Sublime Emeli Sandé and formidable home orchestra have Pavilion bouncing

* Pictures above and below: Tom Cusworth.

British hit-maker Emeli Sandé’s sublimely soulful voice bouncing off the wonderful wall of sound produced by the Absolute Orchestra conducted by Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s own artistic director Dave Danford had a packed Pavilion literally rocking to its canvas roof. 

Specially for the festival the two musicians collaborated on a programme which saw Danford rework some of the British singer-songwriter’s biggest album hits to spectacular effect.

 

The enormous and delicious background sound was produced by a hand-picked, 20-odd-strong group of musicians numbering in the twenties who enveloped Sande’s soaring voice like constant pouring of hot cream.

 

For the opening number of Daddy this formidable pairing was accompanied on stage by a sweet girls’ choir before the mind-blowing accompaniment started in tremendous earnest with a Bond theme-style suite featuring My Kind of Love and Clown, both of which lit the touch paper for the hugely enthusiastic audience.

It was on with more dynamic creations on Heaven, segwaying neatly into Hurts.

Yes You Can had been arranged with a classical music bridge leading into Survivor – and who but Danford would be capable of using Khachaturian’s Masquerade Ballet Suite in such a marvellously workable way?

 

Much to the delight of the thousands of watchers out front, for Beneath Your Beautiful Sandé duetted with promise-filled young singer Brook Fox who had earlier worked with the evening’s support band – something which went down particularly pleasingly.

 

Mountains followed then it was time for more sensory prodding as a video backdrop contrasting a war-ravaged scene narrated by former Eisteddfod president and supreme man of peace Sir Terry Waite – who was actually in the audience – with shots of the festival’s iconic Parade of Nations, the 2026 version of which had taken place only hours before. Whoever thought of that deserves a huge plaudit too.

 

After High and Lows and a tumultuous Read All About It Pt. III came the inevitable standing ovation, which was for the benefit of the orchestra every bit as much as the star, who was not given permission to quit the glittering Pavilion stage until she’s lavishly paid her exit fee with You Are Not Alone and a massive, hand-clapping-foot-stomping Next to Me, which quite literally had the old joint bouncing.

Latest daily update from the Eisteddfod field and town

llanblogger brings you the third of its daily Eisteddfod updates from in town and around the field yesterday (Friday) ...

* Competitor Regina Casing sings for the judges in a Young Voice of the Future preliminary round at Llangollen Town Hall.  Picture: Kurly Mawaha

* People enjoy the sunshine as

they watch a jamming session by Solo Guy in Centenary Square. Picture: Kurly Mawaha

* The Haaslava Meeskor Choir from Estonia perform on the Unity Stage on the field. Their repertoire includes two Welsh songs -  Calon Lan and Myfanwy both of which they sing in Welsh. Picture: Dennis Reeve

* Well-known Llangollen singer Rose Burgon (left) was the winner of the Young Voice of Musical Theatre competition. Runners-up were Non Alaw Prys (centre) and Anabella Jones.

* The Kiny-Cultura dance group from Indonesia visited Llangollen station from where they travelled the heritage line to Glyndyfrydwy where they were filmed by S4C and before enjoying lunch.  They were competing at the Eisteddfod and came third in the Children's Traditional Folk Dance Group category. An Indonesian government minister accompanying them congratulated both the Eisteddfod and the railway for the way they are bringing international cultures together in peace and harmony.

* The Young People's Chorus of New York City perform in St Collen's Church. Picture: Kurly Mawaha

* Also singing at St Collen's was The Advent Euphonic Chorale of the Phillipines. Picture: Kurly Mawaha

Thousands turn out for Eisteddfod's spectacular Parade of Nations

 

* Dancers from the Punjab enjoy the sunshine.

A record crowd packed the town centre to watch the spectacular Parade of Nations pass by, marking another incredibly successful Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Thousands braved the afternoon's hot sun and temperatures over 30 degrees to see one of the festival's most famous traditions brought to life with all its colour and vitality.

