North Wales International Music Festival (NWIMF) and Live Music Now Cymru are entering their third decade of collaboration – a partnership that has transformed the way communities across the region experience live music.
For NWIMF Artistic Director Paul Mealor, this relationship is an essential part of how the festival reaches audiences beyond the concert hall.
“Our partnership with Live Music Now Cymru is an integral part of our festival. Their concerts and events for us are always delivered at the very highest quality and are enjoyed by the many, varied audiences we have – both at the festival and in community venues.”
For over twenty years, Live Music Now musicians have been central to NWIMF’s community strand, bringing the joy of live music to schools, care homes, hospitals, hospices, and family audiences across North Wales.
“Live Music Now Cymru enrich, enable and increase wonderfully what the Festival is able to deliver musically each year. A truly valued partnership.”
Ann Atkinson, Artistic Director, North Wales International Music Festival (2004 – 2023)
Each year, Live Music Now musicians lead a Community Tour as part of the festival. They perform for children in areas experiencing deprivation, pupils with additional learning needs, people living with dementia, and those unable to attend traditional concert venues. This outreach complements the festival’s world-class performances at St Asaph Cathedral, ensuring its impact is felt far beyond the concert hall.
“I was so lucky to have been invited to this performance, it was brilliant, and we enjoyed every minute. Everyone there had a lovely time, and we all learnt so much about the instruments and making music. Diolch to all.”
Frank, Gofal Dydd y Waen audience member
For audiences and carers alike, these concerts provide moments of respite and joy, opportunities for community connection, relaxation, or simply a break from daily routines. They often rekindle an old love of music or spark stories that might otherwise remain untold.
“Thank you for bringing such rich personal live music to the lovely residents of Priory House Care Home. They all truly appreciated the experience and the due respect Live Music Now, the North Wales International Music Festival and Arts Council Wales showed them.”
Prydwen, Activities Coordinator, Priory House Care Home
For the musicians, these moments can also be profoundly moving.
“I think we made a genuine impression on some of the residents. […] Family members play an incredibly important role in these settings, as they are able to communicate on behalf of the residents. We were asked to visit one man in his room who was at the end of his life. He was an amateur violinist, and so we played Summertime […]. The family member was very appreciative.”
Angharad Jenkins, Musician
Stories like this are reflected in the wider numbers too. Since 2015, the Community Tour has delivered 166 concerts across 45 venues, ranging from schools and care homes to day centres, hospitals, and hospices. In total, more than 4,000 individuals over the past decade have enjoyed free concerts, with audiences spanning from toddlers at family events to residents in long-term care.
Looking ahead to the 2026 festival, NWIMF and Live Music Now Cymru remain committed to deepening their collaboration, widening their reach across the community, and continuing to break down barriers to live music.
