Gruff Rhys: American Interior

The Super Furry Animal frontman recently retraced the route that his distant relative John Evans undertook as he set out to find the mythical Welsh-speaking Native Americans of the Great Plains, themselves distant relatives of the 12th century Welsh prince Madoc, who legend has it, sailed to America with fellow Welshmen and women…

Not surprisingly, Rhys has quite a bit of fun with this, beginning his ‘investigative concert’ with a slightly dated BBC documentary on the subject, before mixing up a cheap and cheerful powerpoint presentation with songs from the accompanying album, American Interior. Performed solo and on acoustic guitar, Rhys’s musical limitations are show up somewhat, but he has always had a way with a melody, and his rich Welsh accent enhances the dry wit of the ‘talk’.

It’s the kind of lecture you might have wished for while in education… Wholesome, light-hearted fun.

Friday 16 May, Brighton Dome Corn Exchange

Rating:

Jeff Hemmings