English may be the world's second most widely-used language but Hot House Flowers front man Liam Ó Maonli will be in Inverness next month to argue the case for minority languages to find their way into mainstream music.

Ó Maonli - who is famously quoted as saying 'words, particularly English words, are not enough' - joins a panel of music industry experts for the 'Why English?' debate taking place at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel on Thursday June 7 and which forms part of this year's goNorth festival.

Joining Ó Maonli will be former Runrig singer Donnie Munro, broadcaster and musician Bruce MacGregor, Nial Iain Dòmhnallach from BBC Radio nan Gaidheal and Inger Dirdal of the Norwegian Music Export Office.

With a particular focus on Gaelic, the panel will discuss issues facing other languages and the potential barriers for musicians seeking to promote non-English language music in the UK and United States - two of the world's biggest music markets.

Event organiser and Inverness-based musician Brian Ò hEadhra says he hopes the event raises awareness of the needs of minority language songwriters.

"We want to make more industry folk realise that there is a huge national and international interest in our indigenous language and culture, both traditional and contemporary.

"There have been Gaelic hits in the past with bands such as Clannad, Capercaille, Runrig, but little of late. I don't see why we can't have another Gaelic hit both here in Scotland and abroad.

"The whole chart and music industry is changing fast but the main thing is that song writers still chose to write in their native language and that we as an industry and buying pubic support and buy their music."

goNORTH is the Highland's largest showcase festival event aimed specifically at creative industries. This the first year it has been held in the Highland capital. On June 7 and 8 there are packed day-long programmes when anyone with an interest is encouraged to come along to hear and discuss issues with those working at the top of the music, fashion and screen world; to network with other writers, designers or composers and to contribute views on the future of creative industries. For a full programme and further details log onto http://www.gonorth.biz/

June 7 -11am-1pm Screen and broadcast; 12.30-3pm Why English?; 1-3pm Writing/publishing, Colin Larkin, to book one-to-one session with Colin email peter@hi-arts.co.uk; 2-4pm screen and broadcast commissioners; 3-5pm designer fashion; 3.30-4.30pm keynote interview with Jazz Summers, band manager; 4.30-5.15pm presentation of international showcases; 5.15-6.15pm creative speed dating; 6.30pm reception; 8.45pm showcases.

June 8 - 10.30-2pm music panel; 2-2.30pm launch of Scottish music futures fund; 3-4pm keynote interview with Alan McGee, Creation Records; 4.30pm Perth College; 6-8pm mystery tour - booking required; 8.45 showcases. All events take place at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, for more information on every event, log onto http://www.gonorth.biz/