North Wales

Focus Wales International Showcase Festival 2023

May 11, 2023 — Leave a comment

This year I had the pleasure of being invited to the Focus Wales International Showcase Festival 2023 in Wrexham, to open up the festival with my band Holy Coves and to represent our label Yr Wyddfa Records and Music Scene Wales.

Focus Wales is a fantastic, well thought out music festival which utilises the whole of Wrexham to show you the town in all it’s glory. Between Focus Wales and everything that is happening with Wrexham AFC this place is really thriving and the music scene is so vibrant.

What Andy Jones and his team have created is really something special. The network available there for bands, musicians, artists, managers, promoters and anyone working in the music industry is second to none. It reminds me of the South By Southwest festival in Texas. It really is a brilliant festival.

On the Thursday we had the honour of opening up the festival at The Parish with my band Holy Coves, playing to a packed out venue which blew me away. The Parish is such an important venue, the grassroots of music and is used regularly on the tour circuit by bands and musicians all across the UK.

Our top picks in no particular order were South Wales’ Tom Emlyn, Wales’ HourGlvss, Canadas Pillow Fite, Wrexhams very own The Columbians, Brighton’s Squid and our brand new signing Sister Envy from North Wales, who played their final gig as The Pastimes and announced they have signed to Yr Wyddfa Records and have changed their name to Sister Envy.

I managed to get over to The Parish early hours of Sunday morning to watch the Declan Swans play to a packed out, bouncing venue singing along to every word. Being a Wrexham AFC fan this was a very special moment for me. It was the perfect ending to a fantastic Festival.



Scott Marsden
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

The Immediate Release Mold Box Set (’92 – ’93)

Apr 24, 2023 — Leave a comment

FOR FANS OF: The Who / Husker Du / The Jam / Badfinger / XTC / 60ft Dolls / Teenage Fanclub / Ride

The Immediate are a mod-ish, guitar-fuelled, power pop three-piece from Mold in north Wales.

To celebrate 30 years since our first release as The Immediate, They have compiled a C90’s worth of our best moments. ‘Mold Box Set – Wide Misses and Purple Flashes’ features highlights from our earliest years as well as recordings from our more recent albums, 2017’s ‘Manbuoy’ and 2018’s ‘More Sheep Than Humans’.

The compilation is available as a limited edition cassette (in the tradition of the original ‘The Boy Who Tried To Change The World’ tape from 1993) on bandcamp, and as a digital download / stream from all of the usual platforms.

The songs have been played on 6Music, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Wales and on a number of other excellent radio stations and programmes around the world.

This is the back catalogue of a band who unintentionally evaded every zeitgeist like pre-topknot Gareth Bale evaded the Milan defence. By the time Britpop slid in, we’d already been ripping off Waterloo Sunset for half a decade.

The band were always more in thrall to The Real People than they were to Oasis. They supported Stereophonics the night they were signed to V2 Records, and did nothing to stop it. Played Mansun’s debut album launch party at the Stakis Casino on the Isle of Man, confusing the gathered crowd who asked why they hadn’t played ‘Wide Open Space’ as we shuffled off stage.

Never made it to Camden, but we were massive in Crewe. For one spring / summer in St Tropez they were almost proper pop stars: not bad for dole kids from Mold, north Wales.

Adam Walton says:
“There are reasons for our lack of success; so many near miss / one-that-got-away stories, but they’re stories for another time. This is a collection of our tunes, and – if we had anything right – it was our tunes. Unironic, heart-on-sleeve, power pop anthems wrought from our love of All Mod Cons, The Who Sell Out and Ride’s first two albums.

If you love The Who / Husker Du / The Jam / Badfinger / XTC / 60ft Dolls / Teenage Fanclub / Ride there will be music here you will like, and hopefully love.

The story stretches from our first UK release in 1993 to our most recent recordings, last year. The fact that it all sounds like the same band – whether it’s the pre-Suede nocturnal psychodrama of 1993’s ‘Praying For Sunshine’ or the fierce, tight, tuney thunder of this year’s ‘Divide’ – is a matter of some pride to us.

