MUSIC fans across Wales are being encouraged to ‘get the party started’ by hosting their own Welsh language music gig

The move is to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day – Dydd Miwsig Cymru’s fifth birthday, helped by the Noson Allan/Night Out fund.

There will be gigs all over the country and special releases from labels to mark the special day on Friday, February 7, 2020.

The day aims to encourage people who don’t speak the language to embrace the Welsh language music scene. Efforts have been made to introduce Welsh language music to the world.

Gruff Rhys’ new album combines Welsh lyrics with South African beats, Carwyn Ellis, guitarist with Edwyn Collins and The Pretenders, recorded an album in Rio de Janeiro, and bands like The Joy Formidable, HMS Morris, 9Bach, Ani Glass, Yr Ods and Super Furry Animals frontman Rhys performed Welsh language songs to audiences in the United States, Japan, Canada and Italy.

The Arts Council of Wales scheme, Noson Allan / Night Out, gives community groups the chance to set up their own event, with a guarantee against any potential monetary loss.

Music fans can apply to set up their own gig through a website. Welsh Language Music Day will support and promote any gigs organised through Noson Allan in the run up or to coincide with February 7, 2020, in partnership with the scheme.

In February of this year, Welsh Language Music Day saw the first ever Welsh language music gig at the Senedd, as female-fronted Adwaith, Chroma and Eädyth rocked out the Welsh parliament. Thousands of people experienced live Welsh music as far afield as New York. The campaign reached more than 129 million people and musicians reported spikes in listening figures on streaming services like Spotify.

Businesses including EE, Lush, John Lewis and S.A Brains & Co have all shown support for the day, hosting gigs in store, to playing only Welsh language music in branches on the day, to sharing Welsh language music playlists followers on social media. Businesses that want to be part Dydd Miwsig Cymru in the run up or on the day are being encouraged to contact Cymraeg (Cymraeg@gov.wales) for free advice and support.

BBC Radio 1 DJ and Welsh Language Music Day ambassador Huw Stephens said: “To celebrate five incredible years of Dydd Miwsig Cymru we want this year’s party to be bigger than ever."

“Noson Allan’s scheme is putting the party power in your hands."

Special playlists covering genres from acoustic to electronic, alongside place-specific sounds for spaces including cafes, shops, offices and parties are available on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming services.

Nick Capaldi from the Arts Council of Wales said: “What better way to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day’s fifth birthday than putting on your own gig."

Follow @cymraeg and #DyddMiwsigCymru on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest details. Follow #Miwsig on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates. To apply for a Noson Allan gig, go to: http://www.nightout.org.uk/