Y Blew
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Aberystwyth , Wales, United Kingdom |
| Products | Welsh-language rock music |
Y Blew (translated as The Hairs) was a pioneering Welsh rock band established in 1967, notable for being the first to perform rock music in the Welsh language. Although their existence was brief and they released just one single, their influence on the Welsh music scene was profound.
The group consisted of five students from University of Aberystwyth: Maldwyn Pate (vocals), Richard Lloyd (lead guitar), Dafydd Evans (bass), Dave Williams (keyboards), and Geraint Evans (drums). Their name reflected the then-trendy long-haired style popular among youth.
To support their recording sessions and touring ambitions, they raised £2,000 and made their live debut at the Memorial Hall in Talybont during Easter 1967. That same year, Y Blew completed three separate tours, including an appearance at the National Eisteddfod held in Bala.
Their only single, Maes B, was released in the summer of 1967. The band actively marketed their performances using eye-catching posters, flyers, and billboards. Although they disbanded before the year ended, Y Blew left a lasting mark; their memorabilia is now curated by the National Library of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales.
Formation
In the early 1900s, Welsh-language music was largely dominated by male choirs and traditional vocal styles. Popular music tended to be light acoustic folk without much influence from contemporary Anglo-American trends.
During the 1950s and 1960s, growing social activism—prompted by events such as the flooding of Welsh-speaking communities for projects like the Llyn Celyn reservoir—boosted support for Welsh language rights. The founding of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) exemplified this cultural shift. It became apparent that Welsh cultural expression needed modernization to appeal to younger audiences.
Mae eisiau i bobol sgrechian mewn Cymraeg sâl
We need to get people to scream in bad Welsh – Y Blew
In 1986, Dafydd Evans explained that Y Blew’s goal was to engage both Welsh speakers and those indifferent to politics, sparking a vibrant Welsh-language music movement.
Before Y Blew emerged, Maldwyn Pate had tried forming a band called 'Y Pedwar Cainc' in 1966 with fellow students; however, their amplified sound initially faced opposition. When Y Blew formed in 1967, they quickly gained traction with shows in Aberystwyth and Talybont, leading to extensive touring that summer.
Tours
Y Blew independently organized three successful tours across south Wales during June, July, and August–September 1967, emphasizing professional management. Without access to rented PA systems or vehicles, they obtained loans to buy their own equipment and van. They also hired security personnel instead of relying on friends or volunteers, which was uncommon at Welsh-language events. Large advertising billboards and thousands of flyers bearing the slogan "Mae'r Blew yn dod" (Y Blew are coming) were distributed widely.
Their concerts attracted large crowds, often drawing nearly all local youth eager for a Welsh-language rock experience. After one performance, enthusiastic female fans decorated their van with lipstick messages.
Due to limited time for original songwriting, the band translated well-known songs into Welsh:
We did covers from Sergeant Pepper translated into Welsh, we even did 'San Francisco' by Scott McKenzie in Welsh, and some by Cream, that sort of thing and some of our own, particularly stuff that gave the guitarist Richard Lloyd a chance. He was quite a good player, the style at the time was to stand right up to the amp to get feedback – Dafydd Evans
Bala Eisteddfod, 1967
The band's only appearance north of Corris took place at the 1967 Eisteddfod festival held in Bala. Their set was performed on 'Maes B,' a campsite designated for younger festival-goers, where they incorporated psychedelic influences into an event largely rooted in tradition.
Band dissolution
Y Blew continued performing until Christmas of 1967 before the group disbanded. Vocalist Maldwyn Pate relocated to New York to pursue a career as a choreographer, while guitarist Rick Lloyd eventually became a member of the a cappella ensemble The Flying Pickets, known for topping the UK charts at Christmas 1983 with their rendition of Yazoo's "Only You."
After Y Blew's breakup, it was nearly five years before new Welsh-language rock bands such as Brân and Edward H. Dafis appeared on the scene.
It took some time for the realization to set in. The mindset among Welsh speakers was centered around 'Peralau Tâf', 'Y Peldyrau' (acoustic folk groups) ... that was the prevailing style then. – Dafydd Evans, 1986 interview.
