Horizons (Welsh: Gorwelion) is an arts scheme and music festival launched jointly in 2014 by BBC Cymru Wales and the Arts Council of Wales to develop new independent contemporary music artists. It is curated by BBC presenter Bethan Elfyn.
| Horizons / Gorwelion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Various |
| Dates | Year-round |
| Location(s) | Across Wales |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Website | www.bbc.co.uk/horizons |
The scheme hosts a yearly showcase, but also displays its artists through slots at major domestic and international festivals, as well as securing studio access at the likes of Rockfield and Maida Vale.[1]
Editions edit
2014 edit
In February 2014, the scheme launched and first took part of the National Eisteddfod in Llanelli, promoting artists including musician Chris Jones on the Llwyfan Perfformio.[2]
In May 2014, Horizons was named as 'Horizons 12' and announced the first twelve artists for the inceptive event. Over 300 applicants were reviewed by the scheme, and among the final artists were:[3]
- Candelas - an indie rock group from Llanuwchllyn, in Gwynedd
- Casi Wyn - a singer songwriter from Bangor, based in London
- Chris Jones - a Welsh and Celtic folk singer from Cwm-y-glo, near Caernarfon
- Kizzy Crawford - a Welsh language singer songwriter of Bajan heritage from Merthyr Tydfil
- Plu - an alternative folk sibling trio from Snowdonia
- Sŵnami - an indie rock group from Dolgellau
- Baby Queens
- Climbing Trees
- Gabrielle Murphy
- Houdini Dax
- Seazoo
- The People The Poet
2015 edit
In 2015, the scheme began the year with involvement in the inaugural X Music Festival which took place in June in Bute Park, Cardiff.[4]
The 2015 edition of Horizons was held at the Chapter Arts Centre in Canton, Cardiff, and at the Swn Festival at the various venues (including Clwb Ifor Bach) on Womanby Street in the city.
2015 featured group Cut Ribbons would go on to be highlighted by the Fred Perry 'Subculture' campaign for their track We Want to Watch Something We Loved Burn.[5]
Among the artists named were:[6]
- A six-member band led by Aled Rheon, brother of Iwan Rheon
- Dan Bettridge
- Hannah Grace - a Welsh singer songwriter from Bridgend
- Peasant's King
- Mellt
- Violet Skies, a singer songwriter from Chepstow, Monmouthshire
- Yr Eira
- HMS Morris
- Y Reu
- Delyth McLean
- Cold Committee
- Cut Ribbons
2016 edit
2016 saw events showcasing bands from across Wales, with events hosted at Moon Club on Womanby Street, as well as at the DimSwn event.[7] The scheme also participated in Festival N°6, on the Lost in the Woods Stage.[8]
Artists Danielle Lewis and David Ian Roberts were also covered on Folk Radio for their releases that year, which were recorded as a result of BBC and Arts Council funding.[9] [10]
- Afro Cluster - a Cardiff-based collective of musicians from all over South Wales
- ANELOG
- CASEY
- CaStLeS - a psychedelic pop trio from Llanrug
- Connah Evans
- Danielle Lewis - a singer-songwriter from New Quay
- Fleur De Lys
- Reuel Elijah - a hip-hop/R&B singer from Cardiff
- Roughion
- Tibet
- We're No Heroes
- Ysgol Sul - a three piece from Llandeilo
2018 edit
The 2018 festival saw a showcase at the Portmeirion Festival N°6 event, including NoGood Boyo, Alffa, Campfire Social, and a headline slot for I See Rivers.[11]
The scheme also exhibited at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, from The Last Music Bar. It saw performances from Boy Azooga, CHROMA, Mrphy, The Gentle Good, Nia Wyn, Rachel K Collier, Trampolene, The Himalayas, and Dream State.[12]
The year also saw engagements with Welsh Language Music Day at Gower College in Swansea, and in the audience were a range of attendees including Newport rap group Goldie Lookin' Chain.[13]
The year's selection made a notable decision to select a number of female musicians (consisting of 10 of the 12 person line up) and including artists from indie, reggae, rock, folk and blues genres.[14]
The scheme invited Adwaith, Alffa, Aleighcia Scott, Campfire Social, Marged, Nia Wyn, and I See Rivers to all perform and record at Rockfield Studios (of Queen and Oasis fame).,[1] as well as hosting a performance at Tramshed, Cardiff with Himalayas.
