{{short description|Festival in Wrexham, Wales}} {{Use British English|date=August 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox recurring event | name = FOCUS Wales International Showcase Festival | logo = Focus Wales logo.svg | genre = Multi-genre showcase festival | frequency = annual | venue = multi-venue | location = Wrexham, Wrexham County Borough | country = Wales | years_active = 15 | founded = 2011 | founders = Andy Jones<br />Neal Thompson | prev = 7–9 May 2026 | next = 6–8 May 2027 | attendance = 15,000+ | events = Music performances, film screenings, conferences, and industry panels. | website = {{URL|focuswales.com/}} }}
'''Focus Wales''' (stylised as '''FOCUS Wales''') is an international multi-venue showcase music and arts festival held annually in Wrexham, Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Focus Wales 2023 at Wrexham {{!}} VisitWales |url=https://www.visitwales.com/event/musical-event/focus-wales-2022-wrexham-2163796 |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.visitwales.com}}</ref><ref name="FOCUS Wales 2022">{{Cite web |title=FOCUS Wales 2022 » ABOUT |url=https://www.focuswales.com/about/ |access-date=2022-08-26}}</ref> It is Wales' biggest music industry event and was first held in 2011. The event showcases emerging Welsh musical talent, as well as a selection of international emerging acts, film screenings, and conference events.
The most recent event was held from 7–9 May 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2026 |title=Focuswales.com |url=https://focuswales.com/venues/}}</ref>
== Description == The festival is held every year, with over 250 performances from various international acts. The event's organisers also attend and host conferences and showcases internationally, including far-away places such as Canada, South Korea and Taiwan to promote the event and its artists.<ref name="Focus Wales">{{Cite web |title=Focus Wales – Trac Cymru |url=https://trac.cymru/en/focus-wales/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |language=en-GB |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826012853/https://trac.cymru/en/focus-wales/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="BBC News-2023">{{Cite news |date=2023-03-03 |title=Focus Wales: Emerging Welsh talent among latest festival acts |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-64836912 |access-date=2023-05-02}}</ref>
The event is Wales' biggest music industry event, and alongside performances, the event would host industry advice sessions, panels and keynote talks, with around 400 music industry professionals expected to have attended the 2022 event.<ref name="Deeside.com">{{Cite web |title=75 new acts announced as part of huge FOCUS Wales 2022 line up |url=https://www.deeside.com/75-new-acts-announced-as-part-of-huge-focus-wales-2022-line-up/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Deeside.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="The National Wales">{{Cite web |title=Wales' biggest music industry event kicks off today |url=https://www.thenational.wales/news/20115853.focus-wales-wrexham-starts-today/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=The National Wales |language=en |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826012849/https://www.thenational.wales/news/20115853.focus-wales-wrexham-starts-today/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> HWB Cymraeg which provides Welsh language events at the festival was also present in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Gill |date=2022-05-04 |title=HWB Cymraeg's back again for FOCUS Wales! - news.wrexham.gov.uk |url=https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/hwb-cymraegs-back-again-for-focus-wales/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> thumb|The Centre for the Creative Industries is a venue for the event. thumb|Interior of St Giles' Church where some performances are held. In 2022, the venues for the event's 300 performances,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Town turns its focus on music from Wales and around the world |url=https://www.thenational.wales/business/19630910.focus-wales-wrexhams-international-celebration-new-music/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=The National Wales |language=en |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826012849/https://www.thenational.wales/business/19630910.focus-wales-wrexhams-international-celebration-new-music/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-10-08 |title=Focus Wales: Festival welcomes music industry to Wales |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-58821490 |access-date=2022-08-26}}</ref> were mainly concentrated in Wrexham city centre, including performances at Tŷ Pawb, St Giles' Church, Llwyn Isaf, the Centre for the Creative Industries at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, and the Hafod Theatre at Coleg Cambria's Yale Campus.