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, , 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, , 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.
