Music On The Meadow 2005 Review
Notoriously, you can be sure that you can never be sure of welsh weather. While setting up during the two days before last year’s Music on the Meadow, we looked out at the misty drizzle from under cover and wondered if we would be singing in the rain. Never to be beaten by a few spots of rain, additional marquees were put up and the show went on. There were a few light showers but luckily the evening began with a clear sky, familiar faces in the audience and some new faces on stage.
Having created an outdoor stage area once, it was a little easier to plan the transformation of Wernwyn Meadow for a second time. If the idea of a picnic-style concert was new to some members of the audience in 2004, by 2005 the idea was starting to catch on. Comfier chairs and heavier picnic baskets were carried onto the field by the YFC members who were drafted in to offer a helping hand to members of the audience. Some had set up a full dining service, enjoying fresh salmon under the stars, whereas a Chinese takeaway arrived for one party!
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The entertainment began with Builth Male Voice Choir. The audience enjoyed a traditional programme, including some hymns and other well-known favourites. They were followed by Elethrid, who just made it following a few mishaps and broken guitar strings! It was worth the wait, though, and in the mean time the audience certainly relished the opportunity to hear a few more tales from the compere for the evening, Rev. Phillip Morris. Anwen and Owen sang popular duets, some country, some pop, before Eluned Miles took to the stage. She gave a performance of energy with big show-stoppers before glasses were refilled at the bar during the interval.
The natural setting of Music on the Meadow is at its best at the beginning of the second part of the concert. The candle and torchlight is moody, the sound is somehow crisper and the performances grow. The audience relaxed as the same performers from act one sang again. The night appeared to be reaching a climax with the national anthem, and indeed, many headed for home. But, those who stayed enjoyed another concert in its entirety in the bar later. The folk drums and guitars of Elethrid teamed up with Builth Male Voice and the audience. You know you’re in when you think you’ve seen the best of the concert and then the performers just play and sing some more.
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