Welsh-language post-punk trio Adwaith has been crowned the winner of the 2019 Welsh Music Prize with their album Meyln.
The winning album was chosen by a panel of industry experts who deliberated over a shortlist of twelve records and was revealed yesterday (Wednesday) at the award ceremony at The Coal Exchange.
The band formed in 2015 in Carmarthen and is comprised of Hollie Singer, Gwenllian Anthony and Heledd Owen.
The trio overcame competition from acts like Cate Le Bon and Estrons and their win follows an appearance at M in Montreal.
Meredydd Evans & Phyllis Kinney were awarded the Welsh Music Inspiration Award and Arwel Rocet Jones collected the award on behalf of the pair, after Meredydd sadly passed away in 2015.
This year’s ceremony also featured the new Triskel Award, which was given to three artists who offer a bright future for music in Wales.
It was awarded to Rosehip Teahouse, Los Blancos and Hana2k who will receive an industry support package to help kick start their careers.
The award is supported by Help Musicians UK and the three artists will receive a creative development award of £500, free access to the Musicians Hearing Health Scheme (MHHS) and two hours of business planning.
The Welsh Music Prize is supported by PRS for Music, PPL, British Council Wales, the Welsh Government, Ctrl Design, Tiny Rebel, Musicians' Union, On Par Productions and Cowshed.
In their acceptance speech Adwaith said: ‘This is so insane! Thank you to everyone that bought the album, and everyone that has helped us and supported us.’
Huw Stephens described the album as: ‘A very exciting and deserved winner from an exceptional shortlist. Adwaith have made a real impact with their personal, beautiful music that captures what it’s like to be young, female, frustrated and bewildered at the world we live in.’
Peter Leathem, chief executive officer, PPL, commented: ‘Each year the Welsh Music Prize returns with a wealth of talent and creativity that reflects the quality of the country’s music scene. It has gone from strength to strength in the last decade, with events like Swn Festival and FOCUS Wales, alongside the Welsh Music Prize, providing a platform for artists to show their talents to the world. The rewards of this are now being seen; the Arts Council of Wales has described this period as “a golden age for Welsh music.
'PPL seeks to support the Welsh music industry not just through our involvement with these music showcases, but also by providing an important revenue stream to our members across the country. In addition, we also help Welsh artists develop their careers through our work with PRS Foundation, to whom we provide significant funding.
'To help support and showcase Welsh music is a privilege and we congratulate not just Adwaith on their win, but all the artists nominated and also featured on the long list. We wish them every success.'
The twelve Welsh Music Prize 2019 shortlist albums were as follows:
Accü – Echo The Red
audiobooks – Now! (in a minute)
Carwyn Ellis – Joia!
Cate Le Bon – Reward
Deyah – Lover Loner
Estrons – You Say I’m Too Much I Say You’re Not Enough
HMS Morris – Inspirational Talks
Lleuwen – Gwn Flan Beibl
Lucas J Rowe – Touchy Love
Mr – Oesoedd
Adwaith – Melyn
VRï – Ty ein Tadau
Photo credit: Joe Singh
The winning album was chosen by a panel of industry experts who deliberated over a shortlist of twelve records and was revealed yesterday (Wednesday) at the award ceremony at The Coal Exchange.
The band formed in 2015 in Carmarthen and is comprised of Hollie Singer, Gwenllian Anthony and Heledd Owen.
The trio overcame competition from acts like Cate Le Bon and Estrons and their win follows an appearance at M in Montreal.
Meredydd Evans & Phyllis Kinney were awarded the Welsh Music Inspiration Award and Arwel Rocet Jones collected the award on behalf of the pair, after Meredydd sadly passed away in 2015.
This year’s ceremony also featured the new Triskel Award, which was given to three artists who offer a bright future for music in Wales.
It was awarded to Rosehip Teahouse, Los Blancos and Hana2k who will receive an industry support package to help kick start their careers.
The award is supported by Help Musicians UK and the three artists will receive a creative development award of £500, free access to the Musicians Hearing Health Scheme (MHHS) and two hours of business planning.
The Welsh Music Prize is supported by PRS for Music, PPL, British Council Wales, the Welsh Government, Ctrl Design, Tiny Rebel, Musicians' Union, On Par Productions and Cowshed.
In their acceptance speech Adwaith said: ‘This is so insane! Thank you to everyone that bought the album, and everyone that has helped us and supported us.’
Huw Stephens described the album as: ‘A very exciting and deserved winner from an exceptional shortlist. Adwaith have made a real impact with their personal, beautiful music that captures what it’s like to be young, female, frustrated and bewildered at the world we live in.’
Peter Leathem, chief executive officer, PPL, commented: ‘Each year the Welsh Music Prize returns with a wealth of talent and creativity that reflects the quality of the country’s music scene. It has gone from strength to strength in the last decade, with events like Swn Festival and FOCUS Wales, alongside the Welsh Music Prize, providing a platform for artists to show their talents to the world. The rewards of this are now being seen; the Arts Council of Wales has described this period as “a golden age for Welsh music.
'PPL seeks to support the Welsh music industry not just through our involvement with these music showcases, but also by providing an important revenue stream to our members across the country. In addition, we also help Welsh artists develop their careers through our work with PRS Foundation, to whom we provide significant funding.
'To help support and showcase Welsh music is a privilege and we congratulate not just Adwaith on their win, but all the artists nominated and also featured on the long list. We wish them every success.'
The twelve Welsh Music Prize 2019 shortlist albums were as follows:
Accü – Echo The Red
audiobooks – Now! (in a minute)
Carwyn Ellis – Joia!
Cate Le Bon – Reward
Deyah – Lover Loner
Estrons – You Say I’m Too Much I Say You’re Not Enough
HMS Morris – Inspirational Talks
Lleuwen – Gwn Flan Beibl
Lucas J Rowe – Touchy Love
Mr – Oesoedd
Adwaith – Melyn
VRï – Ty ein Tadau
Photo credit: Joe Singh
