Look up next time you’re walking down Womanby Street. High on the old brick wall opposite the Gwenno mural, a line from the Manic Street Preachers has been painted in faded lettering, as though it has always been there.
The new public artwork was created during Cardiff Music City Festival by Welsh artist Sean Edwards and features a Nicky Wire lyric from the Manics song Deleted Scenes. Delivered with the band’s blessing, it is the first in a series of lyric-based installations celebrating Welsh music and creativity that will gradually appear across the city, part of Cardiff Council’s work to put music at the heart of Cardiff’s future.
A local lad, a world stage
Sean Edwards grew up in Llanedeyrn. He represented Wales at the 2019 Venice Biennale and was awarded a Turner Prize Bursary in 2020, and his recent solo exhibitions include shows in Dublin, Berlin and at National Museum Wales here in Cardiff.
His Venice piece, Undo Things Done, drew on his own experience of growing up on a council estate. It included a live radio play, made with National Theatre Wales, which his mother performed every day for seven months from her home in Cardiff. It was later adapted for BBC Radio 4.
Speaking about the new installation, he said: “It means a lot to be invited to work with this Manic Street Preachers lyric in such a prominent space for grassroots music in my hometown, and as part of [a] festival that celebrates that scene.
“When I was approached with the lyric it was serendipitous as that particular line and song from the most recent album struck a chord for me. As a Manics fan having the opportunity to weave Nicky’s lyrics into my work has been a dream come true.
“I hope it will connect with a lot of people. The design sets the work as a ghost sign – as though it’s always been present, speaking to us about our futures whilst seemingly talking from the past, echoing the lyrics call for us to look at ourselves.”
Who chooses the words?
“Manic Street Preachers lyrics have always been loaded with social commentary and there are so many that could have been chosen, but this Nicky Wire lyric really stands out for me,” said Ruth Cayford, the Cardiff Music City Festival Curator who picked the line for this first installation.
“We’re already talking about future installations – and the lyrics won’t all be chosen by me. We’re going to be asking lots of different people linked to the music scene in Wales to pick the lyrics and working with more brilliant artists to bring them to life.”
The idea of a Cardiff Music City project built around lyrics grew out of a conversation with Cardiff-based PR agency Working Word.
Music at the heart of the city
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Womanby Street plays such an important role in Cardiff’s grassroots music scene and Manic Street Preachers are one of Wales’ most important and influential bands, so it’s fitting that they have been brought together for the city’s first lyric artwork.
“Music is central to our vision for Cardiff’s future. Through Cardiff Music City, we’re providing funding and support to grassroots venues, helping nurture new talent, bringing thousands of music lovers to the city to enjoy Cardiff Music City Festival and with these new artworks, using culture and creativity to strengthen the city’s identity as a leading music destination.”
Cardiff Music City Festival runs until 17 October, bringing together Sŵn Festival, Llais and the Welsh Music Prize alongside performances, talks, pop-ups, exhibitions and special events in venues across the capital. Full listings are at cardiffmusiccityfestival.wales
Where to find it
Womanby Street, Cardiff city centre, opposite the Gwenno mural, which Cardiff Council delivered with artists Mark James and Bradley Woods in 2015.
City Life Tip!
Stand by the Gwenno mural and turn around. Two of the street’s artworks, ten years apart, face each other across a few metres of pavement, and the venues that made Womanby Street famous are right on hand when you’ve finished looking.
Main picture: Cardiff Council.
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More music in the city
Cardiff’s young voices are getting their moment too. Read about Codi Llais, the city-wide youth singing project.
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