New Attitudes to English Pop Music Positively Impact Welsh Music
Endaf Roberts and Ruby Jones were shortlisted for this year's Cân i Gymru competition.
Changes in attitudes towards English pop music are having a positive effect on Welsh music, according to professionals within the industry.
This follows the release of recent listening statistics by the streaming company Spotify, which show significant growth in the popularity of music in various languages.
Music in 16 different languages now appears on Spotify's Global Top 50 list, including songs in Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, and Arabic. These figures have doubled since 2020.
In response to the list, several Welsh artists have stated that this trend is "opening doors" for Welsh musicians.
Positive Impact on the Welsh Language
Esyllt Williams is one of Wales' most prominent DJs and has been running the popular 'Dirty Pop' night at Clwb Ifor Bach for many years.
Esyllt has witnessed firsthand how young people's listening habits have changed over the years.
Speaking on the Dros Frecwast programme on Friday, she said:
"As we see a shift away from America and Hollywood… we see a shift towards other places in the West as cultural centres of the world.
"Korea and K-pop have had such a big influence on what young people listen to."
According to Esyllt Williams, changes in pop music attitudes can "open doors" for Welsh musicians.
Esyllt believes that developments in streaming services and social media are behind these changes, making global music more accessible.
"It is very easy now to find something, listen to it, change your mind and then dip in and out of music.
"Twenty years ago, when you had to buy music… that was impossible.
"This access has made people more open-minded, and it has had a positive effect on the Welsh music scene."
She went on to say that people are "accepting minority languages and are more willing to listen to music they do not understand.
Speaking about the impact this has on the Welsh language, she was confident it is "a positive thing" that can "open doors for musicians."
Esyllt has travelled around Wales and London as a DJ.
Impact Seen by DJ and Producer Endaf Roberts
One who has seen the effect of this changing trend on his music is DJ and producer Endaf Roberts.
He is a familiar name in the Welsh music world, having recently appeared on the programmes Y Llais and Cân i Gymru.
Following the release of his new song 'Dwisho Deud', he has been surprised by where his listeners come from.
It is now possible to view data showing where the music is being played.
The most popular locations were Liverpool, then London, followed by Melbourne in Australia.
No place in Wales appeared on this list until the sixth position, which was Cardiff.
"The style of music here is not specifically Welsh, but it is popular across different minority genres," he said.
As a producer, Endaf says he tends to listen to different styles and accents rather than focusing on the lyrics.
He believes this attitude towards music will certainly have a positive effect on the Welsh music scene.
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