There’s probably no bigger showcase for new music in North Wales than Focus Wales.
Over 8,000 people descend on Wrexham every year for a three-day festival of music, comedy and the arts. Over 200 bands and artists can be seen performing in up to a dozen venues around town – from the renowned Central Station to the unique setting of St Giles Church.
It’s an event that’s won industry-wide acclaim and international attention – the accent is firmly on emerging talent from Wales and beyond, sitting alongside established headliners and scores of international acts visiting Wrexham to be a part of Focus.
MônFM correspondent Gareth Joy has been covering this year’s event and talking to some of those performing – be it music or comedy – along with key conference delegates and visitors.
CERDDORAIETH / MUSIC
Ani Glass (dwyieithiog/bilingual)
Gareth Bonello: The Gentle Good
Osian Huw Williams: Candelas
Rachel K Collier
Connah Evans
Katie Hall (Chroma)
Ben Parker (Lost Like Alice) – ft. Ryan Hughes
Ed Holden (Mr. Phormula / Bardd) – ft. Ryan Hughes
Hillsburn
Heledd Watkins (HMS Morris)
COMEDI / COMEDY
Tudur Owen (Cymraeg)
Lorna Corner (aka Lorna Prichard)
CYNRYCHIOLWYR Y CYNHADLEDD / CONFERENCE DELEGATES
Joe Frankland (PRS)
Gruff Owen (Libertino Records – dwyieithog/bilingual)
Eluned Haf (Welsh Arts International – Cymraeg)
John Robb (Louder Than War)
YMWELWYR Y GWYL / FESTIVAL VISITORS
Bethan Elfyn (BBC Radio Wales / Horizons-Gorwelion)
Hari McDermott (Reckless Promotions)
Roland Deschambault (Breakout West)
O’R WYL / FROM THE FESTIVAL
Neal Thompson (Focus Wales co-founder)