Sarah Claudine, who runs Events, Projects & Communications at Music Venue Trust, said: “We are very proud to have so many remarkable women contribute to MVT, from our core team and coordinators to our board of trustees and patrons and know that this diversity is reflective of the changing face of the wider live music community.” 

We announced 6 new patrons last week, ahead of #IWD2021
Say hello to @NovaTwinsMusic, @adwaithband, @DJMoxie, @haaidj, @kerriwatt, @motherartists
Read more https://t.co/3uA2TeZHzX#WomenToTheFront #ChooseToChallenge pic.twitter.com/pRl5EPWPcU

— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) March 8, 2021

English rock duo Nova Twins said: “We owe so much to grassroots venues. They are the only way new bands can gain experience and start their careers! They support new artists and bring together an incredible community of local music lovers and musicians. They are essential for smaller bands touring around the UK. Without them, we don’t know where we’d be today!” 

Australian DJ and producer HAAi stated: “My first years in the UK were spent playing in and going to grassroots venues. These were so crucial in not only nurturing me as a musician and performer, but also served as a safe house for likeminded creatives. These venues allow freedom of expression. Now, as a touring DJ, I understand the importance of smaller venues in really developing your craft. Without them we would be stuck in a commercial loop that is less accessible to rising talent to break through. Because of this, I am proud to be an ambassador for the Music Venue Trust.” 

Director of Mother Artists Live Natasha Gregory added: “Our industry is (and our communities are) nothing without Grassroots Music Venues. It’s the start of every band’s dreams. It’s where they learn their craft, meet their fans face to face, share a drink, and form a loyal following for years to come, memories to last a lifetime and the only way to build long term solid foundations.”

Music Venue Trust has also marked International Women’s Day by using social media to shine a light on women who are doing vital work in the grassroots venue sector. They have started a campaign using the hashtag #WomenToTheFront to celebrate these fantastic women throughout the week. 

Happy International Women’s Day! This year, MVT are bringing #WomenToTheFront by spotlighting some of our brilliant team- we’ll be posting their stories all week!
Up first is our Strategic Director Beverley Whitrick, talking about the challenges women can face in the industry. pic.twitter.com/qKHNLwidpI

— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) March 8, 2021

BBC Wales is delighted to support Gŵyl 2021!

A free, online festival packed with music, comedy and conversation from Wales and the world.

March 6 & 7, 2021@FOVCardiff @FocusWales @OtherVoicesLive @AberComedyFest
Visit https://t.co/KGcxoJVvHm for more info. pic.twitter.com/M5UuDsZy3T

— BBC Wales (@BBCWales) February 10, 2021

BBC Cymru Wales’ Director General Rhodri Talfan Davies told Wales Online that the festival would provide the public with a welcome escape from the mundanities of lockdown . He said “BBC Wales is delighted to be working with Gŵyl 2021. We all need a blast of creativity, comedy and music right now and this unprecedented partnership with four brilliant Welsh festivals promises to be a real gem.”

Arlo Parks‘ performance at the festival comes on the back of a flurry of glowing commercial and critical successes over the last few months. The Londoner – who was awarded the BBC’s prestigious Introducing Artist of the Year prize for 2020 – saw her debut album Collapse in Sunbeams reach number 3 in the Official UK Albums Chart last month. Reviews for the LP were near-universally positive, with NME hailing the record as “a universal collection of stories that’ll provide solace for listeners of all ages and backgrounds for decades to come.”

As was the case for so many artists, Cate Le Bon was forced to sit through a frustrating succession of postponed live dates in 2020 – including a mammoth North American tour with former War On Drugs guitarist Kurt Vile. The Carmarthenshire-born indie-folk musician is expected to treat Gŵyl’s virtual festival-goers to some of the highlights of her five-album back catalogue; included her most recent offering, 2019’s acclaimed Reward. The singer-songwriter – who collaborated beautifully with compatriots Manic Street Preachers on their 2013 track 4 Lonely Roads – will line-up at Gŵyl alongside another of Welsh rock’s big hitters in Gruff Rhys. The musical partnership dates back to 2008, when Le Bon featured on Neon Neon’s single I Lust For You.

Other names on the eclectic Gŵyl roster include Suede and The Tears frontman Brett Anderson (appearing alongside conductor Charles Hazlewood and the Bristol-based Paraorchestra); 2019 Welsh Music Prize winners Adwaith; Romford-raised BBC Sound of 2021 nominee Berwyn; up-and-coming Neath rapper Luke RV; Wrexham indie-rockers Kidsmoke; harpist Catrin Finch; Cardiff hip-hop merchant Reuel Elijah; and Welsh Language Album of the Year winner Ani Glass. Glass’ 2020 debut LP Mirores – which features vocals in Welsh, English and Cornish – was praised by the Wales Arts Review as “a transcendental work of Welsh electronic music that showcases both mass appeal and artistic integrity.”