Legendary singer/songwriter Sir Van Morrison will headline at Llangollen International Eisteddfod tonight.
With hits including Brown Eyed Girl and Jackie Wilson Said, the Northern Irish instrumentalist will perform his best loved songs.
This year’s event, which started on Tuesday and runs until Sunday, July 8 will see as many as 50,000 visitors from around the world descend on the picturesque Denbighshire town.
Some 4,000 performers are taking part across the week.
This weekend will see live performances from chart toppers the Kaiser Chiefs and hit rockers Toploader.
The musical extravaganza also features baroque instrumental group Red Priest and award-winning Welsh folk band Calan.
The annual festival has seen performances from the finalists of the renowned International Voice of the Future Competition where competitors battle it out for the prestigious classical title, and a share of the £10,000 prize fund.
International competitors from across the globe united for the famous Procession of the Nations, which sees thousands of giant flags parade through the town.
Winners of the week’s main choral competitions will compete for the titles of Choir of the World 2018 and the Pavarotti Trophy in a heated finale tomorrow (SAT).
On Thursday, Dr Olwen Williams was honoured as Day President at the festival.
The consultant physician in genitourinary/HIV medicine took up the prestigious role on the 70th birthday of the NHS.
During her speech she asked her audience to join in a round of applause to honour the tireless work of NHS staff on the service’s milestone anniversary.
The NHS choir, staff and music stars from throughout the UK joined in a national live singalong last night to celebrate its 70 years.
The Royal Pavilion came alive with the Beatles classic, ‘With a Little Help from my Friends’, as the singalong finale, led by Colleen Nolan and Love Island star Amber Davies.
Elsewhere, a former Llangollen souvenir shop owner who made it her mission to visit the town’s International Musical Eisteddfod every year was over the moon when one of the most colourful and melodic acts from this year’s event gave a concert at the care home where she now lives.
Nancy Povey, 90, a talented pianist and music lover, said she was delighted to listen to the Aroha Junior Choir perform for residents at Hillbury House Care Home, Wrexham.
The choir hail from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya province in north east India and this year is their first visit to the annual festival at Llangollen which attracts competitors from all over the world and promotes the message of peace and friendship through music and dance.
Meanwhile, local secondary school, Ysgol Dinas Brân was selected to participate in its annual peace initiative.
Performing on the main Royal Pavilion stage, the school delivered the International Eisteddfod message of peace in a performance of mime and narration, complete with a song entitled ‘Peace at Last.’
Young people of Llangollen have presented a peace message to the world since 1952.
Sunday, July 8 will see the finale party Llanfest kick off with performances from multi-platinum indie pop legends Kaiser Chiefs, supported by renowned pop rock band, The Hoosiers and nineties icons, Toploader.
There will also be live performances from competitors, emerging bands, musicians and street performers from across the globe, as well as activities to entertain the children and food, drink and local craft stalls.
For more information, visit www.llangollen.net
Llangollen Eisteddfod Results 2018
Wednesday, July 4
Junior Children’s Choirs
1. Cor Iau Glanaethwy, Bangor (score 89)
2. Hymers College Junior School, Hull (score 87.7)
3. Deansfield Primary School, Eltham (score 87)
Children’s Folk Song Choirs
1. Cantabile Hereford Cathedral School, Hereford (score 89.7)
2. Seattle Girls Choir, Seattle (score 87.7)
3. British Columbia Girls Choir, Metro Vancouver (score 87)
International Voice of the Future
1. Charlotte Hoather, England (score 97)
2. Christian Bautista, Philippines (score 96
3. Rachael Marsh, Wales (score 95)
International Voice of Musical Theatre
1. Mared Williams, Wales (score 98)
2. Kade Bailey, Canada (score 96)
3. Megan-Hollie Robertson, Wales (score 94)
