New Welsh-language release from Lily Webbe on Tŷ Cerdd’s ‘Sionci’ Label

Marking the continuation of AffriCerdd – Tŷ Cerdd's partnership with the National Eisteddfod, supporting artists of colour to work in Welsh.

July brings the release of Gabriel, a new Welsh-language song by Cardiff-based artist Lily Webbe. The song was originally written in 2025 as part of AffriCerdd, an initiative between Tŷ Cerdd and the National Eisteddfod, which supports musicians of colour to create new music in Welsh. AffriCerdd stems from both organisations’ commitment to engage and support a diverse range of music creators in making work in the Welsh language.  

Lily’s influences span a wide spectrum, from old soul, reggae, and R&B, to jazz, hip‑hop, funk, house, garage, and beyond.  

She said:

“I draw from everywhere, and that range shapes the sound I create. Gabriel is a devotional, atmospheric song that follows a seeker calling out to Archangel Gabriel for grounding, illumination, and rebirth. Blending imagery of roots, fire, and divine light, the song traces a journey from shadow into clarity as Gabriel’s presence becomes a source of guidance, transformation, and spiritual awakening. It’s a hymn-like invocation – part prayer, part surrender – wrapped in the glow of mystical reverence. "

 “This song is about a journey from darkness into light – a moment of reaching out for guidance and finally feeling something answer back.” 

Lily was mentored throughout the process by leading Welsh artist Eädyth Crawford, who developed Lily’s confidence in writing and performing Welsh lyrics. 

AffriCerdd had its genesis in 2021 as an Eisteddfod Amgen project, and has since provided support for several artists of colour in writing new songs in Welsh, including Adjua, Aisha Kigs, Frances Bolley and Asha Jane. 

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AffriCerdd 2026 @ the National Eisteddfod

This year, AffriCerdd features singer-songwriter Sarah Boudreaux, who will perform at the Eisteddfod on the Encore stage on Friday 7 August @ 12.15pm 

Lily Webbe – Gabriel will be released on Sionci and available to stream and download on all major platforms from Friday 17 July 2026. 

Lily Webbe is a Cardiff-based, Welsh Caribbean R&B/soul singer, songwriter, and creative mentor. She co-founded the award-winning music collective SOURCE, is deeply involved in community youth arts, and frequently performs and hosts vocal workshops across Wales. 

Sionci is Tŷ Cerdd’s artist-led label sitting alongside our existing marque, Tŷ Cerdd Records, and has been conceived to enable creative- and career-development for artists, cross-genre. It gives artists the opportunity to take ownership of releasing music, with the support of Tŷ Cerdd, which is then distributed via PYST.