POPULAR Welsh bands will perform on the Maes B stage this year as Wales’ most important rock and pop festival celebrates its 20th birthday.

Since its beginning in 1997, Maes B, part of the Eisteddfod, has been an important venue for Welsh bands in Wales.

With the big birthday in Anglesey this year, organisers were spoilt for choice when choosing the line-up. 

Yws Gwynedd and his band have been given the coveted top slot this year. With a brand new album out within the week, he’ll be showcasing new material on the night – just two days after headlining this year’s Pavilion Gig with Yr Eira, Alys Williams, Mr Phormula, Welsh Pops Orchestra, presented by Huw Stephens.

Maes B organiser Guto Brychan, said,:“The scene is very strong at the moment, and lots of the bands have large followings.  All these bands will be performing at Maes B this year.

“It was very important for us to make sure we’ve got strong line-ups this year as we’ll be celebrating #MaesB20. 

"And I think we’ve managed to organise a programme which shows the scene at its best, combining well known names with a few newer bands. 

“It’s great to be able to do this and give some of the younger bands who are proving themselves gigging around Wales a chance to appear on the scene’s biggest stage.

“We’ll definitely be looking back over the past 20 years over the next few months, and we celebrate the fact we have so many strong bands and artists in Wales at the moment as we announce the 2017 Maes B line-up.”

The line up inlcudes: Wednesday, August 9: Candelas, Ffug, Cpt Smith, Chroma; Thursday, August 10: Bryn Fôn a’r Band, Fleur de Lys, Calfari, Ffracas; Friday, August 11: S?nami, Yr Eira, Ysgol Sul, Hyll; Saturday, August 12: Yws Gwynedd, Y Reu, HMS Morris, Brwydr y Bandiau winners.

Maes B tickets are on sale from 10am, Monday, April 3.  Go to www.maesb.com for more information or ring 0845 4090 800.  Early bird bargain tickets available until June 30. 

For more information on the Eisteddfod go to www.eisteddfod.wales.