logo
Welsh Language Music: Could Welsh songs become mainstream?

Welsh Language Music: Could Welsh songs become mainstream?

BBC News07-02-2025

There is no reason Welsh language songs can't be the next Gangnam Style, says a BBC radio DJ and presenter.Welsh language music has evolved and expanded across genres over the years, breaking the mould of "boys an guitars", said Molly Palmer. Meanwhile musician Tara Bandito added it was "exciting" to see "women really pushing the boundaries in Wales" within the Welsh language music scene.It comes on the 10th anniversary of Welsh Language Music Day, focusing this year on grassroots and community venues across Wales.
Gangnam Style, released by South Korean rapper PSY in 2012, broke the internet - quite literally, YouTube had to upgrade its counter limit because it had been watched more than any other video ever. Talking on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, presenter and DJ Molly Palmer said listeners do not have to understand lyrics to enjoy songs. "Gangnam style is Korean, it's record breaking, chart topping - there is no reason why songs which aren't in the English language can't succeed in this way," she said. "That song was my introduction to that idea, of other languages being in the mainstream in music. There's no reason why the Welsh language can't be that as well, we have an incredible cohort of musicians here in Wales."She said when she was first introduced to Welsh language music, "it was all men with guitars" but now there was a "world of variety, of genre - there really is something out there for everybody".
Welsh singer Tara Bandito also said the Welsh language music scene had "evolved so much", was "so eclectic now", and still growing. She said it has become "such an inclusive scene and seems to be buzzing".The musician said the scene was getting recognition, but "there's a long way to go". "Gruff Rhys did it and he did it so well, the Super Furries were gigantic. Let's just hope it keeps going with the same trajectory."When Bandito goes to schools to perform and engage children with Welsh language music, she said she had been "surprised" by how familiar they were with it already. She said she thinks teachers and parents "are nurturing their children with Welsh language music now" and "children seem to be buying into it".
This weekend will see the debut of Y Llais, a Welsh-language version of the popular global television series The Voice on S4C, presented by BBC Radio 1's Sian Eleri.International opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel will be one of the four coaches from different musical backgrounds who will sit in the iconic red chairs with the aim of finding the best next Welsh musical talent.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Gripping sci-fi series with 'preposterous twist' now streaming on Channel 4
Gripping sci-fi series with 'preposterous twist' now streaming on Channel 4

Metro

time37 minutes ago

  • Metro

Gripping sci-fi series with 'preposterous twist' now streaming on Channel 4

It's a great time to be a fan of great science fiction, especially on the small screen. We've had Andor season 2, Doctor Who season 15, and a brand spanking new series of Charlie Brooker's twisted brainchild, Black Mirror. If, though, you've already watched the Rebels rise up, the Doctor save the day and enjoyed Black Mirror's twists and turns, then you might be looking for something new to watch. Well, if that's the case, you're in luck. Channel 4 has a brand new show you can watch right now, and even better, it's supposedly got a bonkers twist. The new drama is called BETH, and it follows Joe (Nicholas Pinnock) and Molly (Abbey Lee), a couple who unexpectedly get pregnant after multiple failed IVF attempts. Needless to say, though, once the miracle child is born, it becomes clear that something is very wrong for reasons we won't go into here – the spoiler police are everywhere . To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker and photographer Uzo Oleh, the show is already being compared to Black Mirror, although critics are divided on the series. In their three star review The Guardian's Lucy Mangan praised the show for it's stylish direction and impressive cast but critisised it's pacing, writing 'the script needs to be tighter and work harder so that we aren't left feeling as if we've just watched the beginning of a Black Mirror episode.' The Independent also gave the show three stars in their review. Much like The Guardian, they felt the premise was a little underbaked and criticised the 'poorly executed', and 'preposterous' twist. That said, though, they did say it provided 'food for thought' and urged their readers to check it out because, in their words, 'when it's good, it's a little miracle'. Sadly, Anita Singh from The Telegraph was far less kind. She gave BETH just two out of five stars and wrote that while it looks beautiful that Uzo 'was too hung up on the visuals'. Of course, the critics aren't the only ones who've seen the show and general audiences have been far kinder. More Trending On X @AndrewOldbury wrote: 'It's great to see Channel 4 breaking new ground by commissioning digital dramas. Beth is a meditative and delicately told story by Uzo Oleh of a couple's attempt to conceive.' Meanwhile, on YouTube @catharinalara220 added 'Fabulous film. Tense and suspenseful. Wonderful work' a sentiment echoed by @mariamysoul, who added 'Love Nicholas Pinnock's effortless acting, and Uzo Oleh is a talented new director. Wish it had been longer. Hope it becomes a series.' BETH is Channel 4's first digital original drama, and as such, it can either be streamed on Channel 4's own streaming platform, where it's broken up into three parts View More » Or you fancy you can watch it on YouTube, where it has been uploaded as one full episode. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: All six episodes of 'stressful' Australian thriller finally free to binge in the UK MORE: Netflix quietly adds 'superb under-the radar comedy' set in Victorian London MORE: Gogglebox family announce heartbreaking death as fans pay tribute

