Watch: The stirring rendition of Calon Lân that proves we’re the Land Of Song

Saturday night in Cardiff. A sold out crowd. And record takings at the bar.

If there was ever a night where there was to be some rousing singing this was it.

And so it proved – thanks to comic Mike Bubbins and the audience gathered for a live version of the podcast that has been the undisputed hit of lockdown.

The Socially Distant Sports Bar, or Distant Pod as it’s otherwise known, has built up such a huge following since launching in March 2020, the show’s stars comedians Elis James and Mike Bubbins, along with sports broadcaster Steffan Garrero, have now set out on a tour playing to packed houses around the UK.

Their latest stop at Cardiff’s New Theatre last night, was unsurprisingly a noisy affair, No more so than from the stage, where former PE teacher and Elvis Impersonator, turned stand up star Mike Bubbins led the passionate Welsh crowd in a rendition of Calon Lân, much to the delight of the well-oiled audience who joined in with one of the more throatier versions of the much loved song that you will ever hear.

Especially enjoyable is the audience member so taken with emotion he repeats the words ‘oh god’, so overcome is he with Welsh pride.

The mass singalong at the end of the show capped off a brilliant night, which not only underlined how happy we all were to just get out of the house but the love there is for the podcast hit, made in Wales.

Although recorded by three Welshmen, the ‘sports’ podcast has found favour around the globe, with an audience who love the trio’s brand of hilarious tales and improvised comedy, much of which actually has nothing to do with sport.

Loyal audience

Now, 78 shows in, the podcast has taken on a life of its own, thanks to a large and fiercely loyal audience most of whom happily and keenly contribute to the Distant Pod patreon, which allows the podcast to expand its horizons, while keeping Mike in cowboy boots, Elis in Harrington jackets and Steff, who has the unenviable task of editing the weekly shows, in paracetamol.

Last weekend saw the very first Distant Pod live shows at the Hackney Empire as part of a UK tour which will see the trio visit all points in England, Scotland, Ireland and, of course, Wales.

Book tickets for the live tour HERE

Boy Distant Pod merch HERE

Follow @distantpod on Twitter

The Socially Distant Sports Bar is available through Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.