The latest annual celebration of international friendship, music and culture featured a cavalcade of competitors and performers from across the globe joining local groups in a vibrant procession from the Eisteddfod field through the heart of Llangollen.

This year's festival welcomed participants from Burundi, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Estonia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, the Isle of Man, the Netherlands, Norway, Rwanda, Sweden, Uganda, Ukraine and the United States, alongside performers from across Wales and the rest of the UK, highlighting the festival's unique role in bringing the world together through music and dance.

The overseas performers were dressed in a dazzling array of colourful national costumes as they proudly carried their flags and symbols.

Led by Llangollen Silver Band and selected groups from Llangollen schools, the parade followed a route along Abbey Road, crossing the bridge into Bridge Street, turning into Chapel Street, Oak Street, Castle Street, Market Street, East Street and Parade Street before returning over the bridge and back to the Eisteddfod field.

Rapturous applause and cheers broke out as soon as the procession appeared on the famous Llangollen bridge and continued all the way around the town.

The Parade of Nations has become one of the defining images of the Eisteddfod, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to welcome performers proudly wearing their national costumes, carrying their flags and showcasing the rich diversity of cultures represented at the festival.

Eisteddfod Chair John Gambles said: "The Parade of Nations is one of the most uplifting moments of the Eisteddfod week. It is a wonderful celebration of the friendships, cultures and traditions that make our festival so special, and it gives the people of Llangollen the opportunity to offer a warm Welsh welcome to performers who have travelled from every corner of the world.

"Seeing so many nations walking side by side through the streets of Llangollen is a powerful reminder that music has the ability to unite people across borders and cultures.

"It was marvellous to see so many people lining the route on what was a very hot afternoon to see the parade go by and to enjoy once again the incredible atmosphere it created."

Immediately following the parade, spectators were able to continue the celebrations by heading to the Eisteddfod field, where a special £5 admission ticket gives access to the popular Sound-Bridge Sessions on the Globe Stage, including BBC Radio Cymru – Rhys Mwyn's Post Parade Party from 5.00pm.

There are still two action-packed days to enjoy at the 2026 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Saturday is Dance Day, with dance groups from around the world taking centre stage in the Pavilion and across the festival site. The day will be celebrated by one of Britain's most celebrated dancers, Dame Darcey Bussell, who is joining the Eisteddfod as Guest Ambassador.

The festival concludes on Sunday with a full programme of choir competitions before the prestigious Choir of the World final, one of the world's most respected choral competitions. The evening promises to bring another unforgettable Eisteddfod to a close as outstanding choirs from across the globe compete for one of international choral music's highest honours.

* For the full programme and tickets, visit llangollen.net.

Eisteddfod's Parade of Nations hits the road under a blazing sun

* The parade reaches a packed Castle Street. Picture: Ben Tomlinson

* The town mayor, Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam waves to the crowds lining Abbey Road.

The Eisteddfod's big Parade of Nations took place under a blazing sun this afternoon (Friday) and llanblogger was there to capture the scenes as it made its way from the field and along Abbey Road to the town centre. 

* The parade makes its way back to the field after touring the town centre. Picture: Kurly Mawaha

Llangollen fails to make shortlist for UK Town of Culture

* Llangollen Town Council spearheaded the bid for the Town of Culture title.

Llangollen has not made the shortlist for the UK Town of Culture 2028.

The disappointing news came in a formal letter of notification from the competition's chairman Sir Phil Redmond.

Llangollen's tilt at the title, which carries a £3 million first prize, began a few months ago with an exhaustive round of public consultation on how they would like to see the local bid composed.

The application, spearheaded by Llangollen Town Council, was submitted by the deadline of March 31 with everyone involved keeping their fingers crossed for a successful outcome.

But town clerk Gareth Thomas has sent out word this morning that Llangollen had not made the all-important shortlist.

He said: "While this outcome is disappointing, the process has clearly demonstrated the strength of our co working across the community. That collaboration is something we should continue to build on."

According to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which is organising the competition, 15 towns, including Pontypridd and Port Talbot in Wales, have made the list and will now compete for the title.

