DENBIGHSHIRE’S top artists returned to their roots for a gig at their old school as part of a BBC Radio Cymru tour to promote a summer of live music across Wales.
Welsh pop royalty Eden and reggae artist Morgan Elwy brought their live sets to the school theatre at Ysgol Glan Clwyd for a feast of music.
The gig is the first date in the Taith Haf o Gerddoriaeth Radio Cymru, a tour of schools across the country, where Welsh language artists are returning to their local areas to perform for school pupils as well as their former teachers.
That certainly was the case for former Glan Clwyd pupils Non Parry and Rachel Solomon – who along with Emma Walford make up pop trio Eden.
Non said: “My old Welsh teacher was there at the gig, and my best friend from school now teaches French there and brought her students down. And my bandmate Rachel, of course, was with me throughout primary and secondary school, and so walking in there at the same time was like ‘wow this is mental!’.
“It’s three decades back now but we’ve got so many memories of being at school, and this is where we really started singing anyway in choirs and groups. Glan Clwyd was in a way our little training ground, and so it was part about what eventually shaped our group. It was a real full-circle sort of situation being back here to perform.
“It was a lovely, positive – almost life-affirming – reception. The kids were so up for it. They’ve had such a rubbish couple of years not being able to see live music, and you could just see it in their faces they were happy they could dance and shout and sing.”
Morgan Elwy, who attended Ysgol Glan Clwyd until 2014, said: “It was great to see everyone enjoying Welsh music. They’re a lively bunch at Glan Clwyd and it was really good to be back to see everyone.
“There’s so many different types of genres in the mix in the Welsh music scene nowadays – rap, electronic, influences from around the world – which is why I think it’s more accessible and you’re seeing a surge in interest, especially with young people.
“I’m really enjoying writing Welsh language reggae music at the moment, and I would never have thought about doing that before I saw (Welsh singer-songwriter) Geraint Jarman doing that. People can be inspired by the things they see, and so doing shows like this can hopefully mean we can do the same for younger people.”
Head of sixth form at the school, Catherine Jones, said: “These shows are great as they’re really bringing back a sense of normality for pupils who have had a tough couple of years because of Covid.
“For them to see that Welsh culture is something that can be enjoyed and be proud outside of education is important, because I do think the use of the Welsh language has been affected by the pandemic outside of school.
“I’m very proud of all our past students, and it’s really nice when they can come back and engage with our current ones and show them what’s possible if they have ambition to pursue being a performer.”
BBC Radio Cymru’s Editor Dafydd Meredydd said: “It feels really special to bring these shows to schools across Wales to celebrate our summer of live music.
“Welsh language music is on the rise, and more than ever young people are wanting to engage with artists from the scene.
“We hope that by bringing these performers back to their local areas we can connect new audiences to the golden era of talent we are currently enjoying in Wales, as well as help inspire the next generation of artists to pursue what they love.”
The Taith Haf o Gerddoriaeth will continue later this month with Y Cledrau and Lewys returning to Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn in Bala, Mellt and Adwaith at Ysgol Penweddig in Aberystwyth, and Chroma and Mali Haf at Ysgol Glantaf in Cardiff.
The shows coincide with Radio Cymru’s recent coverage of Tafwyl festival in Cardiff, and the upcoming Sesiwn Fawr in Dolgellau and at the National Eisteddfod in Tregaron, where the station will bring unmissable and exclusive music to Radio Cymru listeners and BBC Sounds users.
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