If you tuned into our latest weekly Folk Show (listen here) you would have heard Welsh traditional band Allan Yn Y Fan performing Ym Mhontypridd, a traditional Welsh love song where a young farmer hopes to woo his beloved Gwenfron with his speckled cows. This is one of the tracks that is to feature on their first ever single which is being released in September to celebrate their 22nd year on the road and which ties in with their latest tour (details below). Some of you may recall the video we premiered in which the band perform in front of William Edward’s iconic single arch bridge crossing the River Taff in Pontypridd. Built in 1756, it was for 40 years Britain’s longest single span bridge. An image from this live performance features on both tour print and CD single.
https://youtu.be/CIwLvM5PbDM
The single is backed with Gorthrwm y Gweithiwr, which the band believes to be the first ever recording of the song. It refers to the struggles of the workers, versus their Beaufort, Ebbw Vale ironmasters in mid 19th century Wales.
The title of the tour is also inspired by the musical bridges that supporters of the band have enabled them to build over the decades, reflected by returns to Luxembourg, Spiegelberg, Ystradgynlais and Abertyleri.
The band is also mindful of the Welsh proverb “A Fo Ben Bid Bont” – which could be translated as “If you want to be a leader, be a bridge.” A possible interpretation of which is to become a leader, you must help others achieve their aims…!
Allan Yn Y Fan is especially pleased on this tour to be paying first visits to Papenburg where they will perform the first concert in the newly restored Altei Droste venue; a premiere concert in the Studio Theatre of Dresden’s Staatsschauspiel; plus first visits to Llanelli, Oswestry and Llanidloes.
“Ym Mhontypridd/Gorthrwm Y Gweithiwr” is released on 7th September.
Allan Yn Y Fan Tour Dates
14/09/18 Theatr Brycheiniog BRECON Wales
27/09/18 Chateau Bettembourg LUXEMBOURG
28/09/18 Alte Drostei PAPENBURG Germany
29/09/18 Gemeinde Halle Jux SPIEGELBERG Germany
30/09/18 Kleines Haus Staatsschauspiel DRESDEN Germany
01/10/18 West Flügel SYKE Germany
05/10/18 Ffwrnes LLANELLI Wales
13/10/18 The Function Room LLANIDLOES Wales *
14/10/18 Hermon Chapel Arts Centre OSWESTRY England
16/11/18 The Welfare YSTRADGYNLAIS Wales
17/11/18 The Met ABERTYLERI Wales
23/11/18 Village Hall REDWICK Wales *
01/12/18 Market Theatre LEDBURY England
* Funded by Night Out/Arts Council Wales