Musical Connections in The Valleys

From the Manic Street Preachers to Male Voice Choirs...

There’s no doubt that The Valleys have produced some of the best bands in the last decade, including the Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics and most recently the Lostprophets. We are always on the look out for new talent and local clubs and pubs act as a training ground for emerging entertainers. Look out for live band nights and you never know, you could be watching the next big thing to come out of The Valleys. 

For the more traditional, there is nothing better than hearing a Welsh male voice choir to get the real feel of The Welsh Valleys. Originally the choirs were made up of miners but now the members are a mixture of residents from the local community - from all walks of life. Try and catch a performance or a rehearsal and you’ll leave with the sound of Wales singing in your soul.

Anthems and Songs

The Land of My Fathers / Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

The Welsh National Anthem, sung with pride and passion at many major events, is said to have been written on a Sunday morning in Jan 1856. Evan James from Pontypridd wrote the words to a tune composed by his son James James. The date of the song’s adoption as the National Anthem is unknown but it was given prominence at the National Eisteddfod in 1874. Since then is has been considered the best song that expresses the Welsh national sentiments.

The Bells of Rhymney Revisited

 The Bells of Rhymney is perhaps the best known of all the songs to come from the Valleys. You’ve surely heard it. Written in 1957 by folk legend Pete Seeger, the bittersweet ballad was based on lyrics by local poet Idris Davies. It became a folk rock standard recorded by everyone from The Byrds to Cher. There’s now a new version, with words by Patrick Jones, the Valleys’ foremost young poet. It was commissioned by BBC Radio Wales and set to music by Mike Peters of The Alarm.

Here’s a sample:

Now is the time to show our unity

Plead the proud bells of Treorchy

Let us make space to breathe,breathe, breathe

Say the golden bells of Pontypridd

Let’s all vow to learn and renew