MERTHYR RISING – the festival of music, arts and ideas, celebrating the history of radicalism and resistance at the birthplace of the Red flag, Merthyr Tydfil, 26th to 28th May 2017.

Festival director Lyn Williams dropped in to the Peppermint Iguana Studio for a chat about what is instore for 2017 and play some of the bands on this year’s bill.

Listen again to the show through the cloudcast below.

The event marks the 1831 workers uprising. Throughout May 1831 the coal miners and others who worked for William Crawshay took to the streets of Merthyr Tydfil, calling for reform, protesting against the lowering of their wages and general unemployment. Gradually the protest spread to nearby industrial towns and villages and by the end of May the whole area was in rebellion, and it is believed that for the first time the red flag of revolution was flown as a symbol of workers’ revolt.

The event, now in its fourth year, is growing to become a major feature on the calendar of the labour movement, alongside Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival and the Durham Miners Gala. It takes place between the 22nd and 28th May 2017, climaxing in a three day music event in the town centre over the bank holiday weekend.
The event will include political debates, film screenings, art, theater and music. Headliners for the event are The Alabama Three and The Stereo MCs. There will also be a wide range of local beers and food available.

Merthyr Rising Festival and the Peppermint Iguana Radio Show are sponsored by UNISON, the union for public service groovers

For more info, go to http://www.merthyrrising.uk/

To listen to the 2016 special, check out the cloudcast below