The shortlist has been announced for Cân i Gymru 2026, which is taking place at the Anglesey Showground at the end of the month.

Eight songs have been chosen for the final of the annual contest, which will be hosted at Mona for the first time in ten years on Saturday 28th February.

Elin Fflur and Trystan Ellis-Morris present the show with the juding panel chaired by Candelas frontman Osian Huw Williams, himself a former co-winner.

Joining Osian on the judging panel this year are Barry ‘Archie’ Jones from Celt, singer songwriter Mali Hâf, presenter Mirain Iwerydd and Gwilym lead singer, Ifan Pritchard.

The winnng composer will get a £5,000 prize and the trophy, with the runner up receiving £3,000 and a third prize of £2,000.

The eight songs are:

1. Storm Heno ('Storm Tonight') by Rhodri Lloyd Evans
   Composed by the headteacher of Ysgol Pentrefoelas, Rhodri lives in Bylchau near Denbigh and loves composing. The story behind the song is that the things in life catch up with everyone and there is a consequence to that.
   Rhodri hopes the catchy song will stay in the listeners' minds - and he’s promised his pupils that he’ll buy two turtles for Ysgol Pentrefoelas if he won! Rhodri will perform the song on the night.
2. Chwilio am Ffordd Adra ('Searching for a Way Home') by Geth Tomos, Henry Priestman, John Beck, Adam Dennis and Emlyn Gomer
   This is the first time that Geth and Emlyn (who wrote the lyrics) have worked together after they met in the 2022 Cân i Gymru competition where Emlyn came third with the song 'Rhyfedd o Fyd' and Geth second with the song 'Cana Dy Gân'.
   The song discusses life experiences such as failure, but there’s hope and that hope is the song’s message. Lowri Evans will perform the song.
3. Dalen Newydd ('New Leaf') by Rhi Jorj and Gwynedd Maesywaun
   The artist from Bala and former member of the bands Amledd and Ust, Rhi Jorj, is the composer of the song 'Dalen Newydd'. Rhi is a former teacher at Ysgol Y Berwyn, but now composes full time. The poet Gwynedd Huws Jones (Gwynedd Maesywaun) wrote the song’s lyrics.
   The story behind the song is that everyone deserves a new chapter, whatever happens in life. The hope is that there will be a time when peace comes to everyone. Rhi Jorj will perform the song on the night.
4. Dwisho Deud ('I'll Say') by Ruby a DJ Endaf
   The artist from Deiniolen, Ruby, and DJ and music producer from Caernarfon, Endaf, are the composers of the song 'Dwisho Deud'.
   The two met when Endaf was working at Coleg Menai and Ruby was in a band at the college. This is the duo’s second project together after releasing the song 'To You, From Me' last year.
   The song 'Dwisho Deud' is about the things that someone wants to say to an old friend who isn’t a friend any more. Ruby will perform the song on the night.
5. Byd Fy Hun ('My Own World') by Dan Williams
   Dan Williams, former member of the bands Y Promatics and Hudo, is the composer of the song 'Byd Fy Hun'. Originally from Groeslon, but now living in Cardiff, Dan loves composing songs and 'Byd Fy Hun' is a pop song about a relationship that has ended and how to move on.
   This is the first time that Dan has performed on his own without a band, and is really looking forward to stepping on the Cân i Gymru stage.
6. Hiraeth by Lowri Clancy Davies
   Lowri Clancy Davies is the composer of the song 'Hiraeth'. Lowri moved from Wales to Dungarvan in Ireland at the age of 10 and grew up listening to folk music.
   The song is about Lowri's experience traveling around the world and leaving friends and family behind, and the longing she has for them and her home in Wales.
   Lowri's father, Ryland Teifi, won the Cân i Gymru competition 20 years ago in 2006 with the song 'Lili'r Nôs'. Lowri will perform the song on the night with her sister, Cifa.
7. Y Gwanwyn Bach ('The Little Spring') by Rhydian Meilir
   Rhydian is a familiar face to the competition and reached the competition's shortlist in 2012 with 'Cynnal y Fflam', in 2019 with 'Gewn ni Weld Sut Eith Hi', two songs on the 2020 shortlist - 'Pan Byddai'n 80 Oed' and 'Tir a'r Môr' – and then won in 2022 with 'Mae Yna Le'.
   The poet Myrddin ap Dafydd wrote the words before Rhydian put the melody together and produced the song. Jacob Elwy and Lleucu Gwawr will perform the song.
8. Y Gan ('The Song') by Geth Tomos, Henry Priestman and Emlyn Gomer
   This is the second song by the trio that has reached the shortlist this year. Emlyn lost 3 friends very suddenly and that was at the back of his mind when writing the lyrics.
   The line ‘Ond er bod bywyd wedi dwyn dy lais’ (‘But even though life has stolen your voice') moved the song onwards. Geth describes it as an anthem of a song. Singer Sara Owen will perform the song.

Fleur De Lys will open the show and there will be a special performance from Cordia, ten years after they won the competition with the song ‘Dim Ond Un.’

Like last year, viewers can vote by using the free online voting system.

Voting can be done using a computer, tablet, or smart phone, using the voting link: s4c.cymru/canigymru. The only requirements is internet connection and a valid email address.

For those voting via smart phone, a QR code will be displayed on-screen during the live broadcast to direct viewers straight to the voting website. Once on the page, viewers can click on the voting box to select their favourite. Only one vote per email address is allowed.

After confirming their choice and casting their vote by following the steps to enter their name, postcode, and email address, viewers will then need to verify their email to complete the process.

Cân i Gymru 2026, an Afanti production, will be on S4C, S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 28 February at 8pm with English subtitles available.

Free audience tickets for this live show are available online until 27th February.