Taff Rapids

Bluegrass, from Wales

Taff Rapids are Cardiff’s bluegrass sensation, delivering a high-energy fusion of original bluegrass songwriting, driving instrumentation, and a distinctly Welsh twist. Singing with both English and Welsh lyrics with tight harmonies and instrumental firepower, the band - Darren Eedens, Siôn Russell Jones, David Grubb, and Clem Saynor - have carved out their own corner of the genre with their signature Blŵgras sound.

The band’s international profile has risen rapidly. They have officially showcased at IBMA World of Bluegrass (USA) - the first Welsh act to take part - and Folk Alliance International (Canada), building strong momentum across North America. Their European presence has expanded in parallel, with performances at major festivals including Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Green Man, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Sesiwn Fawr, La Roche, Rotterdam, Beardy Folk Festival, Fire in the Mountain, The Magpies Festival, and many more across the UK and EU. Their dynamic live show - rooted in tradition but unmistakably their own - has helped establish them as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging live folk acts.

Media support has been equally strong. Taff Rapids have received regular airplay on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio Wales, and BBC Radio Cymru alongside television appearances on BBC Two, BBC Four, and S4C, including coverage of their National Eisteddfod performance. Their debut album Blŵgras (2025) has earned praise in Songlines and R2 Magazine, marking an important milestone in the development of their original repertoire.

With successful UK, European, and Canadian tours already behind them - and a growing network of international supporters - Taff Rapids continue to expand their global footprint. Their blend of Welsh folk influence, bluegrass tradition, and modern songwriting has struck a chord with audiences worldwide, positioning them at the forefront of the new wave of transatlantic contemporary bluegrass.

Blŵgras, o Gymru.

Taff Rapids yw’r band bluegrass cyffrous o Gaerdydd. Yn cyflwyno cymysgedd egnïol a hyderus o ganeuon gwreiddiol a chyfansoddiadau offerynol sy'n arddangos hunaniaeth y grŵp fel pŵerdy yn y byd cerddoriaeth gwerin.

Gyda chaneuon yn y Gymraeg a’r Saesneg, mae Taff Rapids yn cyfuno harmonïau clós â perfformiadau offerynol technegol, ac mae'n wir dweud bod y band - Darren Eedens, Siôn Russell Jones, Dave Grubb a Clem Saynor wedi gwneud eu marc ei hunain ar y genre, gan fathu'r term “Blŵgras” i ddisgrifio eu harddull a sain arbennig.

Mae proffil rhyngwladol y band wedi codi’n gyflym yn dilyn gwahoddiad i’r arddangosfa cerddoriaeth IBMA World Of Bluegrass (USA) - y grŵp cyntaf o Gymru i chwarae’r wŷl fawreddog ac enwog hon. Mi oedd sawl cyfle i’r grŵp wedi deillio o hyn, gan gynnwys Folk Alliance international (Canada) a sawl gwŷl nodedig arall ardraws Ewrop. Ymddangosodd Taff Rapids yn Festival Interceltique de Lorient (Llydaw), Dyn Gwyrdd (Cymru), Purbeck Valley Folk Festival (Lloegr), La Roche (Ffrainc), Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival a llawer mwy yn 2025, a helpodd i sefydlu’r band fel un o fandiau byw mwyaf cyffrous Y Deyrnas Unedig.

Mae cefnogaeth y cyfryngau wedi bod yn allweddol: Mae caneuon Taff Rapids wedi cael eu chwarae yn rheolaidd ar yr awyr, yn cynnwys BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio Wales a BBC Radio Cymru. Ochr yn ochr â hyn, gweler ymddangosiadau teledu ar BBC Two, BBC Four ac S4C a roddodd sylw benodol i'w perfformiad yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol 2025.

Mae albwm cyntaf y band, “Blŵgras”, wedi denu sylw cylchgrawn Songlines, gyda chylchgrawn R2 yn nodi bod hon yn garreg filltir bwysig i ddatblygiad caneuon gwreiddiol y band.

Gyda theithiau llwyddiannus yn y DU, Ewrop a Chanada o dan eu cap, a rhwydwaith gynyddol o gefnogwyr rhyngwladol, mae Taff Rapids yn parhau i adael marc byd-eang.

Mae eu cymysgedd o ddylanwadau gwerinol Cymru, traddodiad blŵgras a chyfansoddi caneuon modern wedi taro tant gyda’r gynulleidfa ryngwladol - gan osod y band ar flaen y gad yn y don newydd o gerddoriaeth blŵgras cyfoes a thrawsatlantig.