New digital platform puts Welsh language music on the map
Llwyfan digidol newydd yn rhoi miwsig Gymraeg ar y map
Music lovers can now find every Welsh language gig happening across Wales in one place, thanks to an innovative new online platform: Awni.
Just in time to celebrate 10 years of Dydd Miwsig Cymru (Welsh Language Music Day), Awni brings together all Welsh language music events on an easy-to-use website with an interactive map. Whether you're looking for intimate gigs or big festivals, you can find them all at the click of a button.
Created by brother and sister team Jona and Martha Owen, Awni (which means "we will go" in Welsh) helps ensure music fans never miss out on great events happening near them.
Martha said: "As Welsh language music fans, we found ourselves saying ‘I didn’t know about that gig!’ way too often. With hundreds of gigs taking place every year, 'Awni?' aims to ensure no gig falls under the radar.
“By submitting gigs to our map, organisers, venues and artists can boost ticket sales and reach new audiences. We hope our website acts as a helping hand - supporting the exciting Welsh music scene and strengthening the presence of the Welsh language in Wales and beyond through live music."
The Awni project has received funding through Sain as part of their ARFOR Challenge Fund, which is a Welsh Government funded programme providing strategic initiatives to strengthen the economy within Welsh-speaking communities. As part of this fund, record label Sain, have also digitised their entire back catalogue of over 20,000 songs - alongside one of the projects partners National Library Wales, and intend to bring decades of Welsh musical heritage to new audiences.
Sain is celebrating Dydd Miwsig Cymru by releasing its entire 1970s collection from this archive on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Widely regarded as the label’s ‘golden period’, including iconic albums by artists such as Meic Stevens, Brân and Delwyn Siôn. This will be the first time many of these songs have been made available digitally.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, said: “Dydd Miwsig Cymru is a fantastic celebration of language and music, and it will be even easier for people to get involved this year thanks to Awni. These events are a great way for everyone to experience and enjoy miwsig Cymraeg, whatever your language ability.”
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “The ARFOR Challenge Fund helps to find innovative solutions to strengthen the relationship between the economy and the Welsh language – Awni does just that by bringing people together to enjoy our vibrant Welsh-language music scene.”
Awni lets you:
- See all upcoming gigs on an interactive map
- Search for events by date
- Get details about venues and tickets
- Discover new Welsh language artists and events in your area
To find your next Welsh language gig, visit https://awni.cymru/
Notes to editors
ARFOR
The ARFOR Programme has been operating since 2019/20 – initially as a 2 year pilot scheme with a budget of £2m (£1m in each year), followed by a 3 year commitment for funding of £11m over a three year period.
The ARFOR Programme has been operational in the 4 local authority areas of Ynys Mon, Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire and is delivered via a grant to Gwynedd Council, as the lead authority. The programme funds a small number of strategic projects which support economic interventions aimed at supporting the Welsh language and the sustainability of Welsh speaking communities.
Interviews
Martha and Jona Owen (Awni) are available for interviews. Please contact alys.jones045@gov.wales