Wrexham will benefit from ‘the most exciting line-up of gigs for years’ when the National Eisteddfod comes to town nex week, according to local organisers.
The events range from a comedy night, film shows, kung-fu along with local and international artists at north Wales’s premier music venue. The sessions will run every evening starting on Sunday 31st July with a showing of international hit film “Separado!” followed songs from one of the stars of Gruff Rhys’ south American tale, Rene Griffiths. Performers from hit show Ddoe am Ddeg will lead a comedy night on the Monday night, with local band Dr Hywel Ffiaidd providing the music.
There’s a campaigning flavour to the aptly-named “Trên y Chwyldro (The Revolutionary Train)” gigs as well. On Tuesday night Bryn Fôn and his band will play in an effort to raise awareness of the threat to Welsh-speaking communities. Mici Plwm will compère an evening celebrating 50 years of rock music and Welsh campaigning in song and film with Maffia Mr Huws, Heather Jones and Gai Toms on Wednesday night. ‘Opposing the cuts’ will be the theme on Thursday night with Mr Huw, Twmffat, Llwybr Llaethog, Crash Disco!, Dau Cefn, Llyr PS all entertaining the crowds.
Meic Stevens, will travel back from Canada, to play with his band to headline the peace gig in memory of Hiroshima on the Friday night, supported by Tecwyn Ifan, Gwilym Morus Lleuwen Steffan. Bob Delyn and Geraint Lovgreen will lead the Saturday night, along with local band Mother of 6, an evening given a unique twist as Kung-Fu and Taw-Kwondo is seen for the first time at an Eisteddfod.
Tickets may be purchased online, at the Central Station or from Cymdeithas’s stand on the Eisteddfod Maes.
Osian Jones, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg’s northern organiser commented:
“This is the most exciting line-up we’ve had at our gigs for many years. We have chosen the best location in town, and hope that we can add to the hwyl of the Eisteddfod as a whole.
“We’re very grateful to Bryn Fôn for agreeing to headline the gig on the Tuesday night. This is Bryn and his band’s only gig at this year’s Eisteddfod, and will be an extremely popular night.
“The whole thrust of Cymdeithas’ activities during the Eisteddfod week will be on Welsh as a community language, and campaigning for people to be able live their lives through the medium of Welsh in communities from Pen-Llyn to Wrecsam, from Llanrwst to Monmouthshire. A local group of people have organised the gigs: their enthusiasm shows that the struggle to protect Welsh as a community language is winnable, when communities come together.
“We’re delighted to have chosen the Central Station in Wrexham as the place for our gigs this year as well – it’s the best venue for gigs in the north-east, and has gained a very good reputation over recent years. The centre hosts some of the biggest national and international bands. It also offers us, for the first tme ever, the best possible musical experience, in a bespoke location.”
Full line-up and info:
Sunday 31st July – Seperardo Film + Rene Griffiths
Start offs with Gruff Rhys’ film “Separado” about his quest for his long-lost cousin in Patagonia. The film is in 3 languages (Welsh, English and Spanish) and so if you speak any of those, you’ll be able to follow the film. In the film former Super Furries front-man Gruff is searching for his cousin Rene Griffiths. And at the end of the film there will be a live 45 minute set from the man himself, Rene Griffiths, singing his brand of Latino-Celtic folk.
Doors 8pm // Tickets // £6 // 14+
Monday 1st August – Dr Hywel Ffiaidd + Comedy Night
An ironic tribute to the Royal Family. A couple of hours of Welsh-language comedy followed by 70s Welsh punk/theatrical rock band revival from Dr Hywel Ffiaidd (Disgusting Hywel) backed by Plant Ffiaidd (The Disgusting Children) and with or without his girl-friend Blodwen The Vomit.
Doors 8pm // Tickets // £8 // 14+
Tuesday 2nd August – Bryn Fôn, Daniel Lloyd a Mr Pinc, Al Lewis Band, Y Saethau, Ryan Kift
Welsh-language superstar Bryn Fôn will pack the place out; the king of the pop anthems and reflective ballads who has reached the heights of popularity in the Welsh-language music scene. With 4 support bands including Rhos’ Daniel Lloyd, this will be one of the most popular nights of the week. Chill-out bar downstairs.
Doors 8pm // Tickets £9 // 14+
Wednesday 3rd August – Maffia Mr Huws, Heather Jones, Gai Toms a’r Band, Jen Jeniro, Ian Rush
Nostalgia Night. 60s DJ Mici Plwm will host – in music and film – a celebration of 50 years of Welsh-language rock music and protest. Live sets from 80s super-group Maffia Mr Huws, contemporary bands Gai Toms and Jen Jeniro, and Deeside’s 90s outfit Ian Rush.
Doors 8pm // Tickets £9 // 14+
Thursday 4th August – Mr Huw, Twmffat, Llwybr Llaethog, Crash.Disco!, Dau Cefn, Llyr PSI
We turn the volume up for a Protest Gig against the Cuts with Mr Huw. His tuneful approach should find a place in the hearts of anyone that hears his music, inhabiting a similar musical landscape to Super Furry Animals. Supporting will be Twmffat (former front man of Anweledig) and electronic bands Llwybr Llaethog, Crash.Disgo!, Dau Cefn and Llyr PSI.
Doors 8pm // Tickets £7 // 14+
Friday 5th August – Meic Stevens, Tecwyn Ifan, Gwilym Morus, Lleuwen, Sen Segur, Tom ap Dan, Carlos Jesus Morales (from Chile)
Massive Peace Gig with Midnight remembrance for the victims of Hiroshima. Headlined by veteran anti-Vietnam war activist Meic Stevens supported by 5 other rock and folk bands. Downstairs Indi Club will join in with a set by Lleuwen with her full band of Welsh and Breton musicians and the next big Welsh language band Sen Segur.
Doors 8pm // Tickets £9 // Bar til 3.30am // 14+
Saturday 6th August – Bob Delyn, Geraint Lovgreen, Mother of 6, Kung Fu v Taekwondo display, Cambria Band
Round off the Eisteddfod with an incredible gig full of surprises. Starts off with a Celtic Marching Band. Followed by local band Mother of 6, and then a Martial Arts Display by world-famous local proponent Pol Wong. Then we move into folk-rock with the ever popular Welsh -language bands Geraint Lovgreen and Bob Delyn. Stage is then cleared for our regular Club Night between 12am – 4am.
Doors 7pm // Tickets £8 // Bar til 3.30am // 14+
