Indie Revolution At Focus Wales 2024

Focus Wales is an exciting event at the heart of Wrexham that has been going for over a decade now. It’s a great event for discovering new bands and a fantastic opportunity for anyone in the music industry to network. With three days of acts from around the world there is something for everyone.

We had scheduled so many exciting acts to see that over the course of the weekend we must have walked a thousand miles! The first act that stood out to us was The Silver Lines at a fantastic venue called Hope Street Church. The band is genre defying with songwriting that covers all matter of taboo topics. We were totally blown away by them. Their fantastic new single ‘Cocaine’ is out now.

An act that has resonated with me all week since the festival is the wonderful Charm Of Finches, an Australian sister duo who performed within the stunning St. Giles Church, the setting was just perfect for their ethereal and enchanting performance. A song that really captured me was ‘Clean Cut’.

Megan Wyn rocked it out at The Rockin’ Chair. Megan is an Anglesey born artist who is destined to go far, for such a young age she has already accomplished so much as a musician. She gave an excellent performance, reminiscent of Debbie Harry from Blondie or even the likes of PJ Harvey.

The Garrys are a sibling quartet from Canada consisting of three sisters and their brother who make surf music dripping with nostalgia that could be straight out of a Quentin Tarantino movie soundtrack. They gave a fun and groovy performance at The Parish.

The Royston Club played the main stage Llwyn Isaf, they played a blistering set to a passionate Wrexham crowd who totally soaked them up. With immense vocals they delivered great song lyrics perfect for anthem singalongs, you could feel the crowds love for the band. What another great moment for these talented home town boys.

North Wales band Holy Coves played an electrifying set to an eager crowd at Hope Street Church, the venue was packed out with people listening in off the street. They opened with the vibrant Away We Go and closed with the darkly devastating Droner, they had the crowd in the palm of their hands. If they return to Focus Wales 2025 they will most certainly need a bigger venue.

Adwaith who are a Welsh band to the core played a stomping set at The Rockin’ Chair, the highlight was hearing their latest single MWY, a track that is made to be played live.

Sister Envy are a North Wales band signed to Snowdonia Records (along with Holy Coves). They played their debut at Focus Wales in the Wynnstay Arms and blew the crowd away. The very same day they released their second single ‘Tide’. This is a band that will go far with their exceptional talents.

Spiritualized, a prolific songwriter and musician of Space Rock delivered a beautiful set. It was great for the long time fans but maybe could of done with some of their more popular songs, they were still on fire and delivered a fantastic performance.

That was to name a few, there were many more I would of liked to have seen, for example, Mr. Phormula, Hazmat, Gallops, CVC, Chalk, the list goes on, it was impossible to be everywhere at once but it demonstrates the great variety of talent showcased at Focus Wales. The weekend was packed with astonishing performances from so many accomplished artists. I’m eager to see what Focus Wales 2025 brings us!

Super early bird tickets are now available for Focus Wales 2025 via the link below!

http://www.focuswales.com

Emily Marsden – Editor
#IndieRevolution
@Indierevuk
Indierevuk@gmail.com

Music Scene Wales’ Top 50 Albums of 2023

  1. Ren – Sick Boi

    “This is a mammoth album of the best futuristic hip hop you’ve ever heard, knocking everyone else out of the park.” – Louder Than War

2. The Heavy North – Delta Shakedown

“This is an album that will be talked about for years, it’s a true blues explosion of sound yet there is more to it, far more. The blues/rock vibe acts as a supporting foundation for other elements to be introduced, elements of funk, punk, classical, gospel and everything in between blend seamlessly with their trademark garage blues ethos.” – Upcoming Bands

3. The Shed Project – Our Fear Is Their Power

“The Shed Project show their talents and growth with their new album. Each track goes from strength to strength, hooking you all the way in. The quality in production and song writing is refined, Roy’s vocals are heartfelt and real and their sound has matured.” – Music Scene Wales

4. CVC – Get Real

“Channelling 60’s California, this Welsh six-piece charm with classy psych-pop made for long summer evenings” – The Guardian

5. Apollo Junction – Here We Are

“Apollo Junction are set to take their hallmark anthemic sound to inspiring new heights and a wider audience with their third album Here We Are”. – Louder Than War

6. Trampolene – Rules of Love & War

“Excellently crafted indie guitar pop or whatever you want to label it…a real earworm” – RPM Online

7. Laurie Wright – Get On The End Of It!

“A force of nature possessing a raw and genuine talent that many can only dream of” – Music Scene Wales

8. The Royston Club – Shaking Hips and Crashing Cars

“The whole piece is an awesome medley of sick strings, relatable life experiences and very singable lyrics. Here is your wake up call…get those hips shaking – try to avoid the car crashing though”. – No Extra Source

