In January members of the Urdd and TG Lurgan came together to create the first-ever music video in both Welsh and Irish languages, ‘Golau’n Dallu / Dallta as na Solise’, an adaption of the popular song ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd. Within a month of its release, the video had surpassed 100,000 views, and registration for the second co-production was opened.
The second production is a cover of a Welsh song by Alffa – who famously became the first band to have a track in the Welsh language pass one million plays on the streaming service Spotify. Currently, ‘Gwenwyn’ stands at over 3M. The cover will also be available on streaming services such as Spotify.
The brand-new production includes contributions by 28 young people from Wales and Ireland. As well as singers, the video includes performances by two dancers who coordinated their choreography together; Aisling Sharkey can be seen dancing on the roof of Phoenix Performing Arts College and Studio in Dublin, and Elan Elidir is on the Ely Trail in Cardiff.
“I think its class that two countries and two minority languages have come together to create something so cool,” said Mirain Iwerydd, one of the leading Welsh singers.
Mícheál Ó Foighil, Director of TG Lurgan said: “We are delighted to continue to strengthen our partnership with the Urdd and I think that this latest project not only demonstrates our people’s talent, but also the deep affection that they hold for their native culture.”
Dion Jones, Alffa’s lead singer and guitarist says: “I love this cover and feel very privileged that this has happened to one of our tracks and am grateful to those who have made it possible!”
‘Gwenwyn’ was released by record label Recordiau Côsh, and thanks to PYST – Wales’ first distribution and label services company for Welsh language music – it has reached audiences over Europe, South America, and Australia.
Yws Gwynedd, from Recordiau Côsh, said: “It’s great that the Urdd has given ‘Gwenwyn’ by Alffa the multilingual treatment. Language barriers have been blown wide open by artists recently, and Alffa was one of Recordiau Côsh’s first bands to receive recognition worldwide for Welsh music.
“This project reminds us that music is a universal language and you don’t always need to understand the words. There’s something truly special about sharing this platform with the Irish language as well – in unity, there’s strength.”
This project has received support from the Welsh Government.