Celebrating Welsh Language Music Day – let’s build a sustainable, accessible music industry for Wales
Music is at the heart of the Welsh culture.
Whether it’s attracting huge acts to our corner of the world at the Principality Stadium, the gigs at smaller venues across the country, or having the best national anthem, music is our thing.
It’s a vital part of the culture around our language.
Today, Welsh Language Music Day, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate a culture, an industry that gives people the opportunity to enjoy our language and the shared experiences music can create. Whether it’s Geraint Jarman and Dafydd Iwan or Bwncath and Adwaith, there’s a huge range of music out there that you can enjoy in Welsh. It can even help you to learn the language if you’re just starting off.
To make the most out of this culture we need to ensure it’s sustainable for future generations and accessible to everyone. The music industry can and must be about much more than just making money.
Across the country, there are already inspiring individuals and communities coming together to build the organisations that will give this culture the platform to thrive.
At the 2024 Social Business Wales Awards, Beacons Cymru were nominated for the One to Watch Award. The South Wales Valleys-based organisation identifies and nurtures young musical talent right across Wales, and creates opportunities for young people in the music industry, regardless of background or circumstances.
Elan Evans, Project Manager at Beacons, said:
“What we’re always trying to do is give young people the skills to learn how to be a sound technician, how to be a self-sustaining artist, how to be a project manager… They then take those skills away with them and organise events, or start new projects in their communities. That’s what’s important to see.”
Another vital part of ensuring the Welsh language music industry is sustainable for the future is ensuring that there are suitable venues in communities across Wales. These spaces give opportunities for artists to perform, and for people to enjoy the music they create.
For Welsh Language Music Day, Saith Seren in Wrexham are hosting Meinir Gwilym, a hugely talented Welsh language singer and musician.
Saith Seren is a former pub that, in 2015, was under threat of closure. The community came together to save it and keep it open. A community co-operative, Canolfan Gymraeg Wrecsam, purchased the building in 2023 and runs the centre.
This is a brilliant example of how impactful the spirit of co-operation can be. People in Wrexham now have a space to socialise, learn the language and enjoy Welsh music together.
Beacons Cymru are teaming up with the well-known Le Public Space, a music and arts space based in the heart of Newport City Centre.
Le Public Space is proudly born from the success of Le Pub, a longstanding small music venue which successfully showcased live music and made lives better for 25 years.
They are community-owned and not for profit, meaning that everything they do will always be about getting bigger and better, and celebrating Welsh music.
Tomorrow, on 8 February, they are hosting a gig by Mali Haf, one of the most exciting Welsh-language artists around.
Beacons Cymru, Saith Seren, and Le Pub are inspiring stories of how communities and social entrepreneurs are using co-operative and social business models to nurture the talent of young people in Wales and create the spaces that allow our language to thrive.
On Welsh Language Music Day, we should all be inspired to listen to the brilliant music our country is producing in our own language.
What can we do as individuals and as a country to support the organisations making this culture and industry possible?
The first thing to do is to get down to these gigs to support our fantastic Welsh artists and the venues they’re playing at.
And then, once you’re there, cheer your heart out in true Welsh style.
Come on Wales, let’s feel the hwyl!
