15 years from its first incarnation Focus Wales has grown into a 3 day multi-venue showcase for some of the best new music from not only the UK but from around the world. This year saw an almost unbelievable 200+ artists descend on the city and spread their talents across well over 20 different venues. There’s cinema, music industry conferences, panels, networking and bands, bands, bands. Focus Wales, as it’s name suggests, places huge importance on promoting bands from Wales but there’s also a massive effort to showcase up and coming bands from across Europe and, indeed, from even further afield. Take, for example, nghtclb – a small venue at the end of the high street that on Thursday afternoon saw three bands from Canada play. Friday afternoon the focus was bands from Spain whilst Saturday it was Catalonia and the Balearics.
Venues range from the huge, 2000 capacity marquee – Llwn Isaf – to small back rooms of pubs. In the case of The Parish the front room where as soon as you walk through the door you’re practically standing in front of the band performing. But it’s these small venues that, for this reviewer, make Focus Wales special. Venues such as Penny Black, Old No.7 Bar, Saith Seren, the already mentioned Parish and nghtclb, Ty Pawb and the bigger (but not big, big) Rockin’ Chair are where the atmosphere builds quickly, where there’s a real buzz in the air, where the sweat starts to build after just a few minutes and where, in my personal opinion, you’re more than likely to catch those bands you’ve never heard of before but you quickly think “Wow! these are now on my ‘must see again’ list”. But it’s not all about those that are up and coming. Focus Wales brings some well established bands to headline in Llwyn Isaf. This year Sprints, Nova Twins and Gruff Rhys took the honours. Despite the number of venues it takes hardly any time to get from one to another. Add in reasonably priced bar prices, loads of local coffee shops and a big choice of places to grab some decent food (including Ty Pawb where you can get pie and chips, curries, pancakes, various sweet treats as well as hot & cold drinks all whilst listening to whatever band is playing in the background) and there is nothing not to like about Focus Wales. How the organisers pull it all together I don’t know. But they do and they do it brilliantly.
As for the bands/artists – punk, indie, pop, rap, electronica, dance, soul, folk, grunge, stoner and whatever other genre you can think of you will find it here. And that’s what’s so great. If you don’t have a plan of who to see then just wander. If one venue isn’t your thing then go next door, or just down the road. You’ll find something you like.
Our main focus was the more noisy, alternative side of things although on all three days we watched great sets by artists who would never fit into this category.
Thursday we witnessed some absolute festival standouts. The furious, pounding, adrenalin pumping punk rock of We Hate You Please Die in Ty-Pawb was quickly followed by the dark, minimal, bass/synth heavy post-punk of eat-girls. Both from France, both superb, both leaving me with a sense of “well that’ll be hard to beat”. But then a wander over to the Rockin’ Chair to see Belgiums Meltheads gave us quite possibly the standout highlight of the weekend. That band I’d never seen before and don’t understand how I’ve missed them. Hard hitting, brutal, in your face rock n roll. Guitar riffs that slice through you and, in Sietse Willems, a frontman who completely owned the stage and barrier. Headlining Llwyn Isaf Ireland’s Sprints are, as always, superb hammering out their passionate, abrasive, garage punk. If the day had ended there I’d have been happy. But it didn’t. Back in Ty Pawb Sounds Mint delivered a fantastic set of their own take on catchy, melodic, chatty post-punk. Completely unique yet at the same time, if you concentrate, you’ll here snippets of sounds from loads of great bands.
There was no way we were getting a decent spot in Penny Black to see Getdown Services so it was back to the Rockin Chair’s smaller stage where Portugal’s MAQINA blew the place apart with a set of sharp, powerfully noisy, industrial techno. Powerful is an understatement. Completely pummelled into submission is a better description. Absolutely hypnotic, MAQUINA’s relentless noise draws you in, doesn’t let go and finally spits you out as their final notes die on stage.
Staying in Rockin’ Chair but shifting to the bigger stage Welsh legends Mclusky hammer out their aggressive noise-rock to a capacity crowd who hang on every note, every lyric. It’s not so long since tinitus and other issues were, quite possibly, going to end front man Falco’s musical career after over 20 years. Thankfully sturdy ear-defenders mean he can carry on for now. They play like it’s the last show they’ll ever do. Mclusky give it all and those present lap every bit up and give it right back.
Friday gave us another day of brilliant sunshine and brilliant music. As with Thursday there were some absolute standouts, a decent number of which that had never previously crossed my radar.
