The National Eisteddfod has announced the second wave of artists who’ll be performing on the various stages at the festival, with several young names appearing, as well as a host of well-known favourites
Some of Wales' main artists such as Candelas, Dafydd Iwan, Elin Fflur and Yws Gwynedd will appear on Llwyfan y Maes, with a group of young artists such as Buddug, Dadleoli, Taran and Tew Tew Tennau also appearing on Wales' main open-air stage during the festival. Local artists, including Daniel Lloyd a Mr Pinc and Talulah will also perform on Llwyfan y Maes during the week.
Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog and Pedair are two of the big names in Tŷ Gwerin this year, with new artists such as Cadi Glwys, Elin a Carys, Megan Lee and Peiriant also performing in the iconic yurt on the Maes in Wrecsam.
As usual there’s plenty of street theatre and dance performances dotted around the Maes throughout the week, and among the names performing this year are Osian Meilir with his new show, Mari Ha!, Krystle Lowe and Ballet Cymru with Merched y Môr, Paallam Arts and Hijinx with Robots.
Festival favourites, Cabarela, return this year with a brand-new show, Merched y Waw! The year is 2026, and Strumpan has succeeded in oppressing all the women of Wales and enslaving them, forcing them to print the dictator's propaganda posters to spread across Wales. There are no rights, no hope and no pleasure - until Cabarela ignites a revolution with the help of the 'huns' of the past... Catch their show in the Cwt Cabaret from Monday to Thursday as part of the Mas ar y Maes programme.
Encore is the perfect stage for intimate music sessions and music-related conversations. This year, we’ll remember Arwel Hughes, the famous composer and musician from Rhos, find out more about Welsh football songs with Mei Emrys and musician, Owain Roberts, and Brwydr y cyfeilyddion is back for another year, as part of an entertaining and interesting programme which will appeal to a wide audience.
Y Babell Lên has been home to literature on the Maes for many years and enjoys a packed programme mixing traditional and modern literature again this year in Wrecsam. Join Geraint Løvgreen, Gwynfor Dafydd. Manon Steffan Ros, Marged Tudur, Melanie Owen, Mererid Hopwood and many others in a wide range of literary events and activities throughout the week. And good news for poetry fans everywhere, Ymryson y Beirdd is back again this year, with Twm Morys and Gruffudd Antur at the helm.
Maes D is the first port of call for anyone new to our language or learning Cymraeg on the Maes. With an eclectic mix of sessions, the programme gives new visitors a taste of every element of the festival. As well as well-known names such as Dafydd Iwan, Gwenan Gibbard and Pedair, there’s a session on Wrexham Football Club and the Welsh language and the Doctor Cymraeg will throw open the doors of his surgery during the week. So, if you need treatment for your ‘treigladau’ or your ‘gorberffaith’ is a bit grumbly, call in to see the doctor!
Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said, "We’re proud of the wide range of artists we’ve been able to include in our second wave announcement for Wrecsam. There’s another wave to come in the next few weeks before we publish the programme online in mid-June.
"It’s great to have so many young and new artists performing this year, and I’m certain that we’ll see some real stars of the future on our stages during the week. Creating opportunities for new and emerging artists is an important part of our role to support and strengthen a strong and vibrant scene across all artistic genres.
“With just over 100 days to go, preparations are going well, and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to Wrecsam for a week to remember in August this year."
The Wrecsam National Eisteddfod is held on the outskirts of the city from 2-9 August. For more information and to buy tickets go to www.eisteddfod.cymru.
