full of the album we’ll be celebrating, God’s Own Medicine. Fancy it? Come and sing along to all your fave Mission tunes and more…’

Wayne Hussey, Oct, 2025.

The Mission, formed in Leeds, England in 1986 following the departure of Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams from The Sisters of Mercy. Joined by guitarist Simon Hinkler and drummer Mick Brown, the band quickly carved out a niche in the post-punk and gothic rock scenes. Their sound combined intricate atmospheric guitar work with Hussey’s emotive and haunting vocals to deliver a truly anthemic repertoire.

The Mission’s debut album, God’s Own Medicine, released in 1986, featured hit singles like “Wasteland” and “Severina,” propelling them into the limelight. Their follow-up, Children (1988), produced by Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, further solidified their status, producing the much loved “Tower Of Strength.” The band’s music often explored themes of love, loss, and existential reflection, resonating with a broad audience and establishing a dedicated fanbase.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, The Mission maintained a prolific output, with albums such as Carved In Sand (1990) showcasing their evolving sound and featured the evergreen “Butterfly On A Wheel” and showstopper “Deliverance”. However, by the mid-1990s, the band faced internal struggles, leading to a temporary breakup in 1996.

Despite these challenges, The Mission regrouped in the new millennium, embarking on a successful series of tours and releasing fresh material. Albums like Aura (2001), God Is A Bullet (2007) and Another Fall from Grace (2016) demonstrated their ability to adapt while remaining true to their roots. The band’s music continues to resonate, marked by passionate performances and a fanatically loyal global fanbase. With their rich legacy and influence on the gothic and alternative rock genres, The Mission remains a significant force in the music world, celebrating almost four decades of impactful artistry.

Post Covid The Mission have toured extensively – the line-up being Wayne Hussey (guitar & vocals), Craig Adams (bass guitar), Simon Hinkler (guitar), and new-boy Alex Baum (drums) – with several tours of Europe (incl. UK), LATAM twice, and a couple of visits to North America under their belts.

The Mission will celebrate their 40th anniversary with dual headline slots at Tomorrow’s Ghost Festival in Whitby and four nights at London’s O2 Forum.