In nghtclb Spain’s Mirage blend the grunge of bands like Nirvana with the pop of big hitters such as Blondie and Wet Leg. Alt rock duo Sustinere are superb in Llwyn Isaf filling the cavernous venue with a huge sound. A sound that hits hard, packed full of infectious guitar riffs yet at the same time is foot tappingly danceable. Staying in Llwyn Isaf the massive riffs of Hazmat blend 90’s grunge with heavy rock and a healthy dose of shoegazey brit-pop. Moving well away from the punky noise I’m usually drawn to EYVE is brilliant in Penny Black. A perfect blend of dance, rap and amazing Afro beats. Panic Shack are a huge draw in Llwyn Isaf and see the biggest crowd of the day witness their high energy punky pop. A Panic Shack gig is packed with energy and it’s a matter of minutes before the place is bouncing and singing along. Serious fun delivering quirky yet serious points about modern day life. Body shaming, misogyny, anti-romance, nights out on the lash. All are covered in Panic Shack’s unique way.
Friday main headliners Nova Twins bring their throbbing, bass heavy, grimey blend of punky hip-hop. They bravely deal with a broken guitar issue early on with Cleopatra, Taxi and latest single Piranha losing little of their power when reduced to just bass, drums, vocals and effects pedals. But I’ve got to admit seeing them on such a big stage in such a big venue just isn’t as exciting as seeing them in a small, rammed room where every person is there just for them and we leave after five songs.
Tramhaus are the band of the day. They’re noisy, jittery, raw, shouty, chaotic, daring and completely compelling. Reviews have compared them to the Pixies and Joy Division but they’re so much more than this. Uncontrolled, wild with an addictive beat running underneath that draws the packed crowd in Ty Pawb into a swaying mass. Vocalist Lukas Jansen seems possessed as he leaps around the stage. It’s over far too quickly. If you’ve never heard of them look them up. If you’ve never seen them live then make sure you do. ASAP. Absolutely brilliant.
Switzerland’s Anna Erhard closes our day. Headlining the Rockin’ Horse main stage the room is packed. Melodic, quirky, full of dry humour. Opening with Short Cut, Campsite and Guestroom these are songs that you need to listen to, to concentrate on if you’re to appreciate the wit and nuances in each. Perhaps it’s the fact it’s late and people have been drinking, or that it’s a festival and people have just popped in to ‘see what she’s like’ rather than being a fan. Whatever it is there’s far too many people talking. Even down the front some are stood with their back to the stage chatting to each other. It’s arrogant, it’s rude and it’s infuriating for those who want to really appreciate the subtleties of Erhard’s songs. A real shame how a significant minority can spoil what should have been a fantastic end to an otherwise brilliant day.
Saturday brings more glorious sunshine together with an increased buzz about town. A slightly later start for us as we head to Saith Seren to catch the enchanting sounds of Mali Haf. It’s other worldy, poppy and packed with dance grooves. The Welsh language songs are a hit with those here to witness her set.
TRAMP are superb in nghtclb. Infectious, punky, rebellious – Tramp’s songs often burn slowly before exploding into raucous noise as they tackle misogyny in all it’s forms. Recent EP Bimbofication is well worth some of your time.
The Parish is packed, hot, sweaty and perfect for the distorted guitars and raw sounds of alternative rockers alright(okay).
An hour later we return to The Parish and witness another weekend highlight. Well known around their native Manchester DEAFDEAFDEAF were new to me. It’s bands like this that make a festival such as Focus Wales so special. Discovering that band that instantly become one of your favourites and one not to miss when they next tour. Grungy, punky, post-punky with tiny hints of goth with brilliantly catchy beats behind the roar. Within seconds the place is bouncing, the energy exploding from band and those in the know at the front not letting up until they walk off stage. Fantastic stuff.
Pom Poko are, as always, superb. Ty Pawb is packed to the edges for their glorious set of lively, quirky, uplifting, freewheeling bangers. It’s experimental, sometimes sweet, sometimes weird, sometimes quiet, often loud, bouncy, with no let-up from song to song. And in vocalist Ragnhild Fangel someone whose absolute joy at being able to leap around a stage singing these songs is almost palpable.
We close our night in Penny Black for Adult DVD and their superb blend of foot tapping, synth based electro dance-pop. The crowd love it, hooked in and dancing from start to finish. Adult DVD are one of those bands who have managed to develop a sound that is uniquely theirs in this day and age. There’s hints of late 70’s electronic pioneers such as Fad Gadget but ultimately Adult DVD sound like no-one else. A glorious, hypnotic thirty minutes lost in some splendidly off-kilter dance grooves. Always a highlight of any festival.
Focus Wales – a festival to discover your new favourite bands. A festival whose heart lies in the promotion of emerging artists from Wales and beyond. If you love live music you’ll love Focus Wales.
Over 30 bands seen. Just under £80 for three days. That is superb value.
We said it last year and we’ll say it again. Probably the best town based, multi-day, multi-venue festival of the year.
Roll on 2026.
Gallery of all bands seen below:
