THE bleating of sheep and grumble of machinery in and around the slate-quarrying town of Bethesda were replaced by the sounds of some very different creatures this weekend - the Super Furry Animals. And Furries frontman Gruff Rhys acknowledged the bone-shaking bass and volume of the band's music when he dedicated one of the first songs of their set to listeners in Gerlan and Rachub. The strikers who suffered 100 years ago may not have appreciated Cian's dance turn but they would surely have appreciated the bringing together of so many in their name. Cerys took to the stage for 45 minutes before the Furries for a lively set. And the former Catatonia frontwoman showed exactly why she is a great and unique performer, a true star and the proud owner of one of the most exciting voices around. Her new country/folk direction was appreciated. But it was when she really let go and used the power and gravelly resonance of her voice that she managed to send a shiver through the spines of the audience. Despite sound problems which plagued her set she seemed to be really enjoying being on stage. Though heavily pregnant she danced and swung her arms to every song proving why she was the focal point for Catatonia. And with her last song of the evening, a gipsy song, she again unleashed her remarkable voice and danced so much that many must have feared her unborn baby would soon be joining her for a duet. As expected she treated the predominantly Welsh speaking audience to her rendition of Arglwydd Dyma Fi which received a rapturous applause. Then as the midges came out with a renewed and more aggressive appetite the Furries took to the stage amid a riot of cheers. They played a selection of songs from their albums Fuzzy Logic, Radiator, Guerrilla, Mwng and Rings Around The World, with many a favourite including a great rendition of Herman Loves Pauline, the Japanese number one Juxtaposed, Frisbee, Golden Retriever and If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You. But the loudest cheer of the evening was reserved for the song Mountain People, which saw two large, yeti-like super furry animals beating enormous drums to the dance beat. Rumours around the tent abounded that one of the bewigged and costumed drummers was actor Rhys Ifans who had come out to support his former band mates, but neither animal was unveiled. A century ago during the Penrhyn Strike 4,000 men came to hear Keir Hardie, the first socialist MP, make his political point in Bethesda. The general feel on the concert site and in the town was uncannily similar to that during the National Eisteddfod or during Dolgellau's Sesiwn Fawr. But there were others who had travelled from all over Britain to the event and were staying at local B&Bs, campsites and hotels. | 