Trent Alexander-Arnold's big day in Madrid
Trent Alexander-Arnold's big day in Madrid

The Guardian

timean hour ago

  • The Guardian

Trent Alexander-Arnold's big day in Madrid

If the football doesn't work out for him at Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold can try his luck as a regular panellist on the Spanish version of Just A Minute, a popular BBC Radio 4 comedy show, in which assorted comedians and luvvies are challenged to speak for one minute on a given subject without 'hesitation, repetition or deviation'. Football Daily is prepared to concede that – written down like that – it actually sounds really boring, but readers who are unfamiliar with the show will just have to take our word for it when we say the show is actually very funny. Or at least it was when we last listened to it about 25 years ago. Of course there is no Spanish version of Just A Minute, almost certainly because most Spaniards of our acquaintance can speak for up to three hours uninterrupted on any given subject without hesitation, repetition or deviation. But we were certainly impressed when Alexander-Arnold stood behind a lectern in the bowels of the Bernabéu at his unveiling as a Real Madrid player, giving a welcome address of more than 60 seconds in what appeared to be perfectly fluent Spanish without once stuttering, pointing at a beer tap or bellowing 'EGG AND CHIPS!!!' at the top of his voice. Short of clacking a pair of castanets or missing the presentation entirely because it clashed with his siesta, Madrid's new signing could scarcely have appeared more native, and his command of a language he appears to have been taking lessons in for a while will do little to allay [or should that be olé? – Football Daily Ed] the suspicions of Liverpool fans that he has been plotting his move to the Spanish capital for a very long time. He may even have been listening to Duolingo through his headphones on the team bus to Brighton a month ago. Either that or he's a very quick learner, because when one hack asked him how long he'd been learning Spanish, Alexander-Arnold smiled and replied 'a few months'. The 26-year-old later added that being a Real player is a 'dream', saying: 'It is something special, I don't take it for granted and I am very happy.' During his unveiling, it was also revealed his shirt number will be 12 (as opposed to his favoured 66) because Spanish rules preclude senior squad players from having anything higher than 25 and the nomenclature under which it will appear will be 'Trent' because why not? A big enough signing to merit a presentation but not so galactico that he had to live out Football Daily's recurring fever dream of being tossed a football and forced to do keepy-uppies in the centre-circle of a packed ground, prior to his Spanish masterclass, Trent and his nearest and dearest sat through a montage of his best bits. Featuring performances from Liverpool and England but mainly Liverpool, it included goals, free-kicks, raking 60-yard diagonals, that corner to tee up Divock Origi for his Big Cup winner against Barcelona, footage of Luis Díaz kneeling to buff his boot with an imaginary rag and almost as an afterthought … some boring defensive interventions. A showreel that left his mum dabbing her eyes with emotion, it was followed by a lengthy oration speech by Florentino Pérez that had her gazing intently at her phone. 'I want you to know that the defining trait of Real Madrid is that, in addition to being great players they are all true Madristas, you will quickly understand what Real Madrid is,' declared their president. At least that's what we think he said but we might need to check with a fluent Spanish-speaker like Trent. Join Niall McVeigh from 8pm BST for hot MBM coverage of the Czech Republic 1-2 England at the European U-21 Championship. 9 June: 'I haven't been captain for a year or two. I've been wearing the armband for 11 years, and I've been playing for the national team for 17. It seemed to me that such matters should be handled differently. Everything was communicated over the phone. It really shouldn't be like this. The coach betrayed my trust' – Robert Lewandowski refuses to play for Poland under Michal Probierz after a row over the international captaincy. 12 June: 'I have come to the conclusion that in the current situation the best decision for the good of the national team will be my resignation from the position of coach. Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life' – Probierz comes off second best in the power struggle and takes his leave. If I send you £740,000, will you please send me $1bn, as per the exchange rate on yesterday's News, Bits and Bobs (full email edition) element about Gianni's Club World Cup?' – Chris Hale (and 1,056 others). The solution to England's problems is staring the FA in the face: sack Thomas Tuchel immediately, appoint Ange Postecoglou now and, as usual, you're guaranteed a trophy – mate, it's the 2026 World Cup – in his second season' – Adrian Irving. Re: Mike Slattery's call on naming suggestions for Gianni's latest behemothic construction (yesterday's Football Daily letters), it seems to me that, at least for this edition, Top Trumps would be appropriate' – David Ford. May I suggest Big Bucket? Or – with a bit more hype – the MegaMug?' – Derrick Cameron. Re: the question 'is it OK to play in vintage football boots' (yesterday's last line, full email edition), I still have my Puma boots bought in 1970 – and keep them in their original Puma box. These weren't bought because Pelé was wearing such boots at the 1970 World Cup, but because Leeds United's Allan 'The Sniffer' Clarke (surely the greatest player ever to bestride the Football League, and not to be confused with the lead singer in The Hollies) favoured a pair. I'm now 73, so unfortunately cannot test the OK-ness of playing in them' – Paul Sanderson. If you do have any, please send letters to Today's winner of our prizeless letter o' the day is … Adrian Irving. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. Is the game ready for this Club World Cup? The Football Weekly team deliver an extra dose of podcasting action. Everyone loves Santi Cazorla. When he was at his swaggering best for Arsenal – taking corners on different sides with different feet, scoring bangers from outside the box, generally making other midfielders look a bit silly – there was always an unconditional love from Gunners supporters and begrudging respect from opposition fans for the outrageous talent in the Spaniard's boots. And when Cazorla left the Londoners seven years ago, it felt too soon. Now, aged 40 and playing for his boyhood club, Real Oviedo, Cazorla is still doing bits and has just scored a textbook free-kick (with his left foot) to send his side to the Segunda División playoff final, his goal securing a 3-2 aggregate victory over Almería. The outpouring of joy in the stands and on the pitch is almost as good as the goal – Cazorla joined Oviedo's youth team aged eight but didn't play a senior game for them for another 30 years, before signing on the minimum wage, €93,000 (£80,000) per year, so that he wouldn't financially burden his beloved side. 'I would play for free but you're not allowed,' Cazorla told Big Website and (Oviedo fan Sid Lowe) last year. We're not sure when people started using the phrase 'good egg' and when lazy pundits first started using the term 'technician', but Football Daily is pretty sure they were almost certainly talking about Cazorla. Thomas Frank could be announced as the new Spurs boss while you're reading this, and former Brentford player Christian Eriksen reckons that'll be a good thing. 'I think he is the right coach for Tottenham,' cooed Eriksen. 'I have had Thomas at various times and I think he is the perfect match for Tottenham, and it would be great if Thomas takes on that challenge.' The words 'New York Jets owner Woody Johnson' should possibly set alarm bells ringing if you're of an NFL persuasion. And potentially of a Crystal Palace one amid the whole John Textor business. Matheus Cunha. Manchester United. £62.5m move done. 'Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother's house, United was my favourite English team and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt,' he trousered. The English pyramid is 'under strain' in a climate of tension between commercial imperatives and the needs of fans, according to a new Deloitte report. England boss Thomas Tuchel has continued his smooth start, now ingratiating himself with Jude Bellingham. 'If he smiles, he wins everyone but sometimes you see the rage, the hunger and the fire and it comes out in a way that can be a bit repulsive,' tooted Tuchel. 'For example, for my mother when she sits in front of the TV. I see that. But in general, we are very happy to have him.' Sheffield United are considering whether to bin off Chris Wilder. And Tom Cleverley – or TC23 for you old-school brand heads – is about to be back in the game, this time at Plymouth Argyle. Spain's Esther González is one of the world's best strikers and she talks to Megan Swanick for the latest edition of our sister email. Sky Sports News's golden age is very much at an end. John Brewin tunes in and explains why. You can keep up with all the latest transfer moves across the summer with our men's and women's interactives. And the Rumour Mill sifts through all the t1ttle-tattle to produce this. A tidy bit of goalmouth action as Marcus Stewart (left) scores for Huddersfield Town to make it 2-2 in their FA Cup fifth-round draw with Derby County at the McAlpine Stadium in February 1999. 'We will win the replay,' declared Terriers boss Peter Jackson. They would lose it 3-1. Remarkably for old-time emails such as ourselves, it's now more than 30 years since Huddersfield moved to the ground from Leeds Road.

