On February 7, 2025, Wales celebrated the 10th anniversary of Welsh Language Music Day (Dydd Miwsig Cymru), an event dedicated to showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of Welsh-language music. Over the years, this celebration has grown into a major cultural moment, highlighting both emerging and established artists who bring the language to life through song.
A Language for Everyone
One of the most inspiring aspects of the 2025 celebrations was the growing involvement of Welsh learners in the music scene. The event showcased artists who, despite not growing up speaking Welsh, have embraced the language as part of their musical journey. Among them were reggae singer Aleighcia Scott and soul vocalist Dionne Bennett.
Scott, who has been learning Welsh for three years, performed Welsh-language covers of Bob Marley songs and debuted her first original track in Welsh, “Dod O’r Galon” (“From the Heart”). Bennett, who learned Welsh in a virtual classroom, continues to make waves as the voice behind the theme song of S4C’s popular show “Y Llais.” Their participation is a testament to the inclusivity and accessibility of the language through music.
Exciting Releases and Performances
The anniversary event was packed with musical highlights. Adwaith, the award-winning band, marked the occasion with the release of their ambitious double album, “Solas.” The band has been at the forefront of Welsh-language alternative music, proving that the language is as relevant in modern rock as it is in traditional folk.
Indie rockers Mellt delivered an electrifying performance, reinforcing their status as one of the most exciting young bands in the Welsh scene. Meanwhile, legendary Welsh music label Sain Records announced an exciting project: the digitization of classic albums from the 1970s and 80s, ensuring that past generations’ music remains accessible to future audiences.
Connecting Fans to Live Music
A new initiative called Awni, an interactive gig map, was launched as part of the 2025 celebrations. This tool allows fans to easily locate Welsh-language music events near them, encouraging more people to engage with live performances and discover new artists.
A Growing Movement
Welsh Language Music Day is part of a larger cultural initiative that aims to increase the number of Welsh speakers to one million by 2050. The day encourages businesses, schools, and communities to play, share, and celebrate Welsh-language music in various ways. From curated Spotify and YouTube playlists to in-store playlists at local businesses, the goal is to make Welsh-language music a normal and accessible part of everyday life.
Looking Ahead
As Dydd Miwsig Cymru enters its second decade, its impact continues to grow. The 2025 event proved that Welsh-language music is not just surviving—it is thriving. Whether through rock, soul, reggae, folk, or electronic music, the language is finding new voices, new audiences, and new creative expressions.
With artists from all backgrounds embracing Welsh, and tools like Awni making live music more accessible, the future of Welsh-language music looks brighter than ever. If you haven’t explored it yet, now is the perfect time to dive into the rich, diverse sounds of Welsh-language music—you might just find your new favorite artist.
Where to Start? Check out Welsh-language music on Spotify, YouTube, and live gig venues across Wales. And next year, make sure to join the celebration of Dydd Miwsig Cymru 2026!