What to Know about FOCUS Wales
Held annually in Wrexham, North Wales, FOCUS Wales is a multi-venue showcase festival of the very best emerging Welsh music talent alongside a selection of international acts.
FOCUS Wales is a showcase festival like no other. With over 250 artists playing over 20 stages in multiple venues, as well as a conference that hosts experts from all sectors of the industry, art events, and film screenings, talks, and awards, there’s something at FOCUS Wales for everyone.
What is FOCUS Wales?
Ever heard of an international multi-venue musical showcase in North Wales? Wrexham-based FOCUS Wales festival spotlights the very best emerging and established Welsh musical talent alongside a selection of globally renowned artists.
FOCUS Wales boasts a series of excellent reviews and awards, including ‘Best Festival for Emerging Talent’ from the UK Festival Awards. Previous performers include Self Esteem, Kelly Lee Owns, Echo & The Bunnyman, and Public Service Broadcasting.
Although the festival’s core work is staging this annual showcase festival in Wrexham, FOCUS Wales also delivers a number of international events throughout the year.
If you’re Wrexham-based, you can also enjoy the Out of FOCUS: Music Hub, which presents artist showcases and hosts industry meet-ups across the city over the winter months.
FOCUS Wales is made possible with the support of a diverse range of partners, including the Welsh Government, the Arts Council of Wales, and the National Lottery.
Festival specifics
You can keep up to date with festival highlights by joining the mailing list via the website, or following any of the social accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Alternatively, download the festival app in order to enjoy on-the-ground updates during the festival itself.
There are a range of different ticket options, including day passes which grant access to all FOCUS Wales events on the specified day, as well as a standard festival pass which grants access to all events across the festival schedule.
Guests with access needs can contact sarah@focuswales.com or download the festival’s accessibility policy from the website.
What to expect from FOCUS Wales 2023
Held from the 4th to 6th May, 2023 marks the 12th edition of the festival, and is set to welcome over 20,000 people to Wrexham to enjoy performances from over 250 artists on 20 stages. That’s not to mention interactive industry sessions, film screenings, and other art events taking place across the weekend.
Expect musical performances from the likes of Billy Nomates, Squid, and The Coral in 2023, alongside acts from countries including Taiwan, Madagascar, and Ukraine.
Promised speakers include experts from different industry sectors, including festival coordinators, agencies, and music journalists.
The FOCUS Wales Film Festival will also return for 2023, playing a selection of the best short films from Wales alongside a variety of international films, as well as industry events and networking opportunities.
