Michigan Technological University Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech Publications

4-2020

American Influences at the National Eisteddfod

Mark Rhodes Michigan Technological University, [email protected]

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p

Part of the Anthropology Commons

Recommended Citation Rhodes, M. (2020). American Influences at the National Eisteddfod. Ninnau: The North American Welsh Newspaper, 45(2), 11. Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/1262

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p Part of the Anthropology Commons American Influences at the National Eisteddfod By Dr. Mark Rhodes In the Nov-Dec 2017 issue of Ninnau I asked how we come to develop our sense of national history and identity. In many ways our identities and her - itages are performances. Metaphorically or literally we don costumes, sing anthems, or speak the language as represen - tations of our nation. One institution that has come to define so much of Welsh identity both in Wales and across the diaspora is the eisteddfod. While there are some ongoing controversies – The Tý Gwerin folk music pavilion – seen here at the 2017 Iestyn Tyne, fourth from the left, ‘plays’ a blue butterfly or at least inconsistencies – in National Eisteddfod on Anglesey net during a final song of the Sea Shanty Battles in the heritage and history of the Tý Gwerin in 2017. festival, I focus here on how often referred to as the “Welsh first album in 1962 and Stevens’ more so, as you say, than The pervasiveness of pop, American folk music, activism, Bob Dylan”. As a featured artist in 1965. English pop culture. This may blues, gospel, spirituals, and and popular culture feature in the folk music pavilion, Tý Another folk group with clear be because English culture is American folk clearly influ - strongly in the National Gwerin, Stevens played to an American influence, who hap - unfortunately connected – his - ences the heritage of the Eisteddfod. Below, I explore overflowing standing-room- pen to be touring the US this torically and in the current day Eisteddfod. Iestyn Tyne examples of American influence only in 2018. And while he may March, is Calan. Performing – to the oppression of Welsh described this influence as a upon Welsh folk music and in be referenced as a Welsh Bob both at the 2017 and 2018 culture. In the same way, you cyclical pattern–—one that the next issue of Ninnau, I will Dylan, this reaches beyond his National Eisteddfodau, includ - see far more Welsh poets draw - should be welcomed rather than expand upon these to reveal the musical style to his cutting ing in the headliner supergroup, ing inspiration from American resisted within the broader lasting impacts of Paul Robeson lyrics often aimed at the British Pendevig, Calan brings together and European poetry than from Welsh folk and traditional as well as other African State. For example, “Dic elements of rock, pop, and rap the poetry of our next-door scene, since, of course, most American and Afro-Caribbean Penderyn,” tells the story of the into their traditional five-piece neighbours. There’s also an ele - American folk, pop, and coun - themes. coal miner falsely accused of band. They sing, clog, and play ment of romance there – the try music comes from a rich Naturally, there are serious murder during the Merthyr the harp, accordion, fiddle, unknown and distant land / legacy of European American reservations throughout the Rising of 1831, hanged, and acoustic guitar, bagpipes, pib - Eldorado… and African American music National Eisteddfod of English made a martyr of the Welsh gorn, and other traditional and Despite an emergent pattern traditions: and England’s influence. working class. modern Welsh instruments. of American influence, this I think also that American However, one of my first obser - Interestingly enough, howev - Like the supergroup Pendevig, doesn’t mean England and their folk / country / bluegrass music, vations at the 2017 National er, Stevens musical connections which brought together 15 stars music scene escapes any influ - which in part descends from the Eisteddfod in Anglesey (my to Led Zeppelin indicate a pos - of Welsh folk music in 2018, ence in Wales, as I already hint - folk music of the British Isles, first eisteddfod) was the sheer sible misnomer. Stevens, favor - including all the Calan band - ed with Meic Stevens’ Led has come ‘round in a full loop amount of American influence. ing the heavy slide blues guitar, members, Calan aims to bring Zeppelin influence. The pop and now influences a number of From brass bands on the main - indicates some stylistic connec - traditional Welsh music into the group Eden, stars of the 2017 contemporary folk groups in stage playing Eye of the Tiger, tions to Jimmy Page. John Paul twenty-first century by deliver - Eisteddfod dubbed the Welsh Wales—bands such as Cowbois to dance groups moving to Jones wrote the string arrange - ing existing folk melodies (and Spice Girls, also demonstrates a Rhos Botwnnog and Plu. It is Rhianna, or to Pete Seeger, ment on Stevens first album, their original work) to younger clear English impact. Eden, par - definitely due to the smashing Woody Guthrie, and Cat solidifying the link between the audiences accustomed to the ticularly with their three-women of a few narrow-minded ideas Stevens infiltrating folk perfor - English band and Stevens. But Anglo-American music scene. dance group, heavy pop bass, and rules around ‘what it’s mances, American culture was the connection between Bob The artist Iestyn Tyne, who is and powerful lights and acceptable to do with folk everywhere. Dylan’s maneuvering of folk, also a member of Pendevig as pyrotechnics, clearly draws music’ that this has been Additionally, people often pop, rock ‘n’ roll, and story - well as the band Patrobas, from the Anglo-pop scene in allowed to come about. Long assign American equivalents to telling at least reveals where the responded to some of these their performative style. Their may it continue. Pendevig of top Welsh artists and bands. idea of the Welsh Dylan observations via a recent email recent come-back tour in paral - course draws many influences Besides the blatant connection emerges, whether or not Stevens conversation: lel to the Spice Girls reunion from jazz, funk and drum ‘n of the band Bob Delyn, the was directly influenced in the The impact of American pop only served to reinforce this bass – not exactly native Welsh well-known Meic Stevens is three years between Dylan’s culture is a very real thing, and connection. However, like traditions either. Stevens, or Calan for that mat - Welsh identity and Welsh ter, Eden also brings together heritage today have several traditional elements. Most traces back to American influ - prominently during their 2017 ence, particularly in the music mainstage show was a song scene. By looking at the perfor - where three additional perform - mances at the National Welsh Number Plates ers came onto stage with the Eisteddfod each year, we see so A great response to the request for photos of Welsh license plates. flags of Wales and St. David many of these different cultures and began clogging along to the which add to the richness of the heavy bass rhythm of the pop group. festival, and in the next issue of So, how has Welsh identity Ninnau , I’ll turn my attention and performance dealt with the away from the folk music scene heavy American influx into the and towards two of the featured National Eisteddfod? The events of the 2018 National Cardiff-based musicologist Dr. Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay Sarah Hill also asks in her 2007 which further broaden these cul - book, ‘Blerwytirhwng?’ the tural impacts. Place of Welsh Pop Music, Mark Rhodes is Assistant “How can Welshness be Professor of Geography, defined if it is expressed Michigan Technological Uni- through an adopted Anglo- versity. [email protected] American cultural product?”

Tramor Welsh-A merican Acoustic Project

Solo perform er W els h p ipes , harp, flut es, w his tles and voice Stor yteller, poet, lecturer

Photos sent in by Phil Humphries Welsh teache r & translator Please continue to send photos of license plate with a Welsh connection. Director of Cy manfaoedd Sioni Dda Additional photos were received and will be published in following issues of Ninnau John Good [email protected] potelobop@ hotmail.com www.tramormusic.com 602-5 09-5 223 www.yo utub e.com/TramorMusic

March-April 2020 NINNAU Page 11