Horizons Gorwelion


Horizons 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.
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.

Editions

2014

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.
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:
In 2015, the scheme began the year with involvement in the inaugural X Music Festival which took place between the 12th and 13th June in Bute Park, Cardiff.
The 2015 edition of Horizons was held at the Chapter Arts Centre in Canton, Cardiff, and at the Swn Festival at the various venues 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.
Among the artists named were:
2016 saw events showcasing bands from across Wales, with events hosted at Moon Club on Womanby Street, as well as at the DimSwn event. The scheme also participated in Festival N°6, on the Lost in the Woods Stage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The year's selection made a notable decision to select a number of female musicians and including artists from indie, reggae, rock, folk and blues genres.
The scheme invited Adwaith, Alffa, Aleighcia Scott, Campfire Social, Marged, Nia Wyn, and I See Rivers to all perform and record at Rockfield Studios., as well as hosting a performance at Tramshed, Cardiff with Himalayas.
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."
The artwork for the event was commissioned to Welsh artist Cadi Lane, and installed along Womanby Street.