Musical memories of Dafydd Meirion Roberts of Ar Log’s college days

Tickets available here: UMCB 50 Dafydd Meirion Roberts :Dyddiau Coleg – Atgofion drwy Gerddoriaeth Tickets, Sat, Jan 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

This will be a Welsh Language talk with simultaneous.translation available

With the folk band Ar Log celebrating half a century since its founding in 1976, it is a privilege to welcome Dafydd Meirion Roberts to share his memories through the music while a student at Bangor University.  This celebration also coincides with the establishment of the Bangor Welsh Students’ Union in the same year.

The talk will be an opportunity to hear Dafydd’s recollections of his contribution to the vibrant culture of Welsh music while he was a student. This musical journey will begin with Dafydd joining his brother Gwyndaf in the innovative heavy Christian rock band, Yr Atgyfodiad, playing the flute. Following this, he joined the group Brân, where he played drums and flute, alongside John Gwyn, Nest Howells, and his brother Gwyndaf. Brân competed in the Can i Gymru competition in 1975, winning, and then had the opportunity to compete in the Pan Celtic Festival in Killarney. Brân also won there, defeating the Irish group Clannad.

While a student, Dafydd played in one of recently opened Theatr Gwynedd’s first touring shows, Harping Around, before becoming a prominent musician in Sain’s recording sessions at their studio in Gŵern Afalau, playing on a number of singles and LPs by well-known artists such as Dafydd Iwan, Mynediad Am Ddim, and Miss Asbri, Alwen Pritchard, before recording Brân ‘s first album, Ail Ddechrau. The discussion will also cover Dafydd’s contribution, as a student, to the campaign for language status at the University, before forming the popular folk band Ar Log.