C2 Radio Cymru, Maes B and Mentrau Iaith Cymru are looking for Wales’ best new bands to take part in a brand new Brwydr y Bandiau (“Battle of the Bands”) competition jointly launched today ( January 26).
This year sees the combination of two competitions held previously, one organised by the National Eisteddfod and Maes B and the other by C2 Radio Cymru and Mentrau Iaith Cymru, and aims to provide an opportunity for young talent keen to make their mark on the Welsh music scene, and will offer a wide range of opportunities for the competitors and valuable experience within the scene.
Welcoming the competition and the partnership, presenter Lisa Gwilym said: “One of my 2014 highlights was broadcasting live from Maes B on C2 with Huw Stephens, so it’s great news that we’re coming together like this to give young bands new experiences. Introducing new and exciting music on C2 every week is my passion, and I think Brwydr y Bandiau is a great way of discovering the next generation of talent that’s out there.”
Speaking on behalf of Maes B, Guto Brychan said: “The aim of this competition is to strengthen the music scene here in Wales, giving young people an opportunity to showcase their talents. We welcome the opportunity to work closely with C2 Radio Cymru and Mentrau Iaith Cymru and it’s a chance to experiment with new ideas in the hope that the bands and the scene generally will benefit from this.”
As well as performing a set in Maes B and recording a session for C2 Radio Cymru, the winner will also be filmed for the Ochr 1 programme on S4C and appear in Welsh magazine, Y Selar. The winner will also receive a prize of £1,000, with an additional £100 available for the best musician.
All those reaching the final will also take part in a brand new mentoring scheme organised by C2 Radio Cymru, which will offer help and support to the young performers. The earlier rounds will be held during gigs in various parts of Wales, details of which will be announced soon.
The opportunities being made available to competitors is an important part of the competition’s appeal according to Emily Cole from Mentrau Iaith Cymru. She said: “Mentrau Iaith Cymru is looking forward to working with C2 Radio Cymru and Maes B to stage this year’s competition, and to see what new Welsh talent we’ll find. We want to attract a wide range of bands and performers to compete, including those who won’t have had the chance to perform to such a wide audience in the past.”
The closing date is March 16 and the regional rounds will be held across Wales during April and May. The final will be held on Llwyfan y Maes at the Montgomeryshire and the Marches National Eisteddfod on Tuesday evening, August 4.
You can register online – www.maesb.com – and this is where you’ll find the terms and conditions for the competition. The competition is open to those between 16 and 25 years old.
