FOCUS Wales announces 105 more acts for its 16th anniversary edition

FOCUS Wales has unveiled a further 105 new artists for its 16th anniversary edition, following last month’s first wave announcement of 76 acts. The newly revealed lineup spans 22 countries, from the USA and Canada to Scotland and Indonesia, underlining the festival’s reputation as one of the UK’s most internationally minded showcases.

The latest announcement brings together an ambitious mix of emerging global talent. North Wales trio Bau Cat deliver cosmic country and psych-indie with garage grit, while Montréal’s Boutique Feelings blend hip-hop, psychedelia and krautrock into hazy, hypnotic soundscapes. Palestinian artist BASYL offers soulful, melodic hip-hop rooted in questions of identity and connection, and Californian songwriter Caleb Nichols combines indie folk and power pop with sharp, queer-conscious storytelling.

Elsewhere, London-based Dutch multi-instrumentalist ISHA fuses funk, jazz and electronics into fluid, groove-led performances, Beijing art-rock outfit KyoYoko push theatrical experimentation, and Brighton’s Lime Garden bring their danceable, disco-tinged “wonk pop” to Wrexham. Austrian prodigy Oskar Haag, the youngest-ever FM4 Amadeus Award winner, joins Scottish singer-songwriter Becky Sikasa, whose off-pop blends emotive songwriting with vibrant harmonies.

FOCUS Wales’ long-standing commitment to folk, roots and global music continues across the programme. Welsh artist Ceitidh Mac merges traditional and modern folk with cinematic textures, while Eleanor Dunsdon & Gregor Black reimagine the harp through jazz, classical and electronic influences. Kaia Kater, the JUNO Award–winning banjo virtuoso, brings cinematic folk shaped by Quebec, Appalachia and the Caribbean, alongside Scottish fiddler Ryan Young, whose contemporary approach transforms traditional melodies.

Heavier sounds are well represented, with Canadian duo Bonnie Trash blending post-punk, goth and metal, and Welsh project EYE delivering gothic electro-doom led by Jessica Ball of Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard. Groom the Giant, Holy Coves, Seoul’s Wah Wah Wah and Portuguese noise-rockers Sunflowers add further intensity and experimentation.

Welsh music remains central to the festival’s identity. Carreg Lafar, Mellt, Keys, Osgled and Spirited Followers showcase the breadth of contemporary Welsh creativity, from driving folk and Welsh-language guitar pop to immersive electronic soundscapes and genre-blurring experimental performances.

Late-night energy comes courtesy of Jakarta’s Logic Lost, Gothenburg’s Sylvie’s Head, and Indonesian artist XANDEGA, bringing club-ready sounds that fuse techno, breakbeats, metal and pop into high-impact sets.

Across genres, languages and borders, FOCUS Wales continues to champion discovery—placing new artists in front of industry and audiences alike, and proving once again why it remains a vital meeting point for international talent.

FOCUS Wales is supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government, and PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Network.

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