60+ new acts have been announced today for FOCUS Wales 2018, they include: hotly tipped Alpha Male Tea Party, HMS Morris who return following the release of their new album and single Morbid Mind / Arth. Plus Dutch band Canshaker Pi were the talk of the town amongst tastemakers at Eurosonic 2018, Chester trio Peaness, and Cardiff’s Dan Bettridge who’s been building significant industry buzz on both sides of the Atlantic. Martin Carr of Britpoppers The Boo Radleys returns with his critically acclaimed solo work. Plus a host of incredible new artists from across the UK, joined by international acts from Estonia, Hungary, Korea, the Netherlands, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Sweden + more!
The first keynote speaker for the FOCUS Wales 2018 conference has also been announced as Kliph Scurlock. Kliph became known for his dynamic and energetic drumming style during his long stint behind the kit for The Flaming Lips. In Wales he was perhaps just as well known for his ‘CYMRU’ tshirt, which he sported at most live shows. It is this distant yet passionate connection with the music of our tiny country, that eventually lured Kliph across the Atlantic to take up residence in Cardiff, and has since seen him perform alongside artists such as Gruff Rhys, Gulp, and Gwenno. Kliph will be discussing his life in music, and his love affair with Wales on Thursday 10th May at Wrexham’s brand new arts and markets centre Tŷ Pawb.
Alongside this, more industry speakers have been announced for the FOCUS Wales interactive conference, including: Achal Dhillon (Killing Moon), Jad El Alam (Alternative Live Agency, France), Ffion Lewis (Sound Diplomacy), Lisa Whytock (Showcase Scotland Expo) and Hywel Wigley (Acapella) and lots more.
EarlyBird festival tickets are now sold out, and standard Festival Passes are on sale for just £40 via www.focuswales.com/tickets as well as at Bank St Coffee, Wrexham, and The Leader Shop, Wrexham.
FOCUS Wales 2018 takes place over 10th, 11th, 12th May across multiple venues in Wrexham, North Wales. Full 3 day wristbands for admission to all FOCUS Wales events are available now at
http://www.focuswales.com/tickets from £40 each. FOCUS Wales is supported by Arts Council of Wales and
Welsh Government and Wrexham County Borough Council.
