Dathliad Cymru Affrica

Susan had spotted Ibibio Sound Machine coming to Neuadd Ogwen, and she suggested we went. They would play in the weekend festival that celebrated African music. Ibibio Sound Machine would play on the Saturday. Nick would be there that weekend, and he was up for it too. 

We wanted to know what time Ibibio Sound Machine would play, but that information seemed to not be available. So I decided to just go and ask on the Friday, as the festival would already have started, so there would be someone at the door. And there wasn’t, but there was a poster outside that gave the times. That was good! What wasn’t was that Ibibio Sound Machine wouldn’t start until 10pm. That’s bedtime! 

The plan was that Sue and Dean would come down to mine at 18:30, we would have takeaway together, and after dinner we would just go. And we did it that way. 

It was exciting to introduce Nick to Sue and Dean. A pity Martin hadn’t wanted to join. And we could go and pick up the food we had ordered online. It was a veritable feast! And I made sure to drink a lot of tea afterwards. Then we tidied up and went next door. 

We got in when the second-last band: Sabary Kagnin, was starting. After getting drinks we went in. They were really good! They were a large band from Guinea, with a modern drum kit and bass, but otherwise African instrumentation. And a dancer. And they rocked it! I wasn’t in much of a dancing mood, but that totally wasn’t their fault. 

Sabary Kagnin

When they were done there was a break. Ibibio Sound Machine started a bit later than scheduled. And they were good! But I had to admit they weren’t quite as exciting as the previous band. I did recognise several of their songs this time though. That was nice! 

Ibibio Sound Machine

At some point they were done. And of course they came back for an encore. I was sure it would be their current hit ‘17,18,19’. But it was ‘pull the rope’! Surely then they would do two songs in the encore? They walked away again. And a bloke in the organisation climbed on stage and tried to incite the crowd to incite the band to do one last song. And that would surely have been ‘17,18,19’. But other people appeared on the other Side of the floor, yelling at him and gesturing at him that he couldn't do that. They really had to stop! That was a bit of a pity.

When we brought our glasses back I saw the man who had been at the door. He confirmed that their license still only allowed them to make noise until 11 pm. It was 11:30! Oh dear.

We were all well and truly ready for bed. All of us are early sleepers! And Sue and Dean still had to walk home, in the rather inclement weather. I don't think any of us were up at our usual time the next morning. But I know now what band to keep an eye on for next year’s episode of this celebration. It would be nice to go see Sabary Kagnin again, and then be mentally prepared!