FAW/Horizons music partnership reaches more than half a million views

Caru cerddoriaeth? Caru Cymru? In 2018 the FAW and BBC Horizons agreed to help promote music from upcoming Welsh artists by using their tracks on match highlights videos. We’re pleased to announce the videos have been viewed more than half a million times across the world.

Since the launch of the collaboration in February 2018, 14 different videos have been released using 13 different artists from across Wales, ranging in genres from pop to rock to third wave ska in both Welsh and English languages.

Several tracks that have been used as part of the collaboration have also become hugely popular across Wales and the globe. Adwaith’s ‘Fel i Fod’ was listened to more than 100,000 times as part of the highlights reel for the women’s team’s matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Russia.

Alffa’s ‘Gwenwyn’, used in the highlight’s video for the men’s team’s 4-1 against the Republic of Ireland, recently became the first Welsh language song to have more than one million listens on Spotify. Meanwhile, the Himalayas’ ‘Thank God I’m Not You’ was viewed more than 100,000 times as part of the launch for the 2018/2019 JD Welsh Premier League season.

2018 has been a huge year for Welsh music and it was great to see it reach a new audience with the FAW. There’s a new wave of Welsh music coming through at the moment through the likes of Adwaith, Alffa and HMS Morris who have all been part of the collaboration. I can’t wait to see what 2019 will bring.

As part of the collaboration, a Spotify playlist has been created to allow fans listen to tracks that have been used which can be subscribed to here.

Horizons/Gorwelion is a scheme by the BBC and Arts Council Wales which helps develop new, independent contemporary music in Wales.

Since its inception in 2014, Horizons has supported over 135 artists, from over 50 towns, across 20 counties in Wales. From the diverse mix of music, Horizons enables artists to utilise studio time, photography and artwork, promotion of releases, equipment, video production and touring costs.

We’re delighted with how the collaboration has worked so far. We realised the importance both music and football have with Welsh culture and it’s great to see us working together to reach a worldwide audience.