"Maes B" single
Rather than recording with Cambrian Records, Y Blew chose to work with Qualiton in Pontardawe due to superior studio capabilities at BBC Swansea.
The single’s A-side, titled "Maes B" after the Eisteddfod field where they performed, includes psychedelic-themed lyrics such as: pam 'na nei di ddod 'da fi i weld y tylwyth teg a chael clywed cloc y dref yn taro tair ar ddeg (why not come with me to see the fairies and hear the town clock strike thirteen).
Composed by Dave Williams with contributions from Maldwyn Pate on the night before recording, "Maes B" features a drum introduction influenced by Motown rhythms. Both tracks were laid down quickly as the band hurried to two shows in Aberystwyth later that evening; notably, the drummer had never heard "Maes B" before recording. A minor vocal mistake—singing 'Snos' rather than 'Nos'—was left uncorrected due to time constraints.
The group sought a heavier sound reminiscent of Cream or Jimi Hendrix's "Hey Joe," but technical limitations in the studio hindered their ability to fully realize this vision.
About 2,000 copies of the single were pressed. Although radio exposure was limited—Welsh-language broadcasts were scarce and largely controlled from London—the release was reviewed on the newly established BBC Radio 1. However, the panel dismissed it as a novelty because Welsh held little prestige at that time.
Dafydd Evans noted: Sales were decent in south Wales, but since we didn’t play in the north, sales there were lower.
Side 2 – "Beth Sy'n Dod Rhyngom Ni"
The flip side of the record features "Beth Sy'n Dod Rhyngom Ni (what comes between us)," Y Blew’s adaptation of Curtis Mayfield’s "You Must Believe Me." The band discovered this track on The Spencer Davis Group’s The Second Album. Originally recorded by Mayfield with his trio The Impressions, it reached number 15 on the U.S. Billboard charts in 1964 and also appeared on The Impressions’ album People Get Ready.
The song was later covered by Trwynau Coch (Red Noses) on their 1980 album Rhedeg Rhag y Torpidos (Run from the Torpedoes) (1980, SAIN-1186M).
Tributes and Homages to "Maes B"
After 1967, Y Blew attracted minimal attention as the Welsh language music scene expanded with the emergence of bands such as Brân and Edward H Davis, which formed approximately five years later.
In 1986, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg released a fanzine titled Hanes y Blew, containing a comprehensive interview with Dafydd Evans, along with archival press clippings and photographs.
A television documentary aired on S4C in 1987 highlighted Y Blew’s original performances and interviews. That same year, the founding members reunited to re-record "Maes B" in a contemporary studio setting. The National Eisteddfod's return to Bala also took place in 1987, with media coverage acknowledging both "Maes B" and Y Blew. In recognition of the band, the festival designated its rock music stage and campsite as 'Maes-B.'
Entities Named After Maes B
- Maes B – The name given to the National Eisteddfod’s rock music stage and campsite, honoring Y Blew’s legacy.
- Maes E – A track released in 1997 by Datblygu, alluding to the 1990s rave culture drug ecstasy.
- Maes D – The pavilion at the Eisteddfod dedicated to Welsh language learners; the 'D' stands for Dysgwyr (Learners).
- MaesE.com – A Welsh language online community platform established in 2002 by Nic Dafis.
- Maes T – An online resource serving as a standardized terminology database for Welsh language technology.
External links
- Maes B – Y Blew performance on YouTube
- Beth Sy'n Dod Rhyngom Ni available on YouTube
- Maes-E by Datblygu on YouTube
- You Must Believe Me by The Impressions on YouTube
- Second Album by Spencer Davies Group on YouTube
- The track "Maes B" appears on the compilation CD Degawdau Roc (1967–82), released by Recordiau Sain in 2004, catalogue number SCD2376
Dafydd Evans’ Publication
- Y Blew a Buddugoliaeth Gwynfor (Y Blew and Gwynfor’s Victory – memoirs by Dafydd Evans), published by Y Lolfa
- Collection of Y Blew memorabilia held at the National Library of Wales