FOCUS Wales has excited to announce 104 new acts for its 2025 music lineup, showcasing an impressive array of emerging talent from across the globe. Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government, and PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Network, FOCUS Wales remains committed to connecting artists with audiences and fostering creative growth. After a successful showcase at ESNS25, where Welsh talent made a strong impact on the European music industry and media, the festival is proud to present a vibrant collection of international artists in Wrexham this May.
Among the European standout acts, Cushla offers a unique blend of Irish sean-nós singing and contemporary electronic textures. France’s eat-girls create an immersive lo-fi atmosphere with a fusion of minimal synth and electronic pop, while Catalonia’s Joana Dark showcases her versatility across techno’s many subgenres. Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys, led by South African-born, Berlin-based Lucy Kruger, deliver gothic noir pop with folk-gaze and evocative storytelling. Swedish experimental noise rockers The Family Men push the boundaries of rock with their industrial tones and unorthodox style. Brussels-based TUKAN combine jazz and post-rock in a computer-free, percussive electronic journey, while Faroese artist Elinborg crafts dark electronic pop, with her much-anticipated debut album due out in 2025.
Expanding its global reach, FOCUS Wales 2025 brings together talent from Asia, Australia and North America. Seoul’s HYPNOSIS THERAPY offers high-energy performances of their acclaimed album PSILOCYBIN, blending techno, house and hip-hop. Australia’s Stella Bridie layers sharp pop instincts with indie rock, while New York’s Diary creates shimmering jangle-pop infused with shoegaze and dreamlike textures. Patche, part of the M for Montreal takeover, presents a striking fusion of experimental rock, krautrock and ambient soundscapes, and fellow Quebecoise Truck Violence channels raw energy through hardcore with folk undercurrents. Vancouver’s Teon Gibbs, whose roots span Botswana and South London, blends R&B, soul and hip-hop, while Nap Eyes deliver cosmic, literate guitar pop, Nova Scotia’s sibling trio The Gilberts offer soulful, harmony-rich indie-folk and Ellen Froese from Saskatoon presents an expansive mix of folk and country.
In partnership with APRA and the British Council NZ, three New Zealand artists will be featured in the Māori reception and showcase. Jordyn With a Why combines bilingual lyrics with 1980s influences for a soulful, unique sound, while MĀ blends soul, hip-hop and Māori language into a distinct musical identity. Seven-piece band MOHI brings together neo-soul, pop and funk with traditional Māori elements, promising a powerful performance.
British music scenes are also strongly represented, with standout acts from across other UK nations. Holysseus Fly from Bristol merges jazz-soul with electronic beats, while Low Girl enchants with emotionally charged indie pop. Scotland’s Iona Fyfe, a strong advocate for the Scots language, presents a blend of traditional folk and contemporary influences, and alt-pop band Lloyd’s House fuse 90s indie rock with modern pop sensibilities.
The Welsh lineup for 2025 is equally impressive, showcasing the rich sonic diversity of Wales. Eve Goodman, a bilingual singer-songwriter from North Wales, weaves folk storytelling with a profound connection to nature, drawing inspiration from her experiences in both Wales and Cornwall. Over in South Wales, Danielle Lewis evokes Welsh mysticism through ethereal dream pop, while Jessika Kay mesmerises with her soulful blend of RnB and neo-soul. Red Telephone expand their fusion of melodic psych and darkwave with cinematic influences on their upcoming second album Delay the New Day. English/Welsh duo Body Water introduce a haunting horror-rock edge, while Colwyn Bay’s M. Yesekaon is making waves in the Welsh hip-hop scene. South Wales-based MORN capture attention with intricate post-punk instrumentation and emotive vocals. Papa Jupe’s T.C. deliver darkly humorous critiques through surf-rock and post-punk, and WRKHOUSE, one of BBC Cymru’s top 5 artists to watch, continue to rise with their debut EP Out of the Blue.
With this exciting lineup, FOCUS Wales 2025 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music, creativity and connection, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the global music showcase calendar.
