WALES' LEADING music showcasing organisation FOCUS Wales has kicked off another strong year in Welsh music, with so much still to look forward to.
2024 started with three Welsh artists appearing at the FOCUS Wales showcase at Eurosonic, Netherlands.
This is the highest number of Welsh artists in recent years to have performed at what is the biggest and most prestigious showcase event in Europe.
In just the first quarter of 2024, FOCUS Wales also delivered a brand new (sold out) festival, Trawsnewid:Transform, in collaboration with Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
That featured audio visual performances from Gwenno, Gruff Rhys, Eadyth, Sage Todz and many more.
And there was also the sold out London show starring Adwaith and Melin Melyn for St David’s Day.
FOCUS Wales was originally established to provide the annual new music showcase event for the Welsh Music Industry, but following their regular programme of year-round activity, including international export, the organisation has recently been added to the Arts Council of Wales’ portfolio.
The team are now looking ahead to the yearly milestone in the international music industry calendar, SXSW 2024 next week, where an unprecedented seven Welsh artists are confirmed to perform at the official Wales @ SXSW showcase in Austin, Texas, USA.
Gruff Rhys, Islet, HMS Morris, Lemfreck, Aleighcia Scott, Minas, and Otto Aday will all be performing at that one.
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Later this spring, there will be another huge event as FOCUS Wales festival will take place from May 9 to 11 in Wrexham.
250+ artists are scheduled to perform including Spiritualized, The Mysterines, The Royston Club, Deerhoof, Snapped Ankles, Flamingods, Adwaith, Antony Szmierek, and many more.
FOCUS Wales festival showcases the largest number of Welsh artists at any festival, and the largest number of Welsh language artists too.
One of the big attractions for the Wrexham event will be local favourites The Royston Club, who released their first album last year.
The festival features artists from copious countries and regions, including; Australia, the Balearics, Basque Country, Canada, Catalonia, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the USA.
A spokesperson for FOCUS Wales said: “Over the past twelve months, we’ve taken Welsh music around the world and there is so much demand for it. With the level of attention that is also on Wrexham right now, it’s fitting to end a brilliant first half of the year with what will be the biggest celebration of Welsh music to date, at FOCUS Wales festival in the city this May”.
The FOCUS is well and truly on Wales in 2024 and there is so much more still to come.
FOCUS Wales takes place over May 9, 10 and 11 in Wrexham City Centre and tickets are on sale now at Focus Wales' website.
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