More about: Independent Venue Week

Gruff Rhys has been announced as this year's Independent Venue Week Ambassador for Wales. 2021 will be the first year that the event will have ambassadors representing each of the four Home Nations - Arlo Parks has already been announced as Ambassador for England.

The annual week is soon - 25-31 January - and is more important than ever before. For the first time ever, the events will take place digitally in the form of streamed interviews, comedy, live shows and quizzes. IVW 2021 will represent 79 indie venues across 53 different parts of the UK. 

Gruff Rhys is a prolific musician, first as lead singer for Super Furry Animals then as a solo artist. On the honour of serving as Ambassador for Wales, Rhys said: "The reality of music is that for most people it's a lifelong passion, and musicians can rarely make a full living out of it, so music exists thanks to people's passion to want to hear music...independent venues keep that spirit going and they make it possible for musicians to play."

Representatives for Scotland and Northern Ireland will be announced later this week - any guesses?

Independent Venue Week 2021 takes place 25-31 January online.

More about: Independent Venue Week