Date set for the fifth anniversary of Welsh Language Music Day
Music fans across Wales encouraged to ‘get the party started’ and host their own Welsh language music gig
Music fans across Wales can start the party to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day – Dydd Miwsig Cymru’s fifth birthday, with the help of the Noson Allan/Night Out fund.
Wales and the world will celebrate the fifth annual Welsh Language Music Day – Dydd Miwsig Cymru – on Friday 7th February 2020 with gigs all over the country and a host of special releases from labels.
The day aims to encourage people who don’t speak the language to embrace the vibrant Welsh language music scene. Outside of Wales, the past year has been an exciting one in introducing Welsh language music to the world. Gruff Rhys’ new album combines Welsh lyrics with South African beats, Carwyn Ellis, guitarist with Edwyn Collins and The Pretenders, recorded an album in Rio de Janeiro, and bands like The Joy Formidable, HMS Morris, 9Bach, Ani Glass, Yr Ods and Super Furry Animals frontman Rhys performed Welsh language songs to audiences in the United States, Japan, Canada and Italy.
The Arts Council of Wales scheme, Noson Allan / Night Out, gives community groups the chance to set up their own event, with a guarantee against any potential monetary loss. Through a simple website form, music fans can apply to set up their own gig.
Welsh Language Music Day has pledged it will actively support and promote any gigs organised through Noson Allan in the run up or to coincide with 7th February 2020, working in partnership with the scheme.
In February of this year, Welsh Language Music Day saw the first ever Welsh language music gig at the Senedd, as female-fronted Adwaith, Chroma and ädyth rocked out the Welsh parliament, while thousands of people of all ages experienced live Welsh music at events across the country and as far afield as New York. The campaign reached more than 129 million people and musicians reported spikes in listening figures on streaming services like Spotify.
Businesses including EE, Lush, John Lewis and S.A Brains & Co have all shown support to Welsh Language Music Day, from hosting gigs in store, to playing only Welsh language music in branches on the day, to sharing Welsh language music playlists to their thousands of followers on social media. Businesses that want to be part Dydd Miwsig Cymru in the run up or on the day are being encouraged to contact Cymraeg (Cymraeg@gov.wales) for free advice and support.
BBC Radio 1 DJ and Welsh Language Music Day ambassador Huw Stephens said:
“To celebrate five incredible years of Dydd Miwsig Cymru, we want this year’s party to be bigger than ever. There’s not only so much diverse Welsh language music to discover but also the chance, this year, for music lovers all over the country to host their own Welsh Language Music Day gig.
“Noson Allan’s scheme is putting the party power in your hands. Tell them your venue and performers and they’ll help fund the event, so you can bring the noise to your own Dydd Miswig Cymru party.”
Specially curated playlists covering genres from acoustic to electronic, alongside place-specific sounds for spaces including cafes, shops, offices and parties are available on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming services, meaning current and new fans of Welsh language bands have banging beats at their fingertips.
Nick Capaldi from the Arts Council of Wales said: “What better way to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day’s fifth birthday than putting on your own gig. With help from our team running the Noson Allan/Night Out scheme, we can turn your gig from an idea into reality. Noson Allan has helped put on over 12500 events since its launch and we’re excited to receive applications for what we imagine will be an eclectic array of Dydd Miwsig Cymru gigs across Wales.”
Dydd Miwsig Cymru celebrates all forms of Welsh Language music with free events aimed at gig goers, parents and children, young people, students and businesses happening all across the country. Details of shows across the country will be announced over the coming weeks. Follow @cymraeg and #DyddMiwsigCymru on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest details on plans for the day. Follow #Miwsig on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates about all kinds of Welsh language music and share music you’ve heard using the hashtag.
To apply for a Noson Allan gig, go to: http://www.nightout.org.uk/