BBC drama Mix Tape will have Netflix One Day fans hooked
BBC drama Mix Tape will have Netflix One Day fans hooked

Daily Record

timean hour ago

  • Daily Record

BBC drama Mix Tape will have Netflix One Day fans hooked

New BBC drama Mix Tape is a perfect substitute for fans of Netflix's One Day - with a fate-driven love story as two lives take very different paths Romance lovers get ready as the BBC has just announced a brand new drama that promises to tug at the heartstrings of viewers. Titled Mix Tape, the four-part series sounds like the ideal watch for fans of hit Netflix show One Day, offering a similar emotional journey through love, time and second chances. The series has been adapted from Jane Sanderson's acclaimed novel of the same name, and the show is set to premiere on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer later this summer. With a story that spans decades and continents, it's already gaining widespread attraction, having picked up the TV Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW 2025. So, what can viewers expect from this highly anticipated series? What is Mix Tape about? The official synopsis reads: "The four-part series follows Daniel and Alison, moving between their teenage romance in 1989 Sheffield and the modern-day reality of their adult relationships living on opposite sides of the world." Much like the beloved characters Emma and Dex from One Day, Mix Tape explores a deep and emotional connection between two people who find their lives taking very different paths. But fate has other plans. The main characters Daniel and Alison are separated as they build completely different lives on opposite sides of the world with new partners. "The pair reconnect through a song from their shared past and explore their burning curiosity to understand if this is the love, and the life, they were meant to have," the synopsis continues. The series stars Teresa Palmer, known for her roles in The Clearing and The Fall Guy, as Alison and Jim Sturgess, known for his roles in Across The Universe and Cloud Atlas, as Daniel. Their younger selves are played by Bridgerton's Florence Hunt and new-comer Rory Walton-Smith - who will be playing his first mainstream role. The show was filmed in locations in Dublin, Ireland and Sydney, Australia, and the series promises a romance "packed with emotion" set against a fantastic soundtrack which will transport you back to the 80s. "Mix Tape will take viewers back in time to that intoxicating feeling of first love [and be] a classic all-encompassing romance set to a banging nostalgic soundtrack," producers told Variety. Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, said: "Accompanied by an absolutely cracking 80s soundtrack, Mix Tape is an enjoyable blend of nostalgia, romance and heartbreak – it really is the perfect summer treat!" Patrick Roberts, Senior Vice President of global sales at Boat Rocker Studios, added: "We're delighted by the strong response to Mix Tape we've received from the BBC and our other partners around the world and can't wait for audiences to discover this unique take on a modern love story." Mix Tape will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two later this summer.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store