<ref name="The National Wales" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=FOCUS Wales 2022 » VENUES |url=https://www.focuswales.com/venues/ |access-date=2022-08-26}}</ref><ref name="The Leader">{{Cite web |title=Thousands to descend on town as FOCUS Wales festival returns to Wrexham |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/20113829.wrexham-focus-wales-set-bigger-ever/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=The Leader |date=5 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=In Pictures: Day one of FOCUS Wales 2022 |url=https://www.thenational.wales/news/20120970.day-one-focus-wales-2022-pictures/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=The National Wales |language=en |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826012850/https://www.thenational.wales/news/20120970.day-one-focus-wales-2022-pictures/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Organisers of the event claimed in 2019 that it had contributed £500,000 to Wrexham's economy.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-05-18 |title=Focus Wales festival fears for small venues in Wales |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48300997 |access-date=2022-08-26}}</ref> The 2024 event also included various pubs, such as the Wynnstay Arms, Royal Oak, Magic Dragon Brewery Tap (in former Elephant and Castle) and Saith Seren, as well as restaurants and community centres.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-05-07 |title=All you need to know about FOCUS Wales 2024 ahead of Wrexham festival |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/24303333.focus-wales-2024-line-up-tickets-information/ |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=The Leader |language=en}}</ref>
Past performers at the event include: 9Bach, Snapped Ankles, Boy Azooga, Cate Le Bon, Tim Burgess, BC Camplight, Damo Suzuki (CAN), The Trials of Cato, Euros Childs, Charlotte Church, Gaz Coombes, Neck Deep, Stella Donnelly, The Lovely Eggs, Catrin Finch, The Joy Formidable, A Guy Called Gerald, Gwenno, Richard Hawley, This Is The Kit, Michael Rother (NEU! / Harmonia / Kraftwerk), Don Letts, The Membranes, Bo Ningen, The Magic Numbers, Kelly Lee Owens, Sea Power, Gruff Rhys, Kate Rusby, Georgia Ruth, Bill Ryder-Jones, Self Esteem, Stealing Sheep, Skindred, Bob Vylan, and Jane Weaver.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-02 |title=Focus Wales - Wrexham Events Guide |url=https://wrexhameventsguide.co.uk/wrexham-events-group-partners/focus-wales/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |language=en-GB |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826012850/https://wrexhameventsguide.co.uk/wrexham-events-group-partners/focus-wales/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="FOCUS Wales 2022" />
The 2023 and 2024 events were expected to welcome over 20,000<ref name=":0" /><ref name="BBC News-2023" /> people to Wrexham, with over 250 artists<ref>{{Cite web |title=FOCUS Wales 2023 » MUSIC |url=https://www.focuswales.com/music/ |access-date=2023-05-02}}</ref> at various venues throughout the city centre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Focus Wales 2023 at Wrexham {{!}} VisitWales |url=https://www.visitwales.com/en-us/event/musical-event/focus-wales-2022-wrexham-2163796 |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=www.visitwales.com}}</ref> Tŷ Pawb served as a main venue, and as the ticketing box office.<ref name="Focus Wales" /><ref name="www.traveline.cymru">{{Cite web |title=FOCUS Wales International Showcase Festival – Thursday 5th May to Saturday 7th 2022 |url=https://www.traveline.cymru/special-events/focus-wales/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.traveline.cymru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FOCUS Wales 2023 » TICKETS |url=https://www.focuswales.com/tickets/ |access-date=2023-05-02}}</ref> The event since 2019 has been held across 20 stages.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wrexham |first=This Is |date=2019-05-14 |title=FOCUS Wales 2019 rolls into town... |url=https://www.thisiswrexham.co.uk/post/focuswales2019 |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=thisiswrexham |language=en}}</ref> For the 2023 event, the Focus Wales Film Festival took place in Coleg Cambria's Theatr Iâl/Hafod Theatre on 5–6 May 2023, supported by Fflim Cymru and 73 Degree Films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Laura |title=Schedule Announced For Focus Wales 2023 - Stereoboard |url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/239183/9 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=Stereoboard.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FOCUS Wales Film Festival 2023 {{!}} Ffilm Cymru |url=https://ffilmcymruwales.com/index.php/our-work/focus-wales-film-festival-2023 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=ffilmcymruwales.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FOCUS Wales 2023 » FILM |url=https://www.focuswales.com/film/ |access-date=2023-05-02}}</ref>
== History == It was launched in 2011 to create a spotlight event for the Welsh music industry.<ref name="www.traveline.cymru" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Christopher |date=2023-04-05 |title=Focus Wales founder Neal Thompson on this year's signature event |url=https://accessaa.co.uk/focus-wales-founder-neal-thompson-on-this-years-signature-event/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=Access All Areas |language=en-GB}}</ref>
