Carreg Lafar is one of the bands at the forefront of the Welsh traditional music scene. The group has performed throughout Wales, Brittany, the United States and Canada, changing many peoples' view of traditional Welsh music. Through a mix of traditional and original music, Carreg Lafar conveys a fresh and vibrant spirit whilst remaining firmly rooted in the language and living tradition of Welsh song and dance music. The music is arranged for traditional and contemporary instruments including fiddle, flute, pibgorn (hornpipe), bagpipes and guitar, together with dynamic vocals. The group has made three albums with Sain records, 'Ysbryd y Werin', 'Hyn' and 'Profiad'.

Carreg Lafar formed in Cardiff in 1994 with Antwn Owen Hicks, James Rourke, Rhian Evan Jones, Linda Owen Jones and Simon O'shea. Carreg Lafar literally means a speaking stone, or echo stone.

In the summer of 1995 Carreg Lafar made their debut album 'Ysbryd y Werin' with Sain Records. The album was released in November and received great reviews from the folk music press in the UK and North America.

"Ysbryd y Werin is one excellent debut and Carreg Lafar are worth keeping tabs on." Rock 'n' Reel

"By their judicious borrowing, Carreg Lafar might just have done for Welsh music what early Steeleye did for English folk - updated and expanded the tradition." Dirty Linen

In the summer of 1996 the band played their first major festival in Lorient, Brittany, representing Wales at the Interceltic Festival. Ten days of performances culminated in the band supporting the Dan Ar Braz concert 'Heritage of the Celts' to an audience of 10,000 people. In 1997 Carreg Lafar launched Ysbryd y Werin in North America with a two week tour of the States. Since then, the band has returned to North America for three further tours in 1998, 2000 and 2001.

The band's second album 'Hyn' was released on the Sain label in August 1998 and also received rave reviews in all the major folk and roots music magazines in the UK and North America.

"A fine example of Welsh folk music at its best, and one I'd recommend to anyone." Living Tradition.

"Carreg Lafar treat Welsh traditional material with a freshness and a skill that deserves to be heard far and wide." Folk Roots.

"Carreg Lafar is proof that the Welsh tradition is still alive and vibrant today." Dirty Linen.

The band began recording its third album 'Profiad', in April 2001, which was launched at the Lorient Interceltic Festival, Year of Wales, on 3rd August 2002.

"This is the most impressive album yet from Welsh band Carreg Lafar.....excellent arrangements make this stand out as one of the finest albums of Welsh music I have heard." Living Tradition.

"The band are sharp, their playing by turn breathily atmospheric, or paced and driving." Folk Roots.

External links

• Carreg Lafar.
• Welsh pipers Antwn Owen Hicks and Gafin Morgan (Dwylaw Cwyth) and Bagad Pibau Morgannwg.