Gwenno, Boy Azooga, Bryde, Manic Street Preachers, Gruff Rhys and Seazoo are amongst the artists whose albums have been nominated for the Welsh Music Prize 2018. Gwenno who won the award for her debut album in 2015, is once again recognised for the sumptuous Le Kov – an excavation of Cornish history steeped in shimmering sonics, whilst fast rising Heavenly Cardiff group Boy Azooga get recognition for 1,2 Kung Fu. Plus there’s a well-deserved nod for Bryde’s gorgeous Like an Island, a place for Cardiff hip-hop collective Astroid Boys with ‘Broke’, and Eugene Capper and Rhodri Brooks whose album ‘Pontvane’ released on Bubblewrap Collective caught our ear.
Elsewhere the Manic Street Preachers return to the shortlist for their album Resistance is Futile as does previous winner Gruff Rhys and North Walian indie pop scamps Seazoo claim a well-deserved mention for the infectious Trunks. Records from MELLT, Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita, and Alex Dingley and Toby Hay make up the rest of the 12 shortlisted albums.
The winner of the eighth annual prize will be chosen by a panel of industry experts and announced on 7th November at a ceremony in Cardiff.
The event is sponsored by Welsh Government Creative Industries, PPL and PRS for Music.
John Morris, PRS for Music senior membership relations manager, Wales, said: ‘There were many great Welsh albums released this year and the list of nominees selected paint a rich picture of the Welsh music landscape, with a myriad of genres and styles. Congratulations to all those nominated – we look forward to celebrating with you all next month.’
Previous Welsh Music Prize winners are Gruff Rhys (2011), Future of the Left (2012), Georgia Ruth (2013), Joanna Gruesome (2014), Gwenno (2015), Meilyr Jones (2016) and the Gentle Good (2017).
The full Welsh music prize 2018 shortlist
• Astroid Boys: Broke
• Boy Azooga: 1, 2, Kung Fu
• Bryde: Like an Island
• Eugene Capper and Rhodri Brooks: Pontvane
• Alex Dingley: Beat the Babble
• Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita: Soar
• Gwenno: Le Kov
• Toby Hay: The Longest Day
• Manic Street Preachers: Resistance Is Futile
• Mellt: Mae’n Hawdd Pan Ti’n Ifanc
• Gruff Rhys: Babelsberg
• Seazoo: Trunks
