Welsh language four-piece Pys Melyn will be joined by Gwenno Morgan and Bitw at a free-entry showcase in Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, on Friday (18th March) to continue the celebrations of the seventh annual Welsh Language Music Day-Dydd Miwsig Cymru
On Dydd Miwsig Cymru in February, a series of free gigs in independent venues at the heart of Welsh communities was announced, including at Clwb Ifor Bach on Womanby Street, the capital city’s cultural centre. Doors open at 7pm on Friday for this 18+ gig with tickets allocated on a first come, first served basis so early attendance is advised.
Lo-fi indie rockers Pys Melyn headline this Welsh language showcase event and return to the capital following their set at last autumn’s Swn Festival in Cardiff which added to their promising reputation by cementing their status as one of the most exciting up-and coming live acts in Wales. Their melancholic multi-vocal harmonies have drawn fans such as multi-disciplined artist Gruff Rhys who regularly plays tracks from the band’s debut album Bywyd Llonydd on his BBC Radio shows.
Gwenno Morgan, the classically-trained musician and composer, will play her first full-band set in Wales as part of the celebrations. Gwenno Morgan began producing and writing music upon returning from a year in Texas at the start of the pandemic, and quickly earned BBC radio airtime from Siân Eleri, Georgia Ruth and Adam Walton. Her debut EP Cyfnos was released last year.
Solo artist Bitw completes the lineup, having previously released music as part of renowned instrumental surf-rock outfit Y Niwl. Gruff ap Arwel released his first self-titled solo album of DIY melodic-pop tracks on the Joyful Noise White Label Series in 2019 following on from a self-released EP American English two years earlier.
Although independent venues have had to adapt to changing restrictions during the pandemic, iconic venues like Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach are home to a lively Welsh language music scene and play a vital role in profiling new artists.
Despite these restrictions which impacted tours and live performances, there has been a plethora of new releases from Welsh language acts that are making waves globally. Artists including Carwyn Ellis, Los Blancos, Melin Melyn, Tacsidermi and Papur Wal have all released acclaimed music in the last 12 months, with tracks from Cardiff’s own’s Breichiau Hir’s album ‘Hir Oes I’r Cof’ played on BBC Radio 1.
Dydd Miwsig Cymru aims to introduce Welsh language music to a new audience by celebrating the artists making waves at home and internationally. A schedule of free gigs at iconic independent venues will continue over the next month, with upcoming events in Selar (Cardigan), Bunkhouse (Swansea) and Galeri (Caernarfon) – where Welsh language acts including SYBS, Mellt, EÄDYTH and Tiger Bay make up the line-up.
Dydd Miwsig Cymru is part of the Welsh Government’s long-term vision to see a million people speaking and using Welsh by 2050.
