Thanks to funding we secured from Tŷ Cerdd, The F-List and Out and Wild Festival collaborated together to continue to raise the profile of LGBTQIA+ women within the music industry, including at festivals.
Both Out and Wild Festival and The F-List share a similar ethos in ensuring those who are underrepresented across the industry are not only given a platform to showcase their talent but also raise the profile of this cause. Out and Wild Festival are keen to showcase Queer/LGBTQIA+ Women, artists from the trans community, Non-Binary People and Gender nonconforming people as well as People of Colour on their stages. Representation is not a tick box exercise for The F List or Out and Wild but something at the very core of their ethos’ and foundation.
This project had numerous layers and aspects and we were delighted to support Welsh singer songwriter Catrin Herbert to perform at both Out and Wild Festival and Pembrokeshire Pride. In addition, during Out and Wild Festival, Catrin led a bilingual singing workshop which used music as a catalyst for promoting the Welsh Language whilst promoting creativity and the connection this has on wellbeing.
As if that wasn’t enough, Catrin and other professional musicians also engaged with and supported young people from challenging backgrounds who attend a pioneering project called Y-Talent at YMCA Swansea. They shared their stories and participated in sessions that helped them prepare for a showcase which takes place in February. The experienced artists inspired young, Welsh musicians to pursue their passion for music and allowed them to access opportunities that would not otherwise be available to them; the package of workshops delivered to those who benefitted most from them and empowered the next generation of performers in Swansea.
Catrin Herbert performed at Out and Wild this June. Catrin is an incredibly talented singer-songwriter who moved the crowd with her soulful Welsh tones whilst simultaneously raising the profile of the Welsh Language to the diverse audience through her music. She is a young, lesbian singer and songwriter from Cardiff. Her first EP, “Y Gwir, Y Gau a Phopeth Rhwng y Ddau”, included two singles of the week on Radio Cymru. Catrin combines her passion for the Welsh Language and talent for song writing to create stunningly soulful music. Her performances mesmerise her audiences as she envelops them with her smooth tone and melodies. As well as being shortlisted for Female Artist of the Year on Radio Cymru’s 2012 Rock and Pop Awards, the single “Disgyn Amdanat Ti” was voted third in a public vote for the Sianel 62 awards; Catrin was the only female artist to reach the top ten in these awards.
We believe The F-List is a pioneering tool for event and festival organisers as well as for musicians and artists alike. It is of paramount importance that we use a variety of avenues to raise our profile, not only for the benefit of female and/or other underrepresented musicians, but also to educate people on the cause of ensuring that stages and venues offer a diverse range of talent; including women.
There is a real synergy between Out and Wild, YMCA Swansea, Pembrokeshire Pride and The F-List which is something relatively unique but very special. The young people this project will support will undoubtedly benefit from this consortium of passionate charities and organisations who are dedicated to ensuring representation within the industry whilst providing opportunities and stages which recognise the diverse range of talent and showcasing it.
We are so grateful to Tŷ Cerdd for the support and funding which has allowed such a transformational, multi-faceted project to exist and we are looking forward to sharing the outcomes with you all.