Some of Wales’ biggest stars will be performing across the Eisteddfod Maes this summer. Details of the festival’s evening’s programme, held in Abergavenny, were announced today.

Elen Elis, Eisteddfod Organiser, said, “The Eisteddfod’s evening programme has developed so much over the past few years. Traditionally, the only evening events during Eisteddfod week were classical concerts, but as we’ve evolved and developed, we’ve listened and responded to our audiences’ needs. This year, we have a wide range of events across the Maes in the evening, and hopefully there’ll be something which will appeal to everyone.

“The concerts, of course, continue to be a very important part of the evening programme, and I very much hope that we have managed to create a wide ranging and attractive programme this year. We have a good mixture of musical genres, from Big Band to light classical and pop.

“We have a brand new pavilion this year, and we are confident that this building will improve the experience for the audience and the artists. And this new beginning is an opportunity to introduce a few different ideas, and these include a gig with Candelas, Yr Ods and Swnami, the biggest bands in the Welsh music scene, and an evening by Catrin Finch, Serenestial: Adventure through Time and Space. Two very different evenings, which, by adding them to the rest of the programme, create a week of great high quality entertainment.

“The success of the Open Air Stage has exploded over the past few years – this is the hub of the Maes for many people, and it’s very important that we make sure we’ve got the best bands and groups on stage, as well as providing a stage for newer and more local talents. We’ve already announced that Huw Chiswell a’r Band will be performing in the Friday evening slot, and we’re pleased to announce the line-ups for the other evenings today.

“For many, Maes B is the highlight of the Eisteddfod, and this year’s line-ups are sure to appeal to fans of the Welsh music scene. Yws Gwynedd headlines on Wednesday night, Y Reu on Thursday, Y Bandana on Friday and Band Pres Llareggub and Yr Ods will close the festival on Saturday night. We will be announcing more of the line-ups soon. And remember, there are special tickets available, which include entry to the gigs, to the Maes and to stay on the Maes peByll campsite.

“So, this year’s Eisteddfod evening programme is ready, announced and in a little over a week – on 1 April – tickets go on sale. You can buy tickets online,www.eisteddfod.wales, or ring 0845 4090 800. Details of all evening programmes are available online, and draft programmes for events throughout the day will be published in a few weeks time.

“Work starts on the Maes in June, and we’ll soon be ready to welcome everyone to Castle Meadows for a memorable week from 29 July – 6 August. We look forward to seeing you there.”

Concert highlights

Only Men Aloud, firm Eisteddfod favourites, open the festivities with Gwawr Edwards and Rebecca Trehearn, performing a great mix of old favourites and newer songs.

Rhys Taylor’s Big Band provides the accompaniment on Saturday night, as West End star, Caroline Sheen and the swing and soul singer, James Williams, take the stage with the Eisteddfod Choir. The evening’s Musical

Director is Jeffrey Howard, and we’ll enjoy all kinds of songs performed in the Big Band style in the Pavilion this evening.

On Sunday night, the Eisteddfod’s Cymanfa Ganu (Songs of Praise) celebrates its 100th birthday, with Alwyn Humphreys and Tredegar Brass Band, with Robert Nicholls on the organ. Some of the hymns from the first Cymanfa will be sung on the night.

The Noson Lawen has become a Monday night institution at the Eisteddfod, and we look forward to welcoming Phyl Harries to the stage to present a host of stars, Rhydian Roberts, Katy Treharne, Trystan Llyr and Gwydion Griffiths, Band Pres Llareggub, Ifan Gruffydd, Elan and Miriam Isaac and Non Parry, Dyfan Roberts, Olion Byw, South Wales Rugby United Choir and the Bro Taf Dancers and Choir.

Catrin Finch curates a special evening on Tuesday night, Serenestial: Adventure through Time and Space, a light classical evening with world music influences, awakening the senses through music, dance and literature. Joining Catrin are Elin Manahan-Thomas, Ballet Cymru, Charlie Lovell-Jones, and actress, Sara Lloyd-Gregory, with read poems especially commissioned for the evening by poet, Eurig Salisbury.

We move from a traditional concert on Thursday night, and host a gig, presented by Radio 1’s Huw Stephens, with Candelas, Yr Ods and Swnami, the current stars of the Welsh rock scene. The bands will be accompanied by the Welsh Pops Orchestra, conducted by musician Owain Llwyd. A new way to hear some of Wales’ best known pop and rock songs.

Open Air Stage

Candelas headline the Open Air Stage on Wednesday evening, with the final of the Brwydr y Bandiau competition, organised by Maes B, C2 Radio Cymru and Mentrau Iaith Cymru, taking place on stage at the beginning of the evening. With 20 bands in this year’s competition, the semi final rounds are currently taking place across Wales, and this looks set to be a great evening on the Maes.

Thursday night’s headliner is the Rhys Taylor Jazz Band, with Adran D and Yws Gwynedd, who is very popular with people of all ages, also performing.

We have already announced that Huw Chiswell a’r Band will be performing on the Open Air Stage on Friday, with a combination of old favourites and newer songs. Band Pres Llareggub will also be on stage on Friday evening.

Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog will close this year’s Eisteddfod on the Open Air Stage. This is the tenth time in a row for them to perform at the festival, and what better slot for the popular band than Saturday night on the Stage? Geraint Lovgreen and Plu are also performing this evening.

Maes B

Yws Gwynedd headlines Wednesday night at Maes B. Also announced so far for the first night is Yr Eira.

Y Reu is Thursday’s main headliner. HMS Morris has also been announced, and there are more to come.

Y Bandana headline Friday night at Maes B, with Candelas also performing. More names to be announced soon.

Band Pres Llareggub, one of the great success stories of the past year, headline Maes B in the sought-after Saturday night slot, with Yr Ods also confirmed to play. More Maes B artists will be announced over the coming weeks.

For more information on the concerts and evening programme, go online, www.eisteddfod.wales, or ring 0845 4090 800.