Emeli Sandé has been confirmed as the next musical star for the 2026 Llangollen Eisteddfodd.
The singer and songwriter will perform at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in a one-night-only orchestral concert in 2026.
It will be her first appearance at the festival.
Emeli Sandé said: "I’m absolutely thrilled to be performing at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for the very first time next summer.
"It’s such a unique and powerful celebration of music.
"I can't wait to perform with the incredibly talented musicians of The Absolute Orchestra, which makes the occasion even more special."
Emeli Sandé will reimagine her best-loved songs in new symphonic arrangements, performed live with The Absolute Orchestra.
The concert will take place on Friday, July 10, as part of the festival’s 2026 programme.
It will be a fully seated, specially curated show and the first headline act announced for next summer’s event.
This follows the success of the 2025 orchestral collaboration between KT Tunstall and The Absolute Orchestra, which inspired the Eisteddfod’s new tradition of genre-blending symphonic performances.
Friends of the festival can access pre-sale tickets from 10am on Friday, October 24, with general sale beginning at 9am on Saturday, October 25.
Emeli Sandé rose to fame in 2012 with her debut album Our Version of Events, featuring hits such as Next to Me, Read All About It (Part III), and Clown.
The album was the UK’s best-selling record of the year and received acclaim from artists including Madonna and Alicia Keys.
Since then, she has released further albums, including Let’s Say For Instance (2022) and How Were We to Know (2023), earning praise for her emotional depth and versatility.
Raised in rural Aberdeenshire by a Zambian father and working-class Cumbrian mother, Emeli Sandé has become one of the UK’s most respected musical voices.
She has won multiple BRIT Awards, an Ivor Novello Award, and an MBE for services to music.
At Llangollen, she will be joined on stage by The Absolute Orchestra, conducted and arranged by the festival’s artistic director, Dave Danford.
The orchestra is known for its cross-genre collaborations with artists such as KT Tunstall and Kosheen.
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Mr Danford said: "We’re thrilled that Emeli is coming to perform in Llangollen next summer.
"She’s a hugely popular artist, and very much at the top of her game right now.
"We’re particularly excited that this show will be a bespoke one-off performance with orchestra, and that we’re presenting something that can’t be found anywhere else."
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod was established in 1947 and has grown into one of the world’s leading festivals of music, dance, and international friendship.
Further headline announcements for 2026 are expected in the coming months.
For ticket information and further details, visit llangollen.net.
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