Two-week festival to put city on the UK’s musical map
A NEW Edinburgh Fringe-style music festival is being planned in Cardiff from next year.
Cardiff council is looking into setting up an annual “signature” music event which would be held at a number of venues across the city.
The festival, which would be held either in the summer or autumn next year, would aim to have a big name headline act but also be a platform for emerging Welsh talent.
It would potentially be held over a two-week period and is intended to be a regular event which attracts international audiences.
Music venues across the city would host events throughout the festival similar to the way the Edinburgh Fringe arts festival operates.
The council has been working with the Welsh Government and the private sector to develop proposals for the event.
Councillor Peter Bradbury, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said he hopes the new music festival would help the next big artist from Wales emerge.
He said: “We’re looking at something which can promote grassroots music and also that will attract major acts. We’re looking at something which will start and grow year on year.
“It is exciting. I would like to see it grow into a big event anchored with household names. But the key thing for me is promoting these grassroots artists.
“What we’re trying to do is have a real offer right across different genres.”
The planned new event was a key recommendation by Sound Diplomacy, which the council appointed to come up with a strategy to develop the music scene in Cardiff.
Cardiff council is also set to appoint a music board - a panel which would advise the council on the development of music in the city.
The council’s ruling body is set to approve the appointment of the board - and to authorise officers to come up with detailed proposals for the new signature event - when it meets on Thursday, October 10.
Cllr Bradbury added: “The council is investigating the creation of an annual, signature music event designed to elevate Cardiff and Wales’ cultural presence on the world stage.
“The proposed event has evolved from work done on the tourism strategy and it was also highlighted in the Sound Diplomacy report - commissioned by the council to help Cardiff maximise the full economic and cultural benefit of music to the city.
“The council is intent on seeing Cardiff becoming a leader in the Global Music Cities Movement. Details on the signature event, which would see the city used as a festival site and music industry conference in its own right, have yet to be fully worked through.
“We do, however, believe that the festival will play its part alongside the council’s music strategy on helping make Cardiff the UK’s first Music City.”