The success of the Manic Street Preachers helped catapult Welsh bands from playing pub venues to arenas within a couple of years.
While the Manics used to downplay their roots in Blackwood, Gwent, Catatonia's lead singer Cerys Matthews (pictured) has sung about her pride in her origins. The Stereophonics - from Cwmanan, near Aberdare - annoyed English fans by showing video footage of Wales defeating England at rugby at a concert.
The Super Furry Animals have a loyal following, as have Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - a far cry from Wales' previous musical ambassadors, Pontypridd's Tom Jones, and Shirley Bassey, from Cardiff's Tiger Bay.