As the country embarked on the first lockdown in March, uncertainty ruled. The creative industries closed down overnight and freelancers became inundated with notices cancelling work for the foreseeable future. In an attempt to use our platform to help those most in need, Wales Arts Review pulled a few all-nighters to organise Digithon, an online festival aiming to raise money for our Wales Artist and Freelancers Coronavirus Fund. Here we take a look back at Digithon; at the music, performance, literature and other artistic forms that made up a successful and dynamic weekend of digital content.
The aim of the festival was to raise money for a set of bursaries to be paid out to artists and freelancers who had been dramatically affected by the cancellation of work and closure of venues in the efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus. The arts industry in Wales has always been underpinned by an army of freelance and self-employed skilled professionals, many of which were (and of course, still are) facing months with no source of income during the initial lockdown in March. By organising and presenting a range of digital content from some of Wales’ top artists and visionaries, Wales Arts Review hoped to provide the industry a lifeline and alleviate some of the stress caused by the uncertainty of the pandemic.
Digithon raised £6450 for the Wales Artist and Freelancers Coronavirus Fund every penny of which went to fund bursaries handed out to freelancers.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the great work produced through Digithon 2020…
Digithon Art
Digithon Music
The Soundscapes of Mark Albrow
Digithon Lit
Max Boyce: The Incredible Plan
Gary Raymond: The Golden Orphans
David Llewellyn: A Simple Scale
Sarah Waters: The Paying Guests
Ifor Ap Glyn: Cyfandir O Gofio
Christina Thatcher: How to Carry Fire
Darren Chetty: Max Boyce’s Live at Treorchy Album
Digithon for Kids
Eloise Williams: Children’s Laureate of Wales
Literature Wales: Merythyr and the Biscuit Factory
Richard Owain Roberts: Hello Friend We Missed You
Owen Sheers: To Provide All People
Digithon Gigs
Cwmwl Tystion @ Taliesin Arts Centre
Songs From the Eye of the Storm
Digithon Cinema
Casey Raymond:What Will Future Humans Look Like
Nosa Eke: Something in the Closet
Tim Hawkins: That Makes Two of Us
Laura Kirwan-Ashman: Pxssy Palace
Ilenia Cotardo: Lemon and Elderflower
Digithon Drama
Digithon Dance
National Dance Company Wales: Dancing Together Whilst Apart
National Dance Company Wales: Parade + Tundra
