Want the best food, film, music, arts and culture news sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for regular updates of events happening in Wales Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Charlotte Church's Late Night Pop Dungeon, Super Furry Animals’ Cian Ciarán and Gruff Rhys, Gwenno and Welsh Music Prize-winners, Boy Azooga are to come together in support of Welsh independence.

It's hoped the concert, under the banner of Yes Is More!, will stimulate new debate for an independent Wales and advocate for 'Yes' in a referendum on exiting the United Kingdom.

An alliance of artists will join forces at The Tramshed, Cardiff on Friday, February 15, 2019 to launch a series of Yes Is More! events.

(Image: Publicity Picture)

The concert will be headlined by Charlotte Church's Late Night Pop Dungeon. The former Voice of an Angel turned political activist and rock 'n' roll auteur will take to the stage with her critically-acclaimed all-singing, all-dancing Late Night Pop Dungeon revue, which will see Charlotte and her backing band ripping it up with a veritable smorgasbord of pop classics.

Fast-rising stars Boy Azooga will also perform live, as well as Cardiff grime/punk crew, Astroid Boys, performing tracks from their 2018 debut, Broke, and Welsh band Los Blancos, one of the many excellent new outfits on the Libertino label, who will kick off the night.

(Image: Publicity picture)

In addition, Gruff Rhys and Gwenno will take to the decks for an Anti-Fascist Disco DJ set.

Furries' keyboard player Cian Ciarán, who will also DJ at the event, is one of the driving forces behind the first concert which organisers hope will grow interest in Welsh independence.

He said: “There comes a time where opinion on something like support for Welsh independence breaks out from the ones you’d expect to be involved in the debate, the politicians, activists, the commentariat, and just becomes common sense. Yes Is More wants to showcase some of that.

(Image: Publicity Picture)

"There is a proud tradition here in Wales for standing up for what’s right, we have produced pioneers and visionaries. From the Chartists and Merched Beca to, more recently, the 70 year old NHS and the Welsh Comprehensive educated whistleblower Chelsea Manning.

"As was the case during the Merthyr riots and the birth of the red flag these were hard fought battles and we need to show that creative spirit once again. We can use the tools at our disposal be that music or the visual arts. What better way to communicate and broaden the debate than to diversify and to be inclusive?”

(Image: Publicity Picture)

Gwenno said: "What if there are other ways of co-existing? What if we can organise ourselves differently? There is an innate anarchy to art and an absolute potential in utilising it for the good whilst imagining better futures. We want to continue a conversation about an inclusive self-determination by drawing on our past, embracing our neighbours across the UK and the world with open arms, whilst also making sure that we're singing along to the best possible tune."

(Image: Publicity Picture)

Gruff Rhys added: “Flags, anthems and nationalism for the sake of themselves are cultural dead ends and should be kept for ceremonial sporting events. The beauty of music (and art) on the other hand is how it acts as a precious and secular space beyond the rigidity of politics and nationality where opinions can be discussed and society mirrored, celebrated, ridiculed and criticised. We wish to explore how self-determination could work. How it could help us make a society that values all its inhabitants irrespective of means and background, and how we could take a step back from the colonial, patriarchal and militaristic mindset that prevails.”

(Image: Publicity Picture)

The event will be staged to coincide with the countdown to Brexit, a matter of weeks ahead of the exit from the European Union. The group of supporters of Welsh independence say they are looking tentatively at the potential political repercussions should the UK implement Brexit and break away from the EU.

Gruff Rhys said: “We choose a hopeful, compassionate debate and fear that complacency could risk Wales becoming both a figurative and literal toxic dumping ground for bad ideas. With Wales left out of all political negotiations and dominated by an increasingly misleading nationalist media at UK level, we feel the need to make a song and dance about it.”

The Yes Is More! campaign will soon reveal the support of more of Wales’ leading creative lights, including award-winning actors, filmmakers and visual artists.

Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon, Boy Azooga, Astroid Boys, Los Blancos, Gwenno x Gruff Rhys (Anti- Fascist Disco DJ Set) and Cian Ciarán (DJ Set) - Tramshed, Cardiff, Friday, February 15. Tickets are on sale now from Tramshed Cardiff

For more information see @yesismorecymru on Twitter and via Facebook - www.facebook.com/yesismorecymru