The Welsh Rugby Union has announced plans to improve the Wales fan experience at the Principality Stadium this autumn, with "Welshness to be dialled up to a hundred".
Wayne Pivac's Wales face New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia and Australia in the Autumn Nations Series in November.
The much-loved choirs will return in full voice, with a mixed-voice choir of more than 150 singers taking to the pitch for each match for a medley of songs supported by The Royal Welsh Regimental Band, before occupying their traditional position behind the players for the Welsh national anthem.
Radio and TV presenter Huw Stephens is coming on board to lead the soundscape of a Welsh rugby matchday, while music from Welsh groups, choirs and artists is set to be front and centre. Live music fan zones will also be re-introduced to two concourses and a third space in the new hospitality lounge, the Riverside Terrace, as the venue returns to pre-Covid levels of matchday entertainment.
Musical theatre group Welsh of the West End, who starred in Britain's Got Talent this year, will also perform on the pitch ahead of the All Blacks and Australia clashes, before joining the choirs for the anthem.
This announcement of pre-match entertainment comes after some criticism of the quality of the matchday experience in recent campaigns, particularly compared to the offering at Wales football internationals.
“Music is an important element to a matchday, helping to build excitement from the time gates open, to the moment teams run out and the cheers of the crowd reaches a crescendo," stadium manager Mark Williams said.
"In recognition of the extraordinary music talent in Wales and the choral matchday sound that has become synonymous with Principality Stadium; we are proud to introduce Stadium Sounds (Synau’r Stadiwm), a contemporary, digital and live stadium music experience, designed to complement the existing traditional musical elements of a matchday.
“Through our work with Huw, the WRU and Principality Stadium have committed to supporting established and upcoming Welsh artists and featuring them heavily throughout the matchday experience inside the stadium bowl. This is the home of Welsh rugby, and supporters can expect the ‘Welshness’ to be dialled up to a hundred in the Autumn Nations Series.”
Huw said: "To be asked to bring some brilliant music to the stadium on the day is very exciting and will surprise and enhance the day for everyone, I hope. There is so much great music being made by Welsh artists, and to have them playing before the Wales games, in and around the stadium, is going to be very special."
Haydn James, WRU musical director for more than 20 years, said: "Even though we had choirs and a band perform at each of the three 2022 Six Nations games in February and March, there were still some post-Covid restrictions in place, so the autumn series in November will be the first time any sort of normality has returned to pre-match music since the France game in February 2020. The aim, at every game, is to provide the highest possible standard of singing, but also to ensure that everyone enjoys the day and this very unique experience."
Principality Stadium manager Mark added: "We know from post-match surveys that our supporters have deeply missed the choirs and regimental band, and the pageantry that goes with a match day."
Band Pres Llareggub, Eadyth and Tom Jenkins have been confirmed to perform live ahead of Wales v New Zealand on November 5, with choirs including stadium debutants Ynysowen, which was formed in the wake of the Aberfan disaster in 1966, Brythonaid, John’s Boys and Cor Dyffryn Aman.
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