Welsh

POA

Wales is a nation within the United Kingdom, and is a culturally, ethnically and politically separate Celtic country. Its traditional music is related to the Celtic music of countries such as Ireland and Scotland.

Welsh folk music has distinctive instrumentation and song types, and is often heard at a twmpath (folk dance session), gwyl werin (folk festival) or noson lawen (traditional party or ceilidh). Modern Welsh folk musicians have sometimes had to reconstruct traditions which had been suppressed or forgotten, as well as compete with imported and indigenous rock and pop trends.

The record label Fflach Tradd has become especially influential. There is also a thriving modern musical scene which spans several genres and two languages. Wales is also traditionally associated with the music of male choirs, with many Welsh Male Choirs, such as the Morriston Orpheus Choir and Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir, enjoying a world wide reputation.

First there is a fairly formal version where the musicians are basically following a traditional trade. They are largely used for formal or semi-formal 'occasions' like weddings or 'Dances' in hotels or village halls. Scottish country dancing like this is regarded as a little plastic, or perhaps formulaic is a more appropriate word. However, Scots do go to these and frequently enjoy them, despite some similarity to 'summer time specials' they are not an artifact of tourism, although a lot of tourists will go as well. The Jimmy Shand band might typify this class of music.

The Second type is the rapidly growing 'new order' of ceilidh music. In this version, formality goes out the window. The main objective is enjoyment, getting the dance steps wrong is almost irrelevant the groups are expected to at least be attempting to push the envelopes of the genre. There is a positive feedback between the audience and group which leads to near frenzy all round. Wolfstone perhaps typify this class of music.

Then there is Gaelic music, which again falls into two categories, the formal and the less so. The formal consists of gaelic choirs up and down the country with the mega event being the national Mod once a year.

The less formal are essentially concert hall based and consist of groups like Runrig, Capercaillie, Clan na Gael.

Now the above are guidelines there is considerable overlap from one genre to the other. The term Celtic music covers several of them and indeed in some branches exchange with Irish artistes is commonplace, indeed several groups are part Irish part Scots e.g., Capercaillie, Waterboys, Relativity.

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