- Adwaith
- Aleighcia Scott
- Alffa
- Campfire Social
- CHROMA
- Eädyth
- Himalayas
- I See Rivers
- Marged
- Nia Wyn
- Nogood Boyo
- The Pitchforks
2019 edit
The lineup for the 2019 edition was announced in June, described as including "a dreamy indie-pop band whose music has appeared on Black Mirror and Made in Chelsea, an electro teenage pop artist, a live rock, rap and reggae group, a jazz singer, a dance producer and one of the fastest banjo players in Wales."[14]
The artwork for the event was commissioned to Welsh artist Cadi Lane, and installed along Womanby Street.[14]
- Codewalkers
- Darren Eedens & The Slim Pickin's
- Endaf
- Esther
- Eve Goodman
- Gwilym
- Hana2k
- Jack Perrett
- Kidsmoke
- Rosehip Teahouse
- Sera
- Y Cledrau
2022 edit
The lineup for the 2022 edition was announced in February and received its largerst ever funding since its launch.[15]
- Alice Low
- Anwar Sizbar
- Aisha Kigs
- Alekxsandr
- Asha Jane
- Bandicoot
- The Bug Club
- Chasing Shadows
- Celavi
- Clwb Fuzz
- Cerys Hafana
- CI Gofod
- Cupsofte
- Gwenno Morgan
- Hana Lili
- Hemes
- Teddy Hunter
- James and the Cold Gun
- K(E)NZ
- Kinnigan
- Kim Hon
- Harry Jowett
- LEMFRECK
- Lloydy Lew
- Luke RV
- Mace The Great
- Malan
- Mali Haf
- Mantaraybryn
- Mirari More
- Niques
- Panta Ray
- Rebecca Hurn
- Roman Yasin
- Skylark
- Soren Araujo
- Sybs
- Su Sang Song
- Szwe
- Tara Bandito
- Tapestri
- Thallo
- Winger Records
- Wobbli Boi
- Want
- Voya
- Yazmean
- XL Life
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "BBC Radio - Horizons - Rockfield Sessions". BBC. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Maes b". Juxtapozed. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Horizons//Gorwelion 12". Juxtapozed. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Festival Review: X Music Festival 2015 (including Gorgon City, Sub Focus, + more) – Alicia Atout". Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Sound Of Cardiff 20 Welsh Bands That You Need To Hear Now!". www.fredperry.com. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "BBC Radio - Horizons, Horizons/ Gorwelion - Sŵn Festival 2015 - Aled Rheon @ Sŵn Festival 2015". BBC. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ deanhodge (4 April 2016). "Horizons/Gorwelion 2016: Dean Hodge Interviews Anelog – 'We're basically a big, dysfunctional family rather than a band'". Dean Hodge. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Lost in the Woods". Festival Number 6. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ folkradiouk (8 November 2016). "First Listen to Danielle Lewis' new EP 'Fly' | Folk Radio UK". Folk Radio UK - Folk Music Magazine. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ folkradiouk (6 May 2016). "Video Premiere: David Ian Roberts - Grail | Folk Radio UK". Folk Radio UK - Folk Music Magazine. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "BBC Radio - Horizons - Festival Number 6 2018". BBC. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "BBC Radio - Horizons - Gorwelion / Horizons ... The Great Escape 2018". BBC. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "BBC Radio - Horizons - Welsh Music Day". BBC. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ a b c "BBC Radio - Horizons - New Horizons 12". BBC. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Rees, Elin. "HORIZONS ANNOUNCE 49 NEW WELSH ARTISTS TO WATCH IN 2022 | Arts Council of Wales". arts.wales. Retrieved 27 December 2022.