THE Parrot Music Bar and Café in Carmarthen is looking forward to a bumper year of live gigs.

On Saturday, the King Street venue welcomes Y Niwl, supported by local singer-songwriter Alex Dingley.

Completing the bill are Y Cyfoes.

Being declared the world's highest altitude surf band by the Super Furry Animals's Gruff Rhys is one thing, but the now Conwy Valley-based group Y Niwl (The Fog) have bagged the ultimate accolade.

The band, made up of Alun Evans, from Llanrwst, on guitar, and his Gwynedd bandmates Sion Glyn on bass, Peter Richardson on drums and Gruff ab Arwel on organ and guitar, have seen their hit Undegpedwar used as the theme tune to the BBC's popular Saturday afternoon Football Focus programme.

"Y Niwl started in January 2009 and we played our first gig in June the same year," said Alun Evans.

"We are an instrumental band.

"Since February last year we have been touring the world with Gruff Rhys, from the Super Furry Animals, as his support act and backing band."

He added: "The makers of Football Focus just approached us not long ago to use our song, it was a great surprise.

"Football Focus has on average 1.5 million viewers so the band obviously thinks it's a great accolade."

Alex Dingley, who comes from Llansteffan, will showcase songs from his two albums, Built In The Ruins Of A Monday Morning, and 2007's debut I Lost My Honey In The Grass.

Dingley is no stranger to the Welsh music scene and he has played in various bands including Texas Radio Band and with Cate Le Bon, before turning solo five years ago.

The members of Y Cyfoes hail from Carmarthen and Whitland.

They say: "All we need are good tunes, good lyrics and to play really well live, we're sorted really."

Matt Davies at The Parrot said the next 12 months were already shaping up to be exciting with acts being booked and plenty to satisfy music lovers.

He added: "The Parrot was mentioned on BBC Radio 1 last week and BBC Radio Wales."

"There is a good buzz about the live music scene in Wales and Welsh acts. The Parrot is establishing itself on the Welsh live circuit and that's one of our aims, to attract bands down the M4 to Carmarthen."

He added: "Y Niwl sold out Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff last week, so anyone that missed that can along to The Parrot."

Doors open at 7.30pm on Saturday and admission is £5.