What a treat I had this Saturday. It was a chance to see two amazing performances FOR FREE in an intimate library setting. I really enjoy music but rarely allow myself the opportunity to watch live bands as often as I used to as the late evening performances don’t suit the schedules of a mum of three. But this was an afternoon gig, from 4-6pm, how civilised! I invited my almost teenage daughter and we headed over to the South Wales Miners’ Library on a blustery Saturday afternoon for a wonderful afternoon of music.

This was a re-scheduled gig, part of Swn Y Silffoedd / Libraries Live. (Horizons / Gorwelion, BBC Cymru Wales, Arts Council of Wales and Y Selar are behind the initiative.)

The bands were due to play during Libraries Week (8-13 October, 2018) and it was an opportunity to showcase the different creative and innovative activities that libraries have to offer with a focus on wellbeing.

So, offering a live music event in a library is a wonderful vehicle because:

1. libraries can be used as creative spaces to host gigs
2. university level research demonstrates strong links between music and improved wellbeing

I very much embrace using libraries as places to host an assortment of events. In my day job I’m responsible for the weekly song and rhyme times that have become an accepted part of the offer for public libraries but it’s fantastic to see film nights, author talks and craft classes regularly provided. I would love to see gigs available routinely too.

So who played?

@ISEERIVERS hailing from Norway but based in Pembrokeshire performed first. My connection with the band has been through the playlists they’ve been featured on Spotify so it was terrific to see them live. Their appearance was very chilled and I can see why they describe their sound as ‘float folk’. Lovely melodies!

@eadythofficial the bilingual soul / dance / electronic artist from Merthyr has been a firm favourite in our house for some time. We’ve watched her career grow after taking part in the Cân i Gymru (Song for Wales) and Brwydr y Bandiau (Battle of the Bands) competitions. Eädyth was so comfortable performing her new material and enjoyed challenging the stereotype of no noise in the library. I really enjoyed her Welsh language cover of Massive Attack’s Teardrop Dagrau.

It was great to share the live music experience with my daughter, who in the past has found the traditional festival / gig experience too adult and more than a little intimidating. In contrast the library setting was very informal and friendly. It was small and offered something different from the standard event.

Feel inspired to host? Contact the makers and shakers to see what it takes to host.
Horizons / Gorwelion is a scheme delivered by BBC Cymru Wales in partnership with Arts Council Wales to develop new, independent contemporary music in Wales. Email: horizons@bbc.co.uk
Get it Loud in Libraries has been on offer in the UK since 2005 as a way to increase access to libraries and develop youth talent. Fill out a contact form here.