Ceremony live lineup and award winners revealed

Some of Wales’ most exciting new and established artists have been announced as part of the live lineup for this year’s Welsh Music Prize, taking place on 6 October 2025 at the Wales Millennium Centre. 

Melodic psych rockers Melin Melyn; 2015 winner Gwenno; rap artist Sage Todz; and punk pop quartet Panic Shack are among the shortlisted artists performing at the ceremony, where the winner of the £10,000 prize for an album made in Wales or by Welsh people around the world this year will be announced by BBC Radio 1 presenter Sian Eleri. The event is open to the public and tickets are available here for £10.

A Welsh Music Prize television special will be broadcast on BBC One Wales and on the BBC iPlayer following the ceremony and will be broadcast live in its entirety on BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Wales.

The Welsh Music Prize ceremony will also see the Triskel Award presented to emerging artists Nancy Williams, Morn and SOURCE. The Triskel Award is presented annually to three artists with the support of the charity Help Musicians, with the aim of providing vital resources and guidance to artists to develop and progress their musical careers.

Morn, from Monmouth, are a band whose raw intensity and emotionally charged performances have garnered attention in the UK music scene. Nancy Williams is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Merthyr Tydfil whose poetic, Celtic-tinged style marks her as one of Wales’ most exciting new voices. SOURCE are a Cardiff-based collective blending soulful melodies with neo-soul and R&B harmonies, exploring spirituality, freedom and vulnerability with rich vocal intention.

Hot-on-the-heels of touring Canada and Europe and playing a packed-out set at Green Man Festival, bluegrass band Taff Rapids will also perform on the night, having been chosen to receive this year’s PPL Momentum Sbardun | Accelerator Fund award. The fund is run by the PRS Foundation in partnership with PPL and Creative Wales and offers grants for recording, touring and marketing to artists breaking through to the next level of their careers.

PPL’s Chief Membership & People Officer, Kate Reilly said: “We are thrilled to support the Welsh Music Prize, now in its 15th year. The shortlist once again highlights some of the very the best music created by Welsh musicians  in the past 12 month, and we look forward to celebrating all the nominees at the ceremony next month.”

Speaking about the strength of this year’s live bill, Welsh Music Prize co-founder Huw Stephens said: “The Welsh Music Prize is all about celebrating the quality, artistry and diversity of music from Wales. The live lineup promises to be a true example of this, with some established and newer folk, indie and rap artists playing their music.”

The Welsh Music Prize has also received support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales. Jack Sargeant, Culture Minister, added: “The Welsh Music Prize just keeps getting bigger and better, with a fantastic lineup of artists set to perform this year. The Prize is also a vital springboard for emerging artists to reach new career heights and the added coverage provided by BBC Cymru Wales means their music will reach even bigger audiences. Llongyfarchiadau!” 

Speaking on behalf of Cardiff Music City Festival, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke said: “The Welsh Music Prize is a fantastic platform for artists to reach new audiences, as well as offering the music community an opportunity to celebrate the real depth of musical talent there is in Wales, particularly right here in Cardiff.

“Our continuing support of the prize, as part of the Cardiff Music City Festival, aims to help that talent thrive, build on the work being done through our music strategy and ensure music remains the beating heart of the city.”

John Hendrickse, Grants & Programmes Manager at PRS Foundation said: “We’re delighted to be part of the 15th year of the Welsh Music Prize and supporting a PPL Momentum Sbardun grantee to perform at this year’s awards. Wales has a fantastic history of producing incredible era-defining music creators and PRS Foundation is proud to have a strong track record of numerous supported artists going on to be nominated for the Welsh Music Prize. Last year’s winning album ‘Blood, Sweat & Fears’ by L E M F R E C K was recorded and released with the support of PPL Momentum Sbardun & our POWER UP initiative. Over the last four years, and with the support of Creative Wales and Arts Council of Wales, PPL Momentum Music and PPL Momentum Sbardun funding for Welsh music creators and industry professionals has enabled the creation of new music and campaigns that are receiving critical acclaim and reach while also empowering the exciting music scene in Wales.”

John Hywel Morris, Senior Relationship Manager – Wales, PRS for Music, said: “The Welsh Music Prize is important in providing a platform for unique voices across the industry in Wales. We are proud to support these awards once again which highlight our community of composers and songwriters at their creative best.”

Welsh Music Prize Performance Line-up

Panic Shack

Melin Melyn

Gwenno

Sage Todz

Taff Rapids

Morn

Nancy Williams

SOURCE

Tickets are available here at £10 adult/£8 under 30s.

Welsh Music Prize 2025 Shortlist:

·       Adwaith – Solas LISTEN

·       Breichiau Hir – Y Dwylo Uwchben LISTEN

·       Buddug – Rhwng Gwyll a Gwawr LISTEN

·       Cerys Hafana – Difrisg LISTEN

·       Don Leisure – Tyrchu Sain LISTEN

·       Gentle Good – Elan LISTEN

·       Gwenno – Utopia LISTEN

·       Kelly Lee Owens – Dreamstate LISTEN

·       KEYS – Acid Communism LISTEN

·       Melin Melyn – Mill on the Hill LISTEN

·       Panic Shack – Panic Shack LISTEN

·       Sage Todz – Stopia Cwyno LISTEN

·       Siula – Night Falls On The World LISTEN

·       Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn – Eiin Albwm Cyntaf Ni LISTEN

·       The Tubs – Cotton Crown LISTEN