Welsh Language Music Day Explained

Music Festival Name:Dydd Miwsig Cymru
Welsh Language Music Day
Location:Cardiff, Wales
Years Active:2013–present
Dates:8 February
Genre:Various
Website:www.gov.wales

Welsh Language Music Day (Welsh: Dydd Miwsig Cymru) is a music festival founded by radio presenter Huw Stephens. Events take place on the day at its base in Cardiff, as well as previously in London, Swansea, and even as far as Brooklyn and Budapest.[1]

Etymology

Despite the Welsh language having words for music (, cerdd or alaw), the colloquial term miwsic, borrowed from the English word music, was used instead to promote the event.

Background

See also: Music of Wales. The festival takes place annually in Stephens' hometown of Cardiff, Wales, as well as hosting events in other UK cities including London, Caernarfon, and Swansea. The first Welsh Language Music Day took place in February 2013.[2] Artists who have been highlighted include Mellt, Gwenno Saunders, The Gentle Good, Chroma, Adwaith, Candelas, Meic Stevens, Los Blancos, and Alffa.[3]

Organisations across Wales are involved in the yearly event, including Sŵn, BBC Horizons, Forté Project, Clwb Ifor Bach and Big Fish Little Fish.[4]

Venues

Events have been held across the UK, including venues in Cardiff as well as:[5]

Independent events have also been organised by Menter Iaith in the following:

Acts

During each years' events, organisers research the streaming popularity of Welsh language music acts globally.

The 2018 event found the most popular Welsh artists on Spotify were:

  1. The Joy Formidable
  2. Super Furry Animals
  3. Cate Le Bon
  4. Catatonia
  5. Iwan Rheon
  6. Gwenno Saunders
  7. Yws Gwynedd
  8. Bryn Fon
  9. Al Lewis
  10. Sŵnami

The survey also found the following artists were most popular on Shazam:

  1. Catatonia
  2. Super Furry Animals
  3. Gwenno Saunders
  4. Casi
  5. Yws Gwynedd
  6. Bryn Fon
  7. Meic Stevens
  8. Dafydd Iwan
  9. Omaloma
  10. Elin Fflur

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Celebrate Welsh Language Music Day (Dydd Miwsig Cymru) This Friday. 6 February 2019. Louder Than War. 3 May 2019.
  2. News: Poetry in motion - discover the language of Wales. 2 April 2013. 3 May 2019.
  3. Web site: How to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day 2018. Bartleet. Larry. 1 February 2018. NME. en-US. 3 May 2019.
  4. Web site: This is what's happening for Welsh Language Music Day. Mainwaring. Rachel. 9 February 2018. walesonline. 3 May 2019.
  5. Web site: Welsh Language Music Day. 8 February 2019. Enjoy Swansea Bay. en-US. 3 May 2019.