The miwsig (music) plays on, as we celebrate Dydd Miwsig Cymru – Welsh Language Music Day on 09 February 2024. The annual event an entire day dedicated to all forms of Welsh language music. From indie, rock, punk, funk, folk, electronica to hip hop and everything in between, whatever you're into, there's something for you!
Dydd Miwsig Cymru – Welsh Language Music Day aims to introduce our Welsh language music to a new audience, by celebrating music being made in Welsh and the artists making waves at home and internationally.
Live events will once again be at the heart of 2024's Dydd Miwsig Cymru, with gigs and events happening across Wales - including Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Pontypridd, Anglesey and Wrexham. The events range from collaborative rap workshops in schools, to gigs at pubs, clubs, community hubs and college campuses.
There has been a plethora of new releases from Welsh language acts that are making waves globally. Gwenno was nominated for a Mercury Prize in 2022, while Rogue Jones won the 2023 Welsh Music Prize with their bilingual album Dos Bebés.
Artists including Los Blancos, Cerys Hafana, Tara Bandito and Hyll have all released music in the last 12 months.
O Gymru Spotify playlist from Dydd Miwsig Cymru
To get a taste from previous years, check out the O Gymru Spotify playlist from Dydd Miwsig Cymru.
As part of the celebrations, organisations, businesses and music fans are encouraged to support Welsh artists and labels, share playlists on social media, host gigs, and pledge to play Welsh language music at their office, shop or restaurant.
Dydd Miwsig Cymru is part of the long-term vision to see a million people speaking and using Welsh by 2050.
Find out more about Dydd Miwsig Cymru
There's so much going on to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day - here are some ways you can be a part of it:
- join the conversation using the hashtag #dyddmiwsigcymru or #miwsig
- follow @Miwsig on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter
- watch on YouTube @Cymraeg
- listen to Dydd Miwsig Cymru playlists
- share this page and spread the news to all of your friends
- If you are planning any Dydd Miwsig Cymru activity, we’d love to hear from you, contact cymraeg@gov.wales
Dych chi'n dysgu Cymraeg?
Don’t speak Welsh or thinking of learning Welsh? Miwsig is for everyone. Get involved...
If you don't speak any Welsh or want to improve, here are some key phrases you could start with:
Hello is the easily-remembered ‘helo’ and thank you is simply ‘diolch’. Here are some more simple words and phrases to get you started:
Bore da (Pronounced: Boh-reh dah): Good morning
Prynhawn da (Prin-houn dah): Good afternoon
Nos da (nohs dah): Good night
Croeso i Gymru (Croesoh ee Gum-reeh): Welcome to Wales
Iechyd da! (Yeh-chid dah): Cheers!
Tafarn (Tav-arn): Pub
Diolch (Dee-olch): Thanks
Da iawn (Dah ee-aw-n): Very good
Places to hear live Welsh music throughout the year
There are plenty of places across Wales regularly showcasing the vibrant Welsh language music scene.
Established in 1983, Clwb Ifor Bach has become an iconic music hub in Cardiff and Wales, welcoming music from all corners of the world. Cardiff is also home to the fantastic Tafwyl and Sŵn live music festivals.
Clwb y Bont in Pontypridd offers a wide range of cultural and community events, and jazz, blues and folk clubs. The community choir meets here, and they hold regular sing-along evenings. Head to Le Pub in Newport for a full program of live music, arts and comedy.
Up in North Wales, Bethesda's Neuadd Ogwen is a real community hub. Among the events regularly held include music, theatre, stand-up comedy, live literature and children's theatre. The Shed is a creative space in the heart of Y Felinheli. As well as film and comedy nights, cookery workshops and art and craft fairs, acoustic music nights play a big part in the Shed's events calendar.
Saith Seren is a community pub and Welsh language center in Wrexham. They hold a variety of events including entertainment, Welsh lessons for learners, and weekly jamming sessions. Wrexham also hosts the FOCUS Wales festival, an international multi-location event showcasing the new talent Wales has to offer the world, alongside introducing new international performers.
Wales' main celebration of our culture and language is the National Eisteddfod. The Eisteddfod is the perfect shop window for all types of music, dance, visual arts, literature and much more! The Urdd National Eisteddfod is Europe's largest traveling youth festival, attracting over 65,000 competitors from all over Wales annually, along with 100,000 visitors to the field. There is more to the Urdd than the competition, with loads of gigs, music workshops and acoustic performances to see.
Gŵyl Fach y Fro is the Vale of Glamorgan's annual Welsh arts and culture festival held on the Barry Island's beautiful beach.
Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau is a folk and world music festival which takes over the town's square and pubs. Expect jamming sessions, plenty of live music and fun. Past performers include Buncath, HMS Morris, Mari Mathias, Yr Eira and Morgan Elwy.
And of course, many pubs in Wales are community owned. Live music is central to these community venues, and the sounds of the acoustic nights, jamming sessions and live gigs raise the roof of these pubs - which are much more than just a bar between four walls.