FOCUS Wales’ 10th anniversary edition will take place in Wrexham over 7th-9th May 2020! They have announce a new wave of artists for this years festival, including legendary musician Richard Hawley as one of their special guest headliners to play on the Friday of FOCUS Wales 2020.
In the two decades that have elapsed since Hawley jettisoned band life first with The Longpigs and then as Pulp’s guitarist the 52-year-old has forged one of the most diverse careers in modern music. In 2019, his ninth studio album Further achieved his joint highest chart entry at number 3. Richard Hawley will be playing William Aston Hall on Friday 8th May 2020, as part of FOCUS Wales 2020.
Amongst the other 50 acts announced are legendary Hacienda DJ Graeme Park, pop punk’s next big thing BRONNIE,
Rosehip Teahouse who made BBC’s top ‘ones to watch’ list for 2020, everybody’s favourite festival brass Band Pres Llareggub, and exciting new Radio 1 favourite twst, plus lots more announced, including artists from Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, and Scotland.
Announced for the FOCUS Wales conference today is Janice Long (BBC). Janice was the first woman to have her own daily show on Radio 1. Summed up recently, The Radio Times quoted “This woman made a seamless segue from Radio 1 to Top of the Pops to a late-night slot on Radio 2 without any dampening of her passionate fire for music, old and new. Her knowledge of music is encyclopaedic; audience engagement remains her motivation. And, lest we forget, Janice championed Primal Scream and was the DJ who gave Amy Winehouse her first radio session.” Janice will be in conversation with Chris Hawkins (BBC Radio 6Music) on Thursday 7th May.
FOCUS Wales has become Wales’ biggest music industry event, with three days of panels, keynote talks, and industry advice, the festival will see over 400 music industry professionals descend upon Wrexham from around the world. Speakers announced include: Allison Shaw (Manic Monkee, USA), Jason Mayall (Fuji Rocks Festival, Japan), Lisa Schwartz (Folk Alliance), David Silbaugh (Summerfest, USA), Henca Maduro (New Skool Rules, Netherlands), Emma Zillmann (Blue Dot/Kendal Calling), and Julie Weir (Sony Music). To see the full list of delegates announce so far, visit www.focuswales.com
FOCUS Wales 2020 takes places 7th, 8th, 9th May across various venues in Wrexham, North Wales. Full 3 day wristbands for admission to all FOCUS Wales events are available now at www.focuswales.com/tickets
