By Roman Parry
Focus Wales, a three-day festival hosted in Wrexham that celebrates culture, art, and a way of life. A festival fully intent on showing the Welsh music industry what new, exciting music is out there and showcasing a great love for something the country is passionate about. Focus Wales 2025 marks the festival’s 15th anniversary and is set to break the previous year’s attendance record by hosting over 22,000 people. They’ll also be showcasing more than 250 artists on 20 different stages. Alongside the Focus Wales festival, they will also be hosting multiple international Focus Wales events throughout the year under the banner “#WelshMusicAbroad.”
The festival has grown year after year and this one is no different. Not only has the number of people in the audience increased but the number of artists has as well. 2024 had many artists ready to belt their hearts out, and 2025 has even more so… almost double in size. There’s reappearing faces such as Adjua, Laura J Martin, and Vanity Fairy as well as brand new ones such as Igloo Hearts, Public Order, and Yellow Belly.
In addition to a larger line up, there’s more variety when it comes to where the artists originate, with artists from places like Australia, Catalonia, Ghana, New Zealand, and Somaliland.
If you happen to be in Wrexham the day before the official start date, you’ll be in for a treat. Head over to The Parish for a sneak peek as to what’s to come. Four artists, four amazing performances. All from from Wales. Early into the event there will be solo artists Talulah and Denuo, with incredible bands Half Happy and Red Telephone closing night in terms of official artists. If you’re into the DJ scene then stick around for a few guest DJs to play the night out.
Day one sets all expectations for the remainder of the festival and after looking at the schedule, it’s safe to say that expectations are high. Since the festival takes place in several locations, you have to be a bit picky as to who you want to see. For those who are into the bands DEADLETTER and Crows, go and check out SPRINTS in Llwyn Isaf at 8:45 or watch Meltheads instead at The Rocking Chair in room one at 8:15. You could also see Nap Eyes in Penny Black room two. We’d also recommend going to Ty Pawb where you can see Korrupted in their Performance Space at 8:45 or, for fans of KO KO MO and Tip Stevens, Last Train in their Flexible Space at 8:15. Mosey on your way to the Old No. 7 Bar and listen to CHEMBOMUSIC at 5:30. Finally, if you’re a fan of music by Djo you may be into a few songs by Campfire Social who will be performing at nghtclb at 9:45.
The second and third days – Friday May 9 and Saturday May 10 – have more going for them compared to the first. For the second day, for those who are going, here’s a few ideas of who to see. Llwyn Isaf will be host bands Sustinere at 5:15 and Panic Shack at 7:45, and St Giles’ Church will have Mari Mathias at 8:10. The Rocking Chair will have Melys playing in room one at 8:15 and Roscoe, YNYS, and Kidsmoke in room 2 at 6:45, 10:45, and 12am. Head over to Penny Black for The Flying Monkeys at 11:35. For fans of Rachel Angel, Ellen Froese is at Ty Pawb at 7:15. The Parish will be hosting Hypnosis Therapy, The Family Men, and Cocaine Yoga at 7:25, 12am, and 12:55. Finally, you could go and see Toria Wooff in the Old No. 7 Bar at 9:30, Sister Envy at the Wynnstay Hotel at 10:45, and Mirage at nghtclb at 4pm.
Overall, the final day seems the most jam packed with entertainment and here’s our topic picks for each location. Go and watch the Delta Ladies Choir and Gruff Rhys in Llwyn Isaf at 3:50 and 8:45, eat-girls and Baby Brave at The Rocking Chair in room two at 7pm and 11:15. Ther’s also Dead Air, Baby Schillaci, and Tape Toy in Penny Black room one at 7:45, 8:40, 10:30 and SUN in room two at 12am. There will also be Eadyth and The Family Battenberg at Ty Pawbs Performance Space at 9:25 and 10:20 as well as Otto Aday and Pom Poko in their Flexible Space at 8:55 and 9:50. Sleeping Together will be playing in the Wynnstay Hotel at 10:45, TRAMP at nghtclb at 4:05, Fleece at The Fat Boar at 7:40, and finally Wet Iguanas and Pys Melyn will be playing at Hwb at 3:25 and 7:05.
Hope you have your calendars free, tickets booked, and listening ears on because this years Focus Wales festival is one for the ages.
