Welsh Language Music: Could Welsh songs become mainstream?
2025-02-07
Category: entertainment

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 and 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.