They are: 

• Small towns: Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward
• Medium towns: Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot
• Large towns: Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham

Sir Phil Redmond said in his letter: "Although you may be disappointed that your application has not been selected, we hope you will regard your participation as a part of a continuing journey rather than a single outcome. The work you and your communities have undertaken has value, and we encourage you to continue building on that work."

Latest update from in and around the Eisteddfod ...

llanblogger brings you the first of its daily Eisteddfod updates from in town and around the field yesterday (Thursday) ...

* Five of the dance groups at the Eisteddfod took part in a preliminary round of the Dancing in the Street competition in Centenary Square during the afternoon, which was a big hit with people who turned up to watch. Pictures above: Kurly Mawaha

... and the winners were the Kurdish Folk Dance Group. Picture: Theo Smallthwaite.

* Arctic Voices from Norway performing a lunchtime concert at St Collen's Church. Picture: Kurly Mawaha

* Competitor Non Prys in a preliminary round the Young Voice of the Future held at Llangollen Town Hall. Pictures above and below: Kurly Mawaha

* Students helping out with the Eisteddfod find shelter from the sun in Castle Street.

* A Ukrainian choir perform on the Pavilion's main stage. Picture: Tom Cusworth.

Sir Terry Waite returns to praise Eisteddfod and speak of his new work

* John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen Eisteddfod (left) and 2026 President Sir Karl Jenkins (centre) welcome Sir Terry Waite to Llangollen.

Six years after he gave up its presidency Sir Terry Waite was back at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on its 2026 opening day, speaking of its vital role in the world and of his continuing humanitarian work in many areas.

Sir Terry rose to international fame when he was held hostage for nearly five years after being captured in Beirut in 1987 while attempting to negotiate the release of other hostages and was ultimately freed in 1991.

Now in his late eighties, he has since devoted his energies to a number of humanitarian causes with the emphasis on bringing peace to a troubled world and its people.

He took on the role of president of the Llangollen Eisteddfod in 2006, became much loved and respected and eventually stepped down in 2020. But he has been a regular visitor to the festival ever since.

He was back once again this year to be greeted by a warm reception from trustees and volunteers and also Sir Karl Jenkins who has become the 2026 Eisteddfod president and was about to feature in the evening’s opening  concert, Uniting Nations: One World.

Sir Terry said: “It's great to be back again because the International Eisteddfod has got a very important role to play in the world by bringing people from different communities together.

“The Eisteddfod has had a very rough time, during Covid and beyond. But it has managed to get back on its feet and it has been absolutely vital that international music goes on.”

He added: “Over the years - and I saw it when I was president -  this festival has faced some very unusual challenges.

“One of them has been getting the people we want to come here from countries that are, some would say, beyond the pale politically, and getting visas for such people is exceptionally difficult and the team here struggle with that problem.

“I remember years ago we got hold of the chief officer in charge of visas in London. We invited him here to speak to us. He saw what was happening and understood the problem. But like all civil servants he was moved on.

“We’re now in an even more complex situation and some of our politicians - I can’t say who but certainly those in prominent people - have not necessarily helped matters at all.

“But I've often said that music has the capacity to breathe harmony into the soul and that's something that Llangollen certainly does.”

Since leaving the Eisteddfod presidency, Sir Terry has continued in his numerous other roles, including as co-founder and president of Hostage International and president of homeless charity Emmaus.

He said: “With Hostage International, one hour before coming here this afternoon I was talking to someone who has been held in arbitrary detention in Iraq for the last five years. I've been trying to help him and we've been giving support to his family. And that's just one of 100 cases that we have.

“Then with the homeless, there's also a lot of work to do. I'm still involved in this. We started off with the portable building and we now have 30 communities around England, Wales and Scotland.

“Then there’s the work I do with the children of war who are often left without parents and left without education. Sometimes they are also highly traumatised.

“When you see what's happening in places like Gaza and others, my goodness ,  so many children  will grow up with no parents, no home, no education, nothing and we have to try and do something about this.”