FOCUS Wales 2026 expands lineup with 60 new names from Wales, England and beyond

FOCUS Wales has unveiled a further 60 artists for its 2026 edition, marking the festival’s 16th anniversary with a bold celebration of emerging Welsh talent alongside standout names from across the UK and beyond.

Following earlier waves featuring the likes of Fat Dog, Idlewild, Shame, Deerhoof, Moonchild Sanelly and Lime Garden, the latest announcement sharpens the spotlight on Wales’ next generation — while reinforcing the festival’s growing international reach.

Welsh voices run deep through this year’s additions. Bilingual electro-pop force Betsan — recently named one of the Arts Council of Wales’ “32 Welsh Artists to Watch in 2026” — brings nostalgic lyricism and genre-blurring flair. Cardiff R&B artist Bruna Garcia channels her Portuguese and Cape Verdean heritage into rhythm-driven, early-2000s-tinged cuts, while rising indie-pop talent Hana Lili continues her rapid ascent following Radio 1 support and major live moments including a Cardiff show supporting Coldplay.

Elsewhere, Cardiff-born Lily Beau brings cinematic, jazz-inflected songwriting, while Painkiller — the new venture from Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard’s Tom Rees — makes its mark. Electronic experimentation arrives via Tokomololo, and psych-tinged textures from Eryri-based Worldcub.

Heavier sounds also take centre stage: Bangor duo C E L A V I unleash explosive bilingual nu-metal, while Wrexham’s Hiraeth deliver politically charged, atmospheric black metal rooted in Welsh history. Beyond Wales, the lineup stretches across Austria, Canada, England, Germany, Spain and the US. Bella Union-signed Austrian artist LuxJury brings candid, queer alt-pop; Manchester’s Rainy Day Café offer melodic, lo-fi charm; and Canada’s Sam Tudor blends jazz sensibilities with ambient textures.

A Marshall-curated showcase further broadens the palette, spotlighting a new wave of female talent including Gigi Gold, Megan Wyn, Berlin-based Mia Gjakonovski and London’s genre-fusing Peach.

Yet, true to its ethos, FOCUS Wales remains firmly embedded in Wrexham’s community fabric. Local initiatives including Derwen on Tour, Drumming for Wellbeing, Lleisiau Clywedog and the Wrexham All Voices Choir reflect the festival’s commitment not only to bold new music, but to participation, inclusivity and wellbeing.

Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government and PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Network, FOCUS Wales 2026 is shaping up to be its most expansive — and most community-driven — edition yet.

For tickets, delegate passes, and further information, visit www.focuswales.com.