The winner of the prestigious Welsh Music Prize 2022 has been announced. Earlier in October a panel of industry experts whittled down the albums of 130 talented hopefuls to a shortlist of 15 artists all hoping to take home the award.
This year's ceremony was held at the Wales Millennium Centre on Wednesday, October 26 and was presented by BBC Radio 1 presenter Sian Eleri. The event welcomed a live public audience for the first time as part of Llais - Cardiff’s flagship international arts festival. It included performances by some of the shortlisted performers.
The judges - Aoife Woodlock (Other Voices), Matt Wilkinson (Apple Music), Nest Jenkins (ITV Cymru Wales), Sizwe (Artist/Beacons Cymru), Sophie Williams (NME), Tegwen Bruce Deans (Journalist) and Daniel Minty (Minty's Gig Guide) - had the difficult task of choosing one of the nominated albums for the coveted prize, and a £10,000 award.
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Included in the pool of selected artists were established names such as Manic Street Preachers - being nominated for their 14th album, and eight debut albums - Art School Girlfriend, Breichiau Hir, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, Dead Method, Danielle Lewis, L E M F R E C K, Papur Wal and Sywel Nyw. Gwenno's Tresor album, her third, is also nominated for this year’s Mercury Music Prize.
However, the esteemed prize was awarded to Carmarthen-based indie rock group Adwaith with their album Bato Mato - becoming the first band ever to win the prestigious music prize twice. Taking its name from their trusty guide while aboard the Trans-Siberian Express, the album is described as possessing a seemingly cosmic connection to their journey across the frozen outer-reaches of Russia; an allegory for the sonic character of its material, while foreshadowing the glimpses of isolation upon their return home.
Huw Stephens, the Welsh Music Prize’s co-founder, said: “Congratulations and Da Iawn, Adwaith! They have won the WMP for the second time and are the first band to do this. The judges debated and were blown away by the quality of all 15 albums. They felt Bato Mato by Adwaith deserves this title. We are thrilled for the band, who continue to make excellent music and find new fans constantly.”
The charity Help Musicians also supported three Triskel Awardees to grow further with financial support towards their music and careers of up to £5,000 each. The three Triskel Award winners - Aderyn, Minas and Sage Todz - received a £5,000 financial award to assist their careers.
The Triskel Awards are given to three artists who judges believe offer a bright future for music in Wales. This year, the charity has expanded its support for the emerging Welsh talent with one-to-one application writing support and tailored business skills guidance with music industry experts, reinforcing their long-term career plans.
The Welsh Music Prize opened Llais, which returns to Cardiff from October 26 to 30 with an eclectic line-up of international acts including John Cale, Pussy Riot, Cate Le Bon (shortlisted for Welsh Music Prize for her album Pompeii), Death Songbook, Abdullah Ibrahim, Midlake, and black midi.
Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, previously said: “I’m delighted that Creative Wales is supporting the Welsh Music Prize for the fourth year. The shortlist reflects the diversity of genres and artists making such exciting music in Wales today. The Welsh Music Prize is a celebration and recognition of excellence and creativity in Welsh Music – and I’d like to congratulate all those shortlisted and we look forward to the winner being revealed later this month.”
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