VoxPop: Should Welsh Music Be Government Funded?

A few of the band members hang out in New York

Thanks to the Welsh Music Foundation, local rockers, Joanna Gruesome have spent the last few weeks in the USA, touring in none other than New York City.

The band has had some decent exposure here in the UK, including positive Radio One coverage, but now, thanks to a new scheme developed by the Arts Council of Wales, the Sonic Youth-channeling quintet have been taking the US by storm.

The Support is backed by the Welsh Government and National Lottery; And it’s aim is to help talented, committed Welsh musicians achieve the next level in their career when financial issues stand in their way. The scheme promotes homegrown talent, and seeks to benefit Welsh artists and audiences.

Joanna Gruesome played this year’s Swn festival.

Do you think it is a good idea for the Welsh government to help subsidise musicians?

Christine Grant, 51, Land lady, Cardiff

“Art should be used as an employment tool – musicians should be funded only as far as to keep their entertainment jobs. The arts should be used to benefit, celebrate and help society. It’s a luxury to do exactly what you want and love as your job, it needs to be self funded from a certain point.”

Paul Baker, 37, Sky Team Member, Cardiff

“Definitely, because there’s a large multicultural society in Cardiff and with the music school opera house arts and entertainment, if the money is not put into it, it won’t survive.”

Shiraz Yasin, 26, Law Graduate, Cardiff

“Good idea to subsidise for the arts. Not much money is put into the arts as far as I know”

Helen Murdoch, 24, Retailer, Wiltshire

“It is definitely important to encourage young talent. There is talent under our noses that we might not know about and it is always better to encourage home-grown creativity.”

Glen Rosser,64, Self-Employed, Rhondda-Cynon-Taf

“Good thing in a way but the way the country is at the moment with all the cut backs and everything like that,is it toppriority? If they have the money to give it to them, then give it to them but if they don’t, then that’s the way it goes.”

Yvonne Murray, 59, Housewife, Ferndale

“I think it’s a good idea because I feel in all areas, whether it be music or art or anything like that, I think it’s beneficial and cultural to everybody, in general, to the people who do it and the people who listen and watch.”

Alternative, culture, live music, local, performance, Swn Festival, theatre, vox pop, Welsh Government