Sŵn festival, Cardiff’s original multi-venue music festival, will make a huge return this weekend with more venues and acts than ever before.
This year Sŵn festival has made a strong commitment to harnessing Welsh language talent. It will run from 17 – 20 October and will focus on Welsh and international sound.
Established in 2007, Sŵn 2018 is now firmly in the hands of top music venue Clwb Ifor Bach.
In comparison to previous lineups, there is a stronger overtone propelling new Welsh acts to the forefront of the event.
Headliner Gwenno, notable for her debut album, Y Dydd Olaf, will be joined by Carmarthen outfit Adwaith on Wednesday. Using the language as their platform for self-expression, the bands are making a cultural statement in their own right, acknowledging the resurgence in Welsh language and the pride associated with it.
Acts such as Breichiau Hir and Patblygu are also on the bill performing a wide range of material in the Welsh language.
Zac Mather, who works closely with Clwb Ifor Bach and Sŵn, has a clear view of the value of Welsh language in the Cardiff scene. “ Sŵn festival is very important to Welsh bands looking to firmly establish themselves,” he says. “From a Welsh language perspective, bands that write and perform in the language have an outlet and this means there is a movement out there that people can truly relate to.”
Young bands like Adwaith bring a fresh take on Welsh language music, stepping away from traditional associations and providing a contemporary sound. This dedication Sŵn has to the Welsh language is in keeping with the vision for one million Welsh speakers by 2050, according to gov.wales.
Offering the best in post-punk, rock and indie, Sŵn festival works a platform for both established and lesser-known bands to showcase their material. The festival kicks off on Wednesday at Tramshed and will run until Sunday.
