An iconic Welsh language folk-singer has spoken for the first time of a row that blew up after he made a comment about Muslims during a concert in Caernarfon.
During the gig in July at the Market Hall Meic Stevens remarked there were ‘only a handful of white people’ on his granddaughter’s school bus in Cardiff.
He denied any racist intent after his on-stage comment at the Gwyl Arall festival sparked a social media backlash but has not spoken openly about the incident until now.
In a new S4C programme to be shown this evening (Saturday, October 19) at 9pm the troubadour from Solva will share his life in all its honesty and examine the comments he made at Caernarfon in detail.
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During the 75-minute programme Stevens reveals he didn’t realise there was any issue during the gig and it was only the following morning he realised concerns had been raised.
The comments followed a parody of Y Brawd Houdini, one of his most famous songs, which included the names of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump.
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
Blaming social media for blowing up the row he said insisted he had done nothing wrong.
“There was nothing to apologise about. I hadn’t done what they said I’d done. If I had apologised it would mean I had something to apologise about” he said.
Asked if he had learnt anything from the incident he added: “I’ve learned something about the web and something about the people of Caernarfon but the damage has been done.”.
Friends said Stevens, during gigs, says the first thing that comes into his mind.
“He doesn’t have a filter on what comes out of his mouth,” said bass guitarist Mark ‘Cwn’ Jones.
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The idea for the film came from Guto Williams, who has also produced films on fellow folk singer Meredydd Evans and poet Gerallt Lloyd Owen.
“There have been many films on Meic Stevens in the past, but none maybe as personal as this one. No one has ever gained access to his life in such a way before,” he said.
Meic Stevens at the St Davids concert at Mona Anglesey
Referring to the allegations Meic Stevens made racist comments during his performance at Caenarfon Mr Williams added: “The allegations happened at the end of the filming process and it was unavoidable to include that in the film.
“He was a different person after the allegations. I give him the opportunity to explain himself in the film.”
The 77-year-old has been a controversial figure all of his life, and in the programme admits “I don’t know the person I am now”
The programme, Meic Stevens: Dim Ond Cysgodion, intertwines archive content from his early life in Solva, Manchester and Cardiff, with original, contemporary content including his time suffering with throat cancer seven years ago.
“I was a very different man before cancer when I was 70. I don’t feel like the same person, I don’t know him. I haven’t lived with him for a long time – he’s only 7-years-old.
“After the treatment process, my head was everywhere. When they said that I would come through it, I had to re-learn how to sing, because the treatment harmed my throat. I wasn’t able to speak,” he said.
Meic Stevens: Di Ond Cysgodion is on S4C at 9pm on Saturday, October 19. English subtitles will be available.
