Cardiff is making a noise this St David’s Day, the city is coming together to celebrate Welsh music in all its forms, with Cardiff Music City leading a weekend-long programme across some of the capital’s best grassroots venues with a number of Cardiff Music City presents St David’s Day Sessions.
From market halls to music hubs, this St David’s Day is about singing, playing, listening and discovering, with many of the events free to attend. It is also a chance to explore the city through sound, with the return of the much-loved Cardiff Market Nights at the heart of the celebrations.
The flagship events take over Cardiff Market on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 February, from 5pm to 10pm. The historic market will once again open its doors in the evening for two nights of street food, independent traders and live Welsh music. Radio Sudd are teaming up with Cardiff Music City to curate the line-up, bringing acoustic performances from Welsh artists alongside sets from Wales-based DJs, soundtracking the market until late.
Saturday night also sees a special St David’s Day edition of Tân Cerdd’s Neo-Soul Jam at Chapter, starting at 7pm. This open jam celebrates Wales through Black Welsh and global-majority sound, culture and community, with soul, hip-hop, funk and afrobeat, a guest DJ warm-up, live band and guest artists appearing throughout the night.
On Sunday 1 March, the celebrations spread right across the city. The Welsh Edit at The Canopi runs from 2pm to 10pm, bringing people together through bilingual live music, creative workshops and Welsh-inspired food. The line-up includes Excellent Skeleton, DôN, Meredydd Russell-Jones, Alys North, Me Lee and Brynach, with DJ sets from Kris Jenkins. Expect Welsh cakes, bowls of cawl and a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere celebrating contemporary Welsh culture.
Rock fans can head to Fuel Rock Club on Sunday evening for a headline show from Welsh metal favourites CELAVI, part of the St David’s Sessions. Doors open at 7pm, with tickets priced at £7.70.
Earlier in the day, Paradise Garden on City Road hosts a free all-Welsh electronic session from Ani Glass, running from 3pm to 9pm. Live sets will be followed by a DJ set from Esther, with Junoon Project also hosting a vintage and streetwear market from the yurt.
Rounding off the weekend is Porter’s St David’s Day All Dayer, running from 2pm to 9pm. It is a chance to enjoy the arts centre in a more chilled, daytime setting, celebrating Welsh music, theatre and creativity, in partnership with SceneBean. Tickets are £13.
However you choose to celebrate, Cardiff Music City presents St David’s Day Sessions programme is a reminder of why Wales is known as the Land of Song. From market halls to intimate venues, the city will be singing, playing and proudly flying the flag for Welsh music all weekend long.
