Welsh Music Prize: Indie rock band Adwaith win top award

Indie rock band Adwaith have been crowned winners of the Welsh Music Prize 2022 at a ceremony in Cardiff.

The Welsh-language all-female group of Hollie Singer, Gwenllian Anthony and Heledd Owen won the award for their album Bato Mato.

The trio from Carmarthen beat 130 artists across genres, including the likes of Manic Street Preachers, Gwenno and Cate Le Bon, for the £10,000 prize.

Mike Peters of the Alarm won the Welsh Music Inspiration Award.

"Music is at the beating heart of Wales," said award co-founder Huw Stephens.

"It's great to see another excellent selection of albums highlighted this year."

The award scheme started in 2011, and aims to celebrate music made in Wales.

It is supported by Creative Wales, and is this year part of Llais - Cardiff's annual vocal music festival.

This year's winners Adwaith follow in a long succession of artists and albums which have gone on to national and international success.

Last year's winning album, Inner Song by Kelly Lee Owens, explored the personal pain of her own struggles, while embracing the beauty of the natural world.

She was the first recipient of the £10,000 prize, which as well as supporting her musical work, has funded charitable activity in north Wales.

She has also released the theme song for next year's Women's World Cup.

The charity Help Musicians will also support three recipients of the Triskel award - which was created by the Welsh Music Prize for emerging artists - with financial aid towards their music and careers of up to £5,000 each.

Welsh government deputy minister for arts and sport, Dawn Bowden, said: "The shortlist reflects the diversity of genres and artists making such exciting music in Wales today".

For the first time, the event has a live public audience as part of Llais, Cardiff's international arts festival, and include performances by some of the shortlisted performers.

The Welsh Music Prize will open Llais, which is in Cardiff from 26 to 30 October.