9. Skindred – Smile

“Ragga-metal mainstays Skindred crank the attitude and stack up a few more anthems on irrepressible eighth album Smile.” – Kerrang

10. Rogue Jones – Dos Bebés

“Strides confidently and boldly, full of great songs built and presented with excellent musicianship and production.” – Wales Arts Review

11. The Lottery Winners – Anxiety Replacement Therapy

12. Lewca – Boombap for Boomers

13. The Lathums – From Nothing To A Little Bit More

14. The Reytons – What’s Rock And Roll?

15. DMA’s – How Many Dreams?

16. Mr Phormula – A.W.D.L

17. boygenius – The Record

18. Himalayas – From Hell To Here

19. Declan Welsh and the Decadent West – 2

20. Godsticks – This Is What A Winner Looks Like

21. Mark Sharp & The Bicycle Thieves – Unmask The Circus

22. Senses – Little Pictures Without Sound

23. Stellar Echoes – Now Is All There Is

24. Nancy Ackroyd – Light the Lamps

25. Brownbear – Demons

26. The Utopiates – The Sun Also Rises

27. Mace The Great – SplottWorld

28. Andrew Cushin – Waiting For The Rain

29. Brooke Combe – Black Is The New Gold

30. Thrillhouse – Something About This Place

31. The Sherlocks – People Like Me & You

32. H. Hawkline – Milk For Flowers

33. The View – Exorcism of Youth

34. Death Of Guitar Pop – Be Lucky

35. Baxter Dury – I Thought I Was Better Than You

36. Spector – Here Come The Early Nights

37. BDRMM – I Don’t Know

38. King Krule – Space Heavy

39. Olivia Dean – Messy

40. Rebelski – Simplicity

41. The Goa Express – The Goa Express

42. Gallaher’s Green – Dare To Dream

43. Box Of Trash – Candlewood 230

44. Ivan Moult – Songs From The Severn Grove

45. Tapestri – Tell Me World

46. Those Damn Crows – Inhale/Exhale

47. Revolution Rabbit Deluxe – Control Freaks

48. Patio – Collection

49. Come At The King – Overgrown

50. Katie MF – False Starts, Open Endings





Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

TIWN MAGAZINE ISSUE 5 OUT NOW

In this issue we catch up with, cover star, Benji Webbe of Skindred, ex Simple Minds star Mick McNeil,
keyboard player to the stars Nigel Hopkins as well as Nancy Ackroyd, Caitlin Lavagna, one of Wales’ top venue owners Jordan McGuire from The Bunkhouse, Undersound, Adlais with Connor Morgans and so much more – dive in, click on the QR codes and bask in the glory that is Wales and beyond. We also announce our winner of the best album between November 2022

October 2023 in TIWN’S TOP TEN! Featuring: Holy Coves, Godsticks, Mr Phormula, Skindred, Nancy Ackroyd, Those Damn Crows, Trampolene, Himalayas, Mal Pope and Tapestri.

We hope that you find something to entertain you between these sheets and, following public outcry, we are now making TIWN available at selected outlets across Wales!

info@tiwnmedia.co.uk
http://www.tiwnmedia.co.uk



Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com



Mr Phormula Yn Ryddau Albwm Newydd A.W.D.L / Mr Phormula Releases New Album A.W.D.L

(English Version Below)

Yn syth o Eryri, nid oes angen cyflwyniad ar Phormula, gan gynrychioli rap dwyieithog ers y 2000au.
Hefyd yn ymuno â Mr Phormula ar “A.W.D.L” mae nifer o artistiaid chwedlonol, gan cynnwys 3hree8ight” o Harlech, “Guilty Simpson” o Detroit, “Akil The Mc” o Jurassic 5, heb sôn am waedd gan “Chuck D” o
Public Enemy.

Mae “A.W.D.L” allan ym mhobman rwan ar “Mr Phormula Records” ac yn sicr o roi unrhyw system sain ar dân. Gallwch hefyd ddal Mr Phormula yn perfformio mewn nifer o ddigwyddiadau byw eleni gan
gynnwys Gŵyl Cariad Mawr, Sesiwn Fawr a’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol.

—————————————————————————————————————

Straight from Snowdonia, Phormula needs no introduction, championing bilingual rap since the early 2000s Joining Mr Phormula on “A.W.D.L” are Hip-hop heavyweights Guilty Simpson from Detroit, Akil The Mc from world-renowned Jurassic 5 and not to mention a shoutout from the legendary Chuck D of Public Enemy.

“A.W.D.L” is out everywhere now on Mr Phormula Records and is sure to set any sound system alight. You can also catch Mr Phormula performing at a number of live events this year including Big Love Festival, Sessiwn fawr and the National Eisteddfod.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com