We never sold out, probably because no one was buying, but the fact remains.”




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

Alffa Release New Single ‘Unkind Mind’

Apr 17, 2023 — Leave a comment

Alffa consists of Dion Wyn Jones and Sion Eifion Land. The duo from North Wales Release their first single of 2023 ‘Unkind Mind’.

This gritty new single commands your full attention with it’s powerful sound. The song builds its way up into an explosive crescendo. Throughout the lyrics they speak of mental health and through repetition remind listeners to not be so hard on themselves.

The band say of the single:

“Taking visual cues from the music videos for ‘Slowly Separate – Crows’ and ‘Mother – IDLES’ my plan was to create a video that portrayed the beauty of the Welsh landscape while also having fun smashing some concrete up in my back garden. 

Filmed along the serene dunes of Traeth Llanddwyn and deep within its skeletal forests along the Ynys Môn coast, shooting ‘Unkind Mind’ on a Saturday afternoon was an absolute pleasure. Even battling the unpredictable weather was a blessing in disguise that helped split the video into its two halves – the colour section and the black & white section.”



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

Focus Wales Film Festival Revealed

Apr 17, 2023 — Leave a comment




The full line-up for the 2023 FOCUS Wales Film Festival has been revealed, featuring 21 films competing for awards, industry panels with the biggest names in Welsh media, plus a feature film programme with new releases from Welsh and Cornish directors. See More


“The 21 films that make up our official selection this year are some of the best we’ve ever seen. When we started the film festival at FOCUS, we wanted to become a go-to destination for the best of Welsh and international film, so it’s great to see it happening in our 4th year, thanks to the amazing filmmakers and support from Ffilm Cymru, the film agency for Wales.”This year the festival will feature an expanded series of industry panels, featuring
– Ffilm Cymru’s BFI Film Development team.
– Media Cymru (the new £50 million to develop a hub for innovation across TV, film, and the wider media industry in Wales).
– Creative Wales (Welsh Government agency providing support to the creative industries).
– Film Hub Wales (Wales’ BFI Film Hub).
– IRIS Prize (BAFTA-qualifying queer film festival ).
– Watch Africa (Wales’ annual African film festival).
– Off Y Grid (collective of Welsh cinema venues).Plus S4C’s Young Audiences Commissioner and others will join a special conversation on the future of digital commissioning, at a pivotal time for the industry, grappling with Tiktok, ai and the ever changing world of ‘content creation.’ Tickets Here

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

Alias Presents Detroit Techno Militia In Holyhead, Anglesey

Apr 5, 2023 — Leave a comment

Flying in all the way from Detroit, Michigan U.S.A, The Detroit Techno Militia 2×4 2023 World Tour starts in Holyhead, Anglesey this Friday at the Con Club at 7pm. A historic event supported by Neil Thomson, Dan Radestock and Zac Kiernan.

Detroit Techno Militia is a grass roots collective of DJ’s and producers located in Detroit, MI on a mission to promote Detroit Techno around the world and preserve the legacy of the underground, Detroit electronic music.

This is a historic event not to be missed! Get your tickets through the link below

https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Llandudno/The-Con-Club%2C-Holyhead/ALIAS-presents–Detroit-Techno-Militia/36305913/

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

Joseph Harvey Releases New Single ‘Flirting With Disaster’

Mar 31, 2023 — Leave a comment

Joseph Harvey ‘Flirts With Disaster’ on brand new single. 

Murdered Out Records is proud to announce the release of Joseph Harvey’s brand new single Flirting With Disaster.

The third single from Harvey is an upbeat, swinging, sizzling-hot number that is sure to cure your winter blues. 

“Flirting With Disaster is sung from the perspective of a hopeless romantic, yearning for the perfect trip abroad with the object of his or her desires. Something we can all relate to from time to time”. 

