A host of Welsh language music and content has been announced for the sixth Dydd Miwsig Cymru – Welsh Language Music Day, including acoustic and DJ sets, and an exclusive interview with Hollywood actor Rhys Ifans about the Welsh language music that shaped his life.
Welsh Language Music Day (Friday 5 February 2021) celebrates all forms of Welsh language music, from indie, rock, punk, funk, folk, electronica to hip hop and everything in between. With the world fighting the coronavirus pandemic and music fans unable to attend live performances in person, the celebrations for Dydd Miwsig Cymru are heading online with gigs, video and track launches taking place on Welsh language music and culture website, AM.
HMS Morris will kick off the line up at 2pm with a set from CULTVR LAB, while miwsig fans will be able to enjoy the electronic, dance and R&B sounds of singer songwriter Eädyth at 4pm. From the Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli, Eädyth’s set will include the first performance of her new single, Dreaming / Breuddwydio.
At 7pm, an hour-long conversation between Rhys Ifans and BBC presenter Huw Stephens will be aired on AM, which sees the actor thank lockdown for giving him the time to “rediscover an intimacy with Welsh language music” that he’d forgotten. Rhys and Huw share their personal favourite Welsh language music moments, from introducing Irish punk rocker friends to Datblygu and a Super Furry Animals gig in 1995 in Pontypridd which involved a chance encounter with Howard Marks, who Rhys later went onto play in the film adaptation of his life, Mr Nice.
From 8pm at Sain Studios in Caernarfon, Osian Huw Williams from rock band Candelas, Lewys Williams from indie group Yr Eira and singer Mared Williams will all perform acoustic sets. Rounding off the celebrations for Dydd Miwsig Cymru will be a DJ set from Aberystwyth electronic duo Roughion at 9pm.
A schedule of events will start from 2pm until 10pm, but AM will also have content available to access all day, including performances from Alffa, Gwilym, Mellt.
Dydd Miwsig Cymru is part of the long-term vision to see a million people speaking and using Welsh by 2050.
For more information, go to: https://gov.wales/welsh-language-music-day
To support on the day, please use - #WelshLanguageMusicDay
