08.04.22

The PA systems may be safely packed away, the posters may be peeling off the walls and our ears may have just about stopped ringing, but one week on the praise for Cardiff’s Radio 6 Music Festival continues to reverberate around the city.

There has been universal praise across the media and the internet for the event, which saw some of the world’s biggest and best bands and artists, as well as a host of up-and-coming stars, perform at venues right across Cardiff, including St David’s Hall, the university’s Great Hall, Tramshed and Clwb Ifor Bach.

While the main event, organised by the BBC Music Festival Team, supported by Cardiff Council and Creative Wales, featured acts like the Manic Street Preachers, Johnny Marr, Idles, Father John Misty, Self Esteem, Ezra Collective, Pixies, Khruangbin and Little Simz, the fringe event – the first in the festival’s history – also made a huge impact.

Organised by Creative Wales, part of the Welsh Government, it featured an additional 29 shows across 12 venues supporting an additional 150 Wales-based acts and, in tandem with the main festival, ensured that more than 12,000 lucky ticket holders enjoyed the glorious return of live music after the forced hiatus and supported Cardiff’s aspirations to become an internationally recognised ‘Music City’.

Rhuanedd Richards, Director BBC Cymru Wales said: “Live music is something we’ve all missed during the pandemic so the BBC 6 Music Festival in Cardiff this year was more than just a festival – it was a celebration.

“Working with partners across the city, the venues, artists, crowds and listeners united to rejoice and revel in something we all hold dear.  It was wonderful to hear so many artists from Wales, performing live on stage throughout the weekend, in both our nation’s languages. My thanks to everyone for making it such a special weekend.”

Ruth Cayford, head of creative industries and culture development at Cardiff Council, said: “This really was one of the best things that has happened in the city. This has been so important to further establishing our Cardiff Music City work and highlighting the talent in Cardiff and Wales, as well as bringing the best in the world to Cardiff for people to enjoy.

“It was so nice meeting people over the weekend who had never been to Wales and were loving it. We’ve really enjoyed working with the BBC 6 Music Festival team and Creative Wales team too, so we’ve got so much to build on now to put Cardiff on the map as an international music tourism destination.”

• Tonight, BBC4 is presenting a special one-hour show highlighting some of the best performances from the festival (10.40pm)