Island ready to rock with icon Geraint
PREPARATIONS are in full swing for this year’s Gwyl Cefni festival, which kicks off next week.
The highlights of this year’s line-up, from June 7 to 10, have been announced to an enthusiastic response.
Icon of the Welsh music scene Geraint Jarman will be headlining, with a host of other bands supporting the big gig on Saturday afternoon and evening.
AND, having secured financial support from the Arts Council of Wales and the National Lottery, the big gig, ‘ Y Gig Fawr’, can be enjoyed free of charge.
Nia Thomas, Youth coordinator at Menter Iaith Môn and member of the Gŵyl Cefni committee, said: “It’s such exciting news that Geraint Jarman has agreed to perform! I heard him at Eisteddfod Meifod and he was brilliant!
“I love the funky originality of his repertoire and he’s one of those musicians who can create a great atmosphere for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.”
“It’s going to be a wonderful festival, with so much variety and something for everyone: On Wednesday, a quiz night at the Railway Pub; Thursday, an art workshop for children at Oriel Môn after school; Friday, a gig at Theatre Fach with the mesmerising Alys Williams and band, plus Gwilym; Saturday, fun-packed morning for the family with popular S4C characters appearing in a show at Ebeneser; then, from noon on until 8pm, the ‘Gig Fawr’ with over 10 bands taking the stage; not forgetting family activities and refreshments arranged by Llangefni Social Enterprise on the market site.”
Huw Owen, a mentor of up-and-coming bands through the Bocsŵn project, aka the musician ‘Mr Huw’, said: “Whilst Geraint Jarman has some family roots in Anglesey, his musical roots are international and diverse, including early experiences with reggae in Jamaica.
“With classics like ‘Tacsi i’r Tywyllwch’, ‘Ethiopia Newydd’, and ‘Atgof fel Angor’, the guy’s a legend… and his music will attract an audience from all backgrounds to Llangefni to enjoy music in Welsh.
“With his half-a-century of passion for the Welsh rock scene, who better to inspire some of the up-and-coming Anglesey bands also performing, like Carma, with their exciting loud sounds, and (An)naearol, with their popular catchy songs. It will be a melting pot of global musical influences and local Welsh talent and potential.”
Nia added: “Thanks to 17 years of dedication by the Gŵyl Cefni committee, the festival is an established event on the Island’s calendar, giving us an opportunity to welcome new audiences from far and wide to enjoy a Welsh festival.
“There is such a buzz with so many items, that further band details will be confirmed, but in the meanwhile I urge all to follow us on facebook ‘Gwyl Cefni’ and twitter @moniaith.”
“Although the Saturday gig, y Gig Mawr, will be free and accessible to all, it’s vital to book in advance for some of the other events with limited tickets/spaces.”
Call Menter Iaith Môn on 01248 725700 for tickets to the double-bill gig of Alys Williams and Gwilym at Theatr Fach on June 9 (£7 /£5 for under 18), or to book the Oriel Môn art workshop for primary school children at 4-6pm on June 8, where they’ll make mobile art to carry in the parade on Saturday , June 10. The workshop is free but places are limited.
The Saturday morning of Family Fun is free, but entry is by ‘ticket’ only, which comes in the form of a wristband available in advance at Cwpwrdd Cornel bookshop in Llangefni (01248 750218). Demand will be high because of the S4C characters featured in the show.
The annual festival is organised by the Gŵyl Cefni committee, which receives support in funding or in kind from Menter Iaith Môn, Arts Council of Wales, The National Lottery, Oriel Môn, Isle of Anglesey County Council, The Sign Factory, and Llangefni Social Enterprise.