The song will be released exclusively as a digital only single and is available to download and stream now.

So if the cold weather isn’t your thing, pour yourself a cocktail, press play and close your eyes as you’re transported to somewhere “Far away from the wind and the rain” on Joseph Harvey’s brand new single Flirting With Disaster. 

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

Psychedelic DiscoTech Present An Evening With YOUTH

Mar 25, 2023 — Leave a comment

Martin Youth Glover joined by Alan McGee bring stories of a life in music to North Wales. Chatting, answering your questions, playing music and having a laugh. An extremely unique opportunity for young bands, DJ’s and musicians alike to network with two of the music world’s most fascinating people.

Martin Glover better known by his stage name Youth is best known as a founding member and bassist of the rock band Killing Joke and as British record producer for some of the biggest superstars on the planet. One of the most adaptable and diverse musical figures of the modern age, an influencer of producers and musicians.

World renowned for signing Oasis, Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine and more, Alan McGee the hugely successful Maverick of the music industry, record label owner, musician, manager and co founder of the independent Creation Records label will be joining Youth for these special evenings.

Canolfan Ucheldre Centre, Anglesey – 29th March

Ty Glyndwr Bar and Cafe, Caernarfon – 30th March

St Tudwals, Abersoch – 31st March

The View, Pwllheli Marina – 1st April



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

Hippies Vs Ghosts ‘Green Planets’ Album Review

Mar 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

Following on from the brilliant ‘Giamocs’ Hippies vs Ghosts release ‘Green Planets’, the sixth fantastic new album from Welsh experimental indie rocker Owain Ginsberg, hailing from Cwm y Glo in North Wales.

A kaleidoscope of instruments and unique sounds, this album has you hooked from the first track ‘Wrth Y Mor’ right down to the finale ‘Potions in the Morning.’ It’s full of free flowing music that has no boundaries, groovy and psychedelic.
‘Western Lie’ has to be a favourite for me. An epically atmospheric track!

Although Hippies vs Ghosts have released six albums you will only find two on spotify. For fans who want to check out their back catalogue head over to Bandcamp.

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

Adam Walton Releases New LP ‘Looms (Qt)’

Mar 13, 2023 — Leave a comment

Following on from his album ‘Afal’, Adam Walton from North Wales has put together a collection of instrumental, ambient, field and classical recordings sketched together in his bedroom. The LP spans everything from traditional instruments to synths and effects pedals and it works to create beautiful ambiance in each track.

Intended to be listened to quietly, so the music can insinuate itself and calm the soul, This LP does exactly that. A beautifully crafted compilation of songs.

For listeners of Antonymes, Group Listening, Mogwai, Accu, King Biscuit Time, Graham Devine, Gareth Bonello, Gwenno, Brian Eno, Barrios, The Cure, Boards of Canada, Gerard Cousins, knobs.

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

Holy Coves Announce Free Entry Welsh Tour For March 2023

Mar 10, 2023 — Leave a comment

Alternative Psych-Rock band Holy Coves head out on a free entry Welsh Tour of Wales in March to help the Welsh independent music scene during the cost of living crisis. The tour kicks off at The Parish, Wrexham on Thursday 23rd March, followed by Cwrw, Carmarthen on Friday 24th March and the final tour date at Cader Rocks Torrent Walk, Dolgellau on Saturday 25th March. The band will also play an acoustic instore, free entry gig at The Second 45 Record Shop in Llanelli on Saturday 25th March at 1pm, in partnership with Yr Wyddfa Records, Music Scene Wales, Welsh Connections and Cader Rocks.

Thu 23rd March – The Parish, Wrexham.

Fri 24th March – Cwrw, Carmarthen.

Sat 25th March – Cader Rocks Torrent Walk, Dolgellau

* FREE ENTRY *

Sat 25th March – 1pm – The Second 45 Record Shop – Acoustic instore gig

*FREE ENTRY*

Please come a long and support the venues!

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