'No reason Welsh music can't be next Gangnam Style'

Welsh music is experiencing a significant transformation, and many believe it has the potential to achieve the same level of global recognition as the hit song 'Gangnam Style'. This perspective is shared by Molly Palmer, a BBC radio DJ and presenter, who notes that Welsh music has evolved from its traditional roots of 'boys and guitars' to encompass a wide array of genres. Tara Bandito, a prominent musician in the scene, echoes this sentiment, expressing her excitement about the increasing presence of women in Welsh music. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Welsh Language Music Day, which aims to highlight grassroots and community venues throughout Wales. The phenomenon of 'Gangnam Style', released by South Korean rapper PSY in 2012, took the world by storm, becoming the most-watched video on the internet. Molly Palmer emphasized that listeners do not need to understand the lyrics of a song to appreciate it. She stated, '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. ' Palmer recalls that when she first encountered Welsh language music, it was predominantly male artists with guitars, but now there is a rich diversity of styles and genres available. She believes that there is truly something for everyone in the current Welsh music landscape. Tara Bandito also highlighted the evolution of the Welsh music scene, describing it as eclectic and vibrant. She noted that while the scene is gaining recognition, there is still a long way to go. Bandito mentioned the success of artists like Gruff Rhys and the Super Furries, expressing hope that Welsh music continues on its upward trajectory. During her visits to schools, she has been pleasantly surprised by how familiar children are with Welsh language music. Bandito believes that parents and teachers are actively nurturing an appreciation for Welsh music among young people, and it seems to be resonating with them. This weekend, a new show called 'Y Llais' will premiere on S4C, which is a Welsh-language adaptation of the globally popular series 'The Voice'. The show will be hosted by Sian Eleri from BBC Radio 1, and one of the coaches will be Sir Bryn Terfel, an internationally acclaimed opera singer. He will be joined by three other coaches from various musical backgrounds, all working together to discover the next wave of Welsh musical talent.