S4C’s song writing competition Cân i Gymru 2027 is now open for applicants.
In an event at the S4C stand at Eisteddfod y Garreg Las, presenters Trystan Ellis-Morris and Elin Fflur announced that Cardiff Students’ Union Great Hall is the competition’s next location on Saturday, 27 February 2027.
This follows the success of holding the competition from the Anglesey Showground in Mona earlier this year when ‘Y Gân’ by Geth Tomos, Henry Priestman and Emlyn Gomer won the title.
The competition gives the opportunity for composers from all over Wales and beyond to share their musical talents and compete for the iconic title of Cân i Gymru 2027.
The winning song will secure the competition trophy, a £5,000 cash prize and, for the first time this year, the opportunity to film a special music video to be released on S4C Miwsig’s YouTube channel. The second prize winner winning £3,000 and £2,000 for the third prize winner.
Trystan Ellis-Morris said:
“Hosting the live event at Cardiff SU Great Hall in 2027 is going to be very exciting. It’s a stage that has welcomed some of the biggest names in music – Oasis, Biffy Clyro, Becky Hill, The Cure, Ed Sheeran – and it feels very fitting that Welsh artists and composers will have the opportunity to shine there too.”
Geth Tomos, winner of Cân i Gymru 2026, said:
“As a musician from Anglesey, winning Cân i Gymru is a huge honour. With the support of my co-writers, Emlyn Gomer and Henry Priestman, this award means so much to me.
“And of course, the song wouldn’t have reached its full potential were it not for Sara Owen. She brought the song to life in a way I couldn’t have imagined, with a truly incredible, honest, and emotional performance.
“The messages we’ve received from people who have found comfort in it while facing grief, and who have seen hope and a way forward after losing loved ones, have meant the world to me.”
Back to chair the judging panel is musician Osian Huw Williams, lead singer of Candelas and former co-winner of the award. And this year, the rest of the panel won’t be revealed until the applications close.
In another change for 2027, only one song per composer will be eligible to progress to the final, with a discussion between the composers and the production company to determine the performer or performers best suited to bring each song to life.
All terms and conditions are available on the S4C website.
The closing date for Cân i Gymru 2027 applications is 4 October 2026 at 23:59.