For events from 2017 to 2019, the Welsh Government supported the event with funding. The 2017 event attracted 7,000 visitors, and aside Welsh and British acts also had acts from places such as Canada, Catalonia (Spain), France, Norway, Poland and South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Focus on Welsh talent during FOCUS Wales 2017 |url=https://gov.wales/focus-welsh-talent-during-focus-wales-2017 |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=GOV.WALES |date=31 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
The 2020 event was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales.<ref name="The Leader" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Smiles all round as popular festival returns to celebrate decade of music |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/19634715.focus-wales-returns-wrexham-celebrating-10th-year/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=The Leader |date=8 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
In September 2021, the event was awarded Wrexham Civic recognition by Wrexham County Borough Council.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Focus Wales receives Wrexham civic recognition – "We are so proud to have it in Wrexham" |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/focus-wales-receives-wrexham-civic-recognition-we-are-so-proud-to-have-it-in-wrexham-209455.html |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}}</ref>
For the 2022 event, acts included Public Service Broadcasting, Echo & the Bunnymen, Gwenno, Self Esteem and around 250 other acts.<ref name="Deeside.com" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=50 new acts just announced for FOCUS Wales 2022 line up |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/50-new-acts-just-announced-for-focus-wales-2022-line-up-217302.html |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}}</ref> At the UK Festival Awards, the festival was awarded the "Best Music Festival for Emerging Talent".<ref name="The Leader-2">{{Cite web |title=Everything you need to know about the Focus Wales 2023 festival in Wrexham next week |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23479362.focus-wales-need-know-ahead-2023-festival/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=The Leader |date=26 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
In March 2022, Focus Wales organised a showcase event at the Swan Dive, in Austin, Texas, to promote six artists from Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Focus Wales share highlights from their showcase at SXSW 2022 {{!}} Arts Council of Wales |url=https://wai.org.uk/news-jobs-opportunities/focus-wales-share-highlights-their-showcase-sxsw-2022 |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=wai.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>
In May 2022, the festival backed Wrexham County Borough's UK City of Culture 2025 bid,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-06 |title=City of Culture 2025: Focus Wales festival backs Wrexham bid |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-61342395 |access-date=2022-08-26}}</ref> although it lost to Bradford.
In March 2023, the festival assisted in launching the Welsh Music Abroad initiative to promote Welsh music internationally.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FOCUS Wales, Trac Cymru, and Tŷ Cerdd announce initiative pushing Welsh music abroad |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23368183.focus-wales-trac-cymru-ty-cerdd-announce-welsh-music-abroad/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=The Leader |date=11 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Focus Wales teams up with Trac Cymru and Tŷ Cerdd on Welsh Music Abroad initiative {{!}} Complete Music Update |url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/focus-wales-teams-up-with-trac-cymru-and-ty-cerdd-on-welsh-music-abroad-initiative/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=completemusicupdate.com |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502123325/https://completemusicupdate.com/article/focus-wales-teams-up-with-trac-cymru-and-ty-cerdd-on-welsh-music-abroad-initiative/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In March 2026, Focus Wales organised a showcase event at the Swan Dive, in Austin, Texas, to promote five artists from Wales.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/dallas/regional/LANETARY-GROUP-PRESENTS--FOCUS-WALES--2026-SXSW-SHOWCASE-MIXER-4361111 |title=PLANETARY GROUP PRESENTS FOCUS WALES 2026 SXSW SHOWCASE & MIXER at Swan Dive{ |website=Broadway World |date=2026-03-15 |access-date=2026-05-06}}</ref>
For the 2026 event, acts include Idlewild, Fat Dog, Gwenno, Shame, Vona Vella and around 250 other acts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/live/focus-wales-2026-in-the-words-of-the-bands-playing-there/ |title=FOCUS WALES 2026: In The Words Of The Bands Playing There{|website=Clashmusic |date=2026-05-05 |access-date=2026-05-06}} </ref> == References == {{Reflist}}
{{Wrexham|state=collapsed}}
Category:Music festivals in Wales Category:Wrexham Category:2011 establishments in Wales Category:Festivals established in 2011