A varied evening of music was enjoyed by large crowds on the National Eisteddfod Maes on Saturday night
Elin Fflur, the singer-songwriter from Anglesey, and Diffiniad, who have close ties to the Wrexham area, performed on the Maes Stage, while Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion played to a substantial audience in Tŷ Gwerin.
Meanwhile, the audience in the Pavilion enjoyed a brand-new musical commissioned by the Eisteddfod. Y Stand was written by Manon Steffan Ros with music composed by Osian Huw Williams.
Diffiniad was formed by a group of friends, mainly from the Mold area, to perform Welsh-language dance music. Bethan Richards from Ammanford joined as the lead singer, and her rich, deep voice lifts some of their most memorable anthems to new heights.
Songs like Hapus, Hwyr Tan y Bore, and their version of Caryl Parry Jones’s classic Calon were sung along with the group by the crowd.
Earlier, the audience had been captivated by a set from Elin Fflur and her band. She sang both old and new songs, including Harbwr Diogel, written by Arfon Wyn, which won the Cân i Gymru competition in 2002.
Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion are led by the Archdruid Twm Morys. Their music blends an eclectic mix of influences and instruments with more traditional Welsh folk sounds.
Their set ended with Twm Morys’s song Trên Bach y Sgwarnogod, which prompted dozens of audience members to join a large conga around the venue, led by saxophonists Edwin Humphreys and Einion Gruffudd.
Y Stand is a brand-new show about football, about winning and losing, and about the special connection that comes from supporting a team.
The Pavilion was transformed into a football stadium, alive with sound, colour, and the energy of the crowd.
The story is told through the eyes of the Eisteddfod choir, which includes 200 members, and five main characters. Clem (Dyfed Thomas) is an actor and former Wrexham player, returning to the stage with his personal story and deep love for the Club, and Grace (Cadi Glwys), a 14-year-old girl who dreams of playing football.
The National Eisteddfod offers opportunities to a wide range of groups and solo artists throughout the week-long festival. Among others taking part are the experienced folk singer Dafydd Iwan, the rock bands Anweledig from Blaenau Ffestiniog and Fleur de Lys from Anglesey, and the leading folk band Bwncath.
