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Newport City Radio – Live Right here, Right Now
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Episode 78: What'll be in the box at Elimination Chamber?
Kym sat on sofa with Ophelia from Ophelia's Beard
A typical Newport City Radio beginning
In true Newport City Radio style, the interview with Ophelia of Ophelia’s Beard began with laughter, chaos, and a mystery buzzing noise that turned out to be nothing more than her phone leaning against the desk. Once the tech gremlins were banished, the conversation unfolded into a warm, funny, and deeply personal look at Ophelia’s journey, her upcoming release, and the whirlwind world of her uniquely eclectic musical life.
A Long-Awaited Release: “Red Sea”
After years of performing but never releasing anything officially, Ophelia is finally ready to share “Red Sea”, a song she wrote when she was just 16.
“It’s about anxiety,” she explained. “It’s something I’ve struggled with a lot, and honestly one of the reasons I’ve held back from releasing music. I’d gig all summer, people would ask when the songs were coming out, and I’d just… freeze.”
But the tide has turned. With a new band behind her, a studio rework, and the courage to push through old barriers, “Red Sea” is set to become the first of five singles leading toward an EP in 2026.
And yes—there’s banjo in it.
“Because we didn’t want it to be sad,” she laughed.
A Grandad’s Legacy
Music runs deep in Ophelia’s family specifically through her grandad, John Pearce, a musician, RAF man and all-round creative spirit who played everything from guitar to bagpipes.
After he passed away, Ophelia inherited his guitars. All four of them, plus a banjo. One was even handmade, his initials carved into the wood.
“He was amazing,” she said. “Learning on his guitar felt like a way of connecting with him.”
That connection sparked her song writing journey, thanks also to a guitar teacher who bribed her with a chocolate digestive to write her first song. (“Homage to the fromage,” she joked. “It’s tacky but it’s fun!”)
A Sound That’s Hard to Define
Ask Ophelia to describe her music, and she’ll laugh.
“I always say old folk or rage folk. But honestly? I have no idea. I was raised on Dad’s new wave and punk CDs, plus Grandad’s songwriting, so it’s a mishmash.”
It’s true Ophelia’s sound sits somewhere between folk, punk energy, emotional storytelling, and the kind of festival vibes that feel instantly communal. It’s eclectic, raw, playful, and entirely her own.
So if anyone out there can define her genre, she’d love to hear it.
Festival Highlights & Big Stages Ahead
The past year has been huge for Ophelia’s Beard. They tore up a busy festival season and are already booked to headline Between the Trees Festival next year.
“It’ll be our third year in a row,” she said. “Apparently that never happens! But the audience just went mental for us.”
Her dream festival?
Beautiful Days in Devon full of quirky outfits, sunshine logos, and pure bearded chaos. Also on her wish list: Other Voices, mostly because they put artists in posh hotels.
“Yes, I have a bit of princess energy,” she admitted proudly. “Pinky up!”
Music in the Park, Heatstroke & The Kebab Incident
Summer Sessions in the park was another highlight for her—families, sunshine, cocktails, trees framing the stage.
But not every festival memory is so idyllic.
She recalled a scorching Glastonbury a few years back:
“I woke up in a boiling tent, got heat stroke, and started chatting absolute nonsense. The woman in a clothing tent asked if I liked any of the clothes and I replied, ‘Yeah, the kebab was really nice.’ My sisters dragged me home!”
The Road Ahead: Singles, EP, and Accountability
Ophelia has five singles lined up for release between now and June 2026, all leading toward an EP.
And she welcomes accountability.
“If I don’t release them, tell me off,” she insisted.
And trust us… we will.
A Bright Future for Ophelia’s Beard
Between the banjo-brightened melancholy of “Red Sea,” the ever-growing festival fanbase, and the undefinable-but-undeniable charm of her sound, Ophelia’s future looks full of music, madness, and magic.
And as long as she keeps sending Newport City Radio those new tracks, we’ll be here for all of it.