Tafwyl Festival will once again take place digitally on its 15th birthday this year, the organisers have announced. The festival – billed as Cardiff’s celebration of the Welsh language, arts and culture – will take place on Saturday the 15th of May. The music will be streamed live once again […]
Culture
The story of the renowned Welsh record label ready to be rediscovered after 20 years
David Owens It’s a story of youthful idealism, a grand plan and two music fans with a widescreen vision – to put Welsh music on the international map. It’s a tale that features a cast of notables, including a Manic Street Preacher, a Boo Radley, a broadcasting icon and a […]
‘I would encourage anyone to start learning Welsh’ says James Hook after ‘intensive’ course with Nigel Owens
Former Welsh fly-half James Hook has said that he would “encourage anyone to start learning Welsh” after an “intense” few days in the company of referee Nigel Owens. Wales’ fourth-highest all-time points scorer had been taking part in S4C’s Iaith ar Daith (‘Language on Tour’) alongside wildlife expert Steve Backshall […]
Acting inspiration due to Welsh language and Eisteddfod says Lord of the Rings actress
One of the stars of a new Lord of the Rings series which will be broadcast this year has said that she had the Welsh language to thank for inspiring her to take us acting. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Morfydd Clark credits Wales’ “proud cultural heritage and huge focus […]
Digital platform AM harnesses the energy and resilience of Wales’ creative community
Alun Llwyd Ten months ago, AM was launched – two weeks prior to a pandemic. The aim was to create Wales’ first cultural digital platform that would, using website and app, be a vehicle for sharing and discovering the various manifests of Welsh creativity from drama to literature to music […]
National Eisteddfod called off for a second year due to Covid-19 pandemic
The National Eisteddfod has been called off for a second year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Welsh language festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors was due to be held in Tregaron in 2020 but now won’t be held until 2022 at the earliest. The aim is to […]
Why venues across Wales will soon reverberate with live music once more
David Owens For those who have missed live music there comes a glimmer of light to illuminate the gloom. While our venues have lain silent for almost 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic, Horizons, the music project from BBC Wales and Arts Council of Wales has announced a tour […]
Review: It’s a Sin is Russell T Davies’ most holistic and penetrating work to date
Sarah Morgan Jones As the closing credits of Russell T Davies latest offering roll, the stunned silence in our living room is broken with the sound of sobbing. I dare a look at my husband, and his face is grief-stricken as the tears fall. We both knew men who succumbed […]
The reason why a former ‘Million Seller’ is releasing one vinyl copy of new single
David Owens There was a point in 1993 when arch Welsh pop auteurs The Pooh Sticks looked set to live up to the grandiose billing of their resolutely tongue in cheek titled album ‘Million Seller’. Safely ensconced in a major label record deal with music giants BMG, the cartoon power […]
Review: Those Who Know soaks what could be dry history in mud and beer and blood
Sarah Tanburn The upper Teifi valley in 1851 is not the obvious setting for a murder plot littered with pornography and homosexuality. Hawkins pulls it off with a contortionist of a tale. Harry Probert-Lloyd is the acting coroner of the district standing for election to the permanent post, when he […]