Llanfest headliner to be unveiled

Llanfest, the lively closing party to the annual global festival of music and dance and one of the highlights of the week, will be held on July 8.

Evening gigs of past years include Status Quo, McFly and the Manic Street Preachers, who raised the roof of the pavilion at the 70th anniversary event last year.

Now entering its eighth year, Llanfest is a comparatively recent addition to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s concert series. It was established to use the final day of the festival to introduce the message of the International Eisteddfod to a wider audience.

From showcasing local bands the event has evolved to a full-day festival in its own right.

Barrie Roberts, Chair of the Grounds Committee at the International Eisteddfod, who has managed the programming of the outside stages on Sunday since Llanfest was established, said: “Llanfest has been quietly and steadily growing since its inception in 2011 when McFly closed the festival.

“The evening concert has certainly evolved over the years. Many years ago the Sunday evening show would be a more traditional choral concert, mainly attended by local and regional audiences.

“Now Llanfest’s evening concert is known nationally as a modern gig, bringing globally famous contemporary performers who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to play in the town to Llangollen.

“The scale of the outside stages has also increased considerably with acts coming from across the UK and abroad.

“Headliners like the Manics have put the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on the radar of emerging bands that perform at festivals and pop gigs across the country.”

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod this year runs from July 3-11, welcoming more than 4,000 performers and competitors and up to 50,000 visitors across the week. For more information and to buy tickets go to llangollen.net or contact the Box Office on 01978 862001 from 9am on March 7.