Welsh Music Prize Shortlist

A quick look at the 15 shortlisted artists for the 2024 awards.

The Welsh Music Prize has for the last thirteen years been a great way to get a good feel for what’s going on in Welsh contemporary pop and rock. Behind every artist(s) nominated is a story that in one way or another reflects a story of Wales as a broader entity. Here is the music that cuts through the clichés of Wales. Here is the diversity and the passion that so many are often looking for.

The roster of previous winners, like any prize, now consists of the recognised modern classics and the half-forgotten little gems that are always a delight to be reminded of. But the real riches are not so much with the champions, but are with the depth and breadth available on each year’s shortlist.

Even for me, who has a professional interest and capacity for keeping up with such things, the shortlists never fail to bring a new act to my attention. WMP provides that very special function, in that it captures a range of art, whilst also providing a boost to the industry, and creating a buzz around the established and the new. Gruff Rhys was the inaugural winner, and an album of his rarely fails to make the shortlist. Adwaith have won it with both of their albums to date. The prize often throws up a surprise, but I’m not sure if there has ever been a less predictable outcome than there is this year.

So, let’s have a gander at what has made the list for 2024.

And here’s a playlist, very helpfully compiled by Ed Townend, of all the albums, for you check out.

And the winner will be announced on October 8th at a special event at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.