FOCUS Wales is an international showcase festival taking place in multiple venues across the city of Wrexham, North Wales. The festival places the music industry spotlight firmly on the emerging talent that Wales has to offer the world, alongside a selection of the best new acts from across the globe.
65 new artists announced, emerging talent alongside established names and exciting international acts. Hop from venue to venue and discover the best new bands from across the globe with your festival pass…
Janice Long showcase presented by BBC Radio Wales
FOCUS Wales are pleased to announce a very special showcase on the Saturday of the festival, with a live BBC Introducing Wales broadcast show in tribute to the late, great, BBC broadcaster, Janice Long. Set to take place on 11th May at Ty Pawb, Wrexham, and working together with the BBC, the festival team have co-curated a special lineup of artists that Janice loved. Cara Hammond, Laura J Martin, Pixy Jones, and Kidsmoke, are all set to perform on the night, which will be presented by Janice’s colleague and dear friend, Adam Walton
FOCUS Wales was established to provide the annual new music showcase event for the Welsh Music Industry. Our core work centres around the delivery of our international multi-venue showcase festival taking place in Wrexham each year, which places the music industry spotlight firmly on the emerging talent that Wales has to offer the world, alongside a selection of the best new acts from across the globe.
FOCUS Wales 2024 will mark the festival’s 14th year, and will welcome over 20,000 people to the town, building upon 2023′s record attendance across a jam-packed weekend of events. There’s no place like Wrexham during FOCUS Wales, as we showcase 250+ artists from across the world, fill out a variety of spaces and music venues, using 20 stages, and hosting a full schedule of interactive industry sessions, arts events, and film screenings, throughout the festival. In addition to the delivery of the FOCUS Wales festival, we also deliver a number of international FOCUS Wales events throughout the year under the #WelshMusicAbroad banner.
MUSIC CONFERENCE
Shaping the music industry of the future, in Wales. Join the conversation at the FOCUS Wales Conference 9th – 11th May 2024
FOCUS Wales hosts an interactive music conference over the duration of the festival, featuring panels, seminars and discussions from experts from across the globe. Offering in depth music industry insight, expertise and real-world experiences from all music industry sectors.
Previous FOCUS Wales performers include: Kelly Lee Owens | Echo & The Bunnymen | Self Esteem | SQUID | Billy Nomates | Public Service Broadcasting | Richard Hawley | Goat Girl | The Coral | Balimaya Project | This Is The Kit | Bob Vylan | Stealing Sheep | Tim Burgess | Gwenno | Gaz Coombes | Neck Deep | Pip Blom | Crawlers | Sea Power | Boy Azooga | BC Camplight | Bill Ryder-Jones | The Joy Formidable | Michael Rother (NEU! / Harmonia / Kraftwerk) | Stella Donnelly | Gruff Rhys | Dream Wife | Neue Grafik Ensemble | Snapped Ankles | Bo Ningen | Euros Childs | Kate Rusby | The Trials of Cato | Catrin Finch | Jane Weaver | Cate Le Bon | HENGE | The Magic Numbers | Damo Suzuki (CAN) | Charlotte Church | 9Bach | Skindred | Don Letts | The Membranes | A Guy Called Gerald + more!
‘With an astounding and diverse line-up, FOCUS Wales is further proof of Wrexham’s ascent as a city of culture. FOCUS Wales is the pride of Wrexham.’ The Line of Best Fit
‘An incredible international showcase… vast array of faultless, up-and-coming talent from Wales and beyond. There was clearly no better place to be than sunny Wrexham.’ CLASH
‘One of the most vital showcase events in the UK’ Under The Radar
‘It isn’t reality. Its a rock’n’roll fantasy. If only we always lived in FOCUS Wales.’ God Is In The TV
‘#1 Boutique Music Festival In The UK!’ SoundSynau
‘FOCUS Wales is a great festival’ BBC Radio 6 Music
‘One of the UK’s best festivals – showcase or otherwise’ Gigwise
‘FOCUS Wales is a truly special event’ BBC Radio Wales
‘Forward thinking welsh music industry showcase’ Metro
