MUSIC is something everyone can enjoy, there's a style or genre to suit every taste.
The last 12 months has seen much to celebrate in the industry. From the big names there's Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras tour, the announcement of an Oasis reunion, and Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning one-off show featuring giants of rock from across the globe.
Closer to home, there is 19-year-old singer/songwriter Alfie Thomas, from Llangollen...
A desire for creative control has seen Alfie hone several skills - the teenager writes, performs and produces his music.
He started singing at 11-years-old, honing a noted reputation as a Freddie Mercury cover act. His ability even saw him invited by charity the Mercury Phoenix Trust to perform at the official birthday party celebrations of the Queen star in 2019, in Switzerland.
He added: "It was one of the best things to ever happen to me."
The iconic band remains a massive influence for Alfie, who said: "Queen are basically the reason I do music. They're 'it' to me, they're everything."
But from about 14, he wanted to be more known for himself, and his own work, and not just Queen.
He said: "I really started learning production and the art of songwriting.
"I did a course with the Songwriting Academy, working with people like British songwriter and record producer Martin Sutton, and singer/songwriter Shelly Poole. I learnt a lot from that.
"Last year I went to the Rockfield Studios, and did a songwriting camp there."
Legendary Rockfield was where many of the big names have recorded, including Queen's A Night at the Opera and Oasis album What's The Story Morning Glory?.
Alfie is full-time in pursuing a career in music. He said: "From last year I started focussing on writing and producing my stuff myself.
"That's what I want to do with my life, and I'm hoping to get back out and do more gigs again, after that took a bit of a back seat last year.
"I do want to be the next big thing, but I like having full creative control over what I do.
"It's much better for me doing it myself but the goal is to write, make and perform the songs."
For someone still in the early days of his career, Alfie has seen his style shift already, growing along with him through these life-affirming years.
- You can hear Alfie's most recent single, I Still Think About You, on YouTube at: tinyurl.com/ppyxd443
He said: "It's been changing a lot. I started doing a lot of rock, then the stuff I put out over the last year was very retro 80s dance.
"Now I'm coming into more of a middle ground between pop and rock, more of an alt-pop style."
Creating music has also been a shifting process, with Alfie admitting the production side has taken the longest, and that he is learning more every day.
But he has lots of support at home, where a music path was inevitable: his two sisters both sing, his mum used to sing and his dad is very into music.
Alfie's voice isn't his only instrument. The talented youngster also plays guitar, bass, drums and piano. And while he enjoys performing, he also loves seeing live music.
Maybe one day we will see Alfie named as a headline act at the home gig of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
Fingers crossed and good luck!
His next release, Boomerang, will available to stream from March 21.
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