Croeso! Cheers for checking out our monthly new Welsh music column. As always, we’ll be using it to reflect on the finest recent releases by up-and-coming musicians in the beautiful land of Cymru. Wales may be small (our population roughly equals Greater Manchester’s) but our cultural output is extensive and brimming with personality, but it all too often fails to get projected far beyond our borders.
In terms of notable events in June, the acclaimed dance festival Gottwood took place up on Anglesey, stellar Swansea mag ABABCB launched their sixth issue, while in Cardiff the two-day, multi-venue Vela Pulsar Festival made its debut, Cardiff Castle opened its doors for a stacked summer bill of huge gigs and the Principality Stadium (a tip for anyone visiting: we still call it the Millenium Stadium ) hosted the likes of Foo Fighters and someone called Taylor Swift . Staying in Cardiff, the excellent new venue and arts space Sustainable Studio opened its doors, while city institution Porter’s launched an urgent appeal for financial assistance. In terms of releases, established acts such as indie folk star Georgia Ruth released a lovely new full-length, while beloved hip-hop mob Goldie Lookin’ Chain put out a fun mixtape.
June also saw new tracks from burgeoning musicians such as Lila Zing, Half Happy, MANLIKEVISION, James & The Cold Gun, Megan Wyn, Ivor Woods, The Eggmen Wooo!, Tom Emlyn, Sage Todz, The Shunkos, Mr Bewlay, Tokomololo, Campfire Social and plenty of others..