Following several examples of high-profile threats facing music venues in Wales, the National Assembly's Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee is launching an inquiry to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the music industry.
Many belonging to the industry, as well as those who enjoy music, believe that Welsh venues for live music are struggling whilst UK figures from UK Music reveal that 35 per cent of music venues have closed over the last decade.
The Committee will look at issues affecting the music industry across Wales and will begin with venues and festivals both in urban and rural areas. Following on from this the Committee will move on to looking at other issues facing the music industry, such as opportunities for talent development and the sustainability of the Welsh music scene.
Launching the inquiry, Bethan Sayed AM, Chair of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee said:
"Wales is a musical nation and we all take pride in that. But in order for it to survive and thrive as an industry we need to understand the challenges and opportunities facing venues, artists and all those who contribute to the success of the industry.
"The music scene in Wales is full of talent but for the next generation of Welsh artists to flourish we need to act now to support them and future artists in every way we can.
"Our committee want to hear from all those with a stake in the industry and to hear what can be done to help."
Guto Brychan, Chief Executive of Clwb Ifor Bach & Sŵn added:
"It has been a challenging few years for the music in Wales. The closure of a number of prominent grassroots music venues has severely limited the opportunities available for new and emerging artists as well as having a negative impact on the cultural output of many Welsh towns and cities. As such I welcome this decision by the National Assembly's Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee to examine the issues faced by the sector.
"Wales continues to produce great new artists and the outcomes of this inquiry will lay the foundations to strengthen the infrastructure needed to sustain and develop the Welsh music industry for the future."