GWCCI take centre stage as Principality Stadium entertainment confirmed at Wales V Barbarians
18th October 2023, 11:04 am By Principality Stadium
Principality Stadium is delighted to confirm GWCCI as the half time entertainment for next month’s Wales v Barbarians showdown. This is alongside trailblazing Welsh DJs Kay Russant and former Wales international Josh Navidi who return to the decks following a rapturous reception when Wales hosted South Africa in Cardiff back in August.
All three acts will benefit from a brand new state of the art sound system which has been installed into the stadium. The new system is a collaboration between leading French loudspeaker manufacturer NEXO, the WRU, and Vaughan Sound. NEXO has pedigree within the sporting world internationally, providing performance audio to many stadia including Stade de France in Paris and the Etihad stadium in Manchester.
It’s only fitting GWCCI take to the stage following their incredible support for Wales’ world cup campaign, producing and recording a brand new track for the occasion – and official song for Wales! The song is an homage to Welsh rugby and its place in Welsh culture, paying tribute to some of Welsh rugby’s legends of the game and current internationals . Over the weekend, the group released their brand new video for ‘I’R GÂD’, shot at Principality Stadium and various locations across Wales.
Speaking about performing at the Barbarians game, GWCCI, said:
“We are delighted to be playing at the Barbarians game. We’re proud to be affiliated with such a dedicated and talented team who have represented Wales so honourably this World Cup. It will be a privilege to perform upon their return in front of what we’re sure will be a spirited crowd at the Principality Stadium.”
Check out the official video for I’R GÂD
Both Josh Navidi and Kay Russant return to the decks for the match after a rousing reception last time round.
Kay Russant said about her return to the Stadium:
“I am so excited to be at Principality Stadium. It’s been a bucket list job to now DJ in the stadium I walk past every day as a local Welsh Girl. The Vodafone Summer Series was electric, the Welsh supporters were on top form and we had so much fun picking tracks to get the stadium singing. Wales have played brilliantly during the tournament and we’ll be there ready with a set list full of iconic Welsh anthems and party bangers to keep the party going for their arrival home!”
All three acts will take advantage of a brand new state of the art sound system that has been installed in time for the Barbarians fixture as part of a wider plan to upgrade areas of the Stadium ahead of its 25th anniversary next year. Vaughan Sound who’ve worked tirelessly behind the scenes have a longstanding relationship with the WRU and has also installed audio systems for the SWALEC stadium in Cardiff, The Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli and Bath Rugby.
The system specification, that will transform the sound within the stadium includes the installation of 18x eight-way loudspeaker arrays. These are enhanced with ten sub bass units and a further set of four way loudspeaker arrays that will provide audio coverage to the pitch. The performance public address system is digitally amplified and networked. Incorporated within the design audio coverage is provided to the hospitality suites and under balcony areas.
With some of the biggest artists in the world gracing the home of Welsh rugby and the fiercest of rivalries playing out in major tournaments such as the Six Nations and boxing, it’s only fitting the stadium can accommodate the gravitas of such occasions. The anthem, and the sound of 75,000 fans will never have sounded so spinetingling.
Principality Stadium Manager, Mark Williams said: “When the stadium was built almost 25 years ago, it was only the second stadium in Europe to have a retractable roof. The roof has come to be a defining feature of the venue and it means we came accommodate complex production demands from a variety of events across music, sport and entertainment.
“It’s vital that we maximise the potential of the stadium and continue to invest in its infrastructure and continue to deliver a world-class spectator experience. In recent years we upgraded the jumbotron screens in the stadium bowl and installed a state of the art broadcast quality studio.
“As a stadium famous for its anthem experience and the noise generated by supporters, upgrading the sound system to ensure we’re delivering on experience in line with other major venues across the UK was a natural next step.”
Experience the new sound of Principality Stadium when GWCCI, Josh Navidi and Kay Russant take to the stage as Wales host Barbarians on November 4th (Kick-off 14.30)
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