The Wales Folk Awards is a biennial event, celebrating and promoting the music of Wales at its highest level. Launched in 2019, the Wales Folk Awards are a partnership between Trac Cymru, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, the Arts Council of Wales and significant individuals from the world of Welsh folk music. After such a difficult time for live music during the pandemic, the Awards returned in April 2023 to shine a spotlight on Wales’ musical achievements.

The public are invited to send in their nominations for ten categories ranging from Best Group to Best Emerging Act, plus 2 new categories for life-long and future tradition bearers. A Long List Panel of festivals, venues, media and folk organisers are then invited to select from these public nominations to create the shortlists, which go forward to 6 independent judges representing the world of folk music, to decide the winners in each category.

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The awards have previously been presented at the BBC Hoddinott Hall at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, with a reception generously sponsored by the British Council Wales. This celebratory evening includes live performances from some of the winners, with BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru both broadcasting programmes recorded on the night.

Two Carmarthen craftsmen make the trophies – blacksmith Aaron Petersen and woodturner Rob Hopkins. Based on18th century rushlight holders, each one is unique, and uses locally sourced wood. The trophies have quite a folk family connection – Aaron’s father is blacksmith David Petersen who led the Welsh Delegation at Lorient Interceltic Festival for many years, and his nephew Sam is a member of AVANC, Trac Cymru’s previous Youth Folk Ensemble of Wales.

Winners & Nominees

  • Alaw, Jamie Smith’s Mabon, Vrï, CALAN - 2019 WINNER

    AVANC, CALAN, Rusty Shackle, Vrï, Bwncath - 2023 WINNER

  • NoGood Boyo, Tant, Vrï, Trials of Cato - 2019 WINNER

    AVANC, Cynefin, Mari Mathias, Pedair, Cerys Hafana - 2023 WINNER

  • Bendigeidfran (Lleuwen) – 2019 WINNER
    Cân y Cŵn (Gwyneth Glyn)
    Swn ar Gardyn Post (Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion)
    Y Gwyfyn (The Gentle Good)

    Yma O Hyd (Dafydd Iwan, Ar Log A’r Wal Goch) – 2023 WINNER
    Fel Hyn Da Ni Fod (Bwncath)
    Tragwyddoldeb (Cerys Hafana)
    Cân Y Clo (Pedair)
    Aberdaron (The Trials of Cato)

  • Dawns Soïg/Dawns y Gŵr Mar (Alaw) – 2019 WINNER
    Cyw Bach (Vrï)
    Diddanwch Gruffydd ap Cynant (Delyth & Angharad)
    Mayfair at Rhayader 1927 (Toby Hay)

    Yr Ehedydd (Vrï) – 2023 WINNER
    Gorymdaith Y Gwyfod (Alaw)
    Pat The Lucky Dog (Calan)
    Teifi (Gwen Mairi)
    Glan Meddwdod Mwyn (Vrï)

  • Gwilym Bowen Rhys – 2019 WINNER
    Cynefin
    Gwyneth Glyn
    The Gentle Good

    Dafydd Iwan – 2023 WINNER
    Cerys Hafana
    Cynefin
    Gwilym Bowern Rhys
    Martyn Joseph

  • Tŷ ein Tadau (Vrï) – 2019 WINNER
    Dal i ‘Redig Dipyn Bach (Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion)
    Llinyn Arian (Delyth & Angharad)
    Solomon (CALAN)

    Islais a Genir (Vrï) – 2023 WINNER
    Kistvaen (CALAN)
    Dilyn Afon (Cynefin)
    Under A Bloodshot Moon (Rusty Shackle)
    Gog Magog (The Trials Of Cato)

  • Ffoles Llantrisant (Vrï) – 2019 WINNER
    Lliw Gwyn (Pendevig)
    Santiana (Alaw gyda Gwilym Bowen Rhys)
    Y Mab Penfelyn (Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion)

    Tŷ Bach Twt / Milgi Milgi (Mari Mathias) – 2023 WINNER
    Hiraeth (Alaw)
    Bwthyn fy Nain / Tŷ Bach Twt (Cerys Hafana)
    Mae’r Ddaear yn Glasu (The Gentle Good)
    Aberhonddu (Vrï)

  • Here Come The Young (Martyn Joseph) – 2019 WINNER
    Fall and Drop (Tagaradr)
    Far Ago (Gwyneth Glyn)
    These Are The Things (The Trials of Cato)

    Fill The House (Alaw) – 2023 WINNER
    Hiraeth (Alaw)
    The Farmhouse (Al Lewis)
    In Bloom (Georgia Ruth)
    Slag Heap (Lo-Fi Jones)
    Newport Rising (Rusty Shackle)

  • Pendevig– 2019 WINNER
    CALAN
    Jamie Smith’s Mabon
    Yr Hwntws

    CALAN – 2023 WINNER
    AVANC
    Pendevig
    The Trials of Cato
    Vrï

  • Rusty Shackle - 2023 WINNER

  • Roy Saer - 2019

    Phyllis Kinney - 2023

  • Open prize to the public for composing a new melody – an original 48 bar jig in the Welsh folk style.

    Keith Floyd – 2023 WINNER