Unlocked/Datgloi is an album of 10 songs, created by 10 different communities, working with 5 Live Music Now musicians, over 5 Welsh counties, strengthening connections with their local area through sung stories of local heritage.
The song was written with members of the Men's Shed Maesteg, supported by Awen Cultural Trust in response to Maesteg Town Hall, Bridgend. An integral part of the story and history of the town, the venue hosted everyone from coal miners to cultural icons and the building remains a vital landmark for the Llynfi Valley and the people who live there. The town of Maesteg grew around the ironworks in the early 19th century but coal would eventually take over as the town's biggest export. The miners played an important role in the development of the Town Hall, donating a days wage towards the completion of the building.
Since opening in 1881 Maesteg Town Hall has been the centre of cultural events for the valley. Historic figures as diverse as Sylvia and Emmeline Pankhurst and Arnold Schwazenegger have visited the hall over the years. It became a grade ll listed building in 1997 and is currently undergoing major development.
John Nicholas is a singer/songwriter from Bridgend playing piano, guitar and loop pedal. He came 2nd out of 20k people in the 2015 Open Mic Championships when he launched his solo career. He has been a Live Music Now Musician since 2015.
lyrics
Alright On The Night
It’s Saturday night in Maesteg Town,
Footsteps are shuffling on stone,
There’s a dance at the local town hall,
That the miners built for us all,
Two tickets please sir, who’s on tonight?
there’s a lad from ponty you’ll see
He sings all the classics, sinatra & Elvis
It’ll cost you 40p
It was where we went for a good time,
It was where we went for a pint,
And when life got too busy and the pressure ran high,
It’ll be alright on the night.
Its at the heart of the town, and this town’s in our hearts
You'll have a tough time if you weren’t from round here
There would be music and dancing, even boxing & wrestling
And carols to spread Christmas cheer
In the war it was home to the wounded,
at the heart Maesteg’s home front,
And the building’s never lost its lift giving power,
We sang all night as a result
So we’ll stay in the hall for the evening,
Where the barmen were busier than ever,
And the bouncers who didn’t take no messing,
Made sure it’s alright on the night
You’ll hear the sound of excitement as the young people dance,
And the shouts as the fighting breaks out,
And the various choirs perfecting their art,
Singing out “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau”
credits
from Unlocked / Datgloi,
released July 30, 2021
John Nicholas - vocals, guitar
Live Music Now is the UK's leading musicians development and outreach charity, bringing exceptional live music to communities who wouldn't normally be able to access it. www.livemusicnow.org.uk
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