FOCUS Wales has announced legendary musician Richard Hawley as part of their line up for the 10th anniversary edition of the 2020 international showcase festival in Wrexham in May.
As well as releasing a string of solo albums that have managed the rare feat of being both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, Richard Hawley has worked with a host of impressive collaborators – including Arctic Monkeys, Manic Street Preachers, and Shirley Bassey. In 2019, his ninth studio album Further achieved his joint highest chart entry at number 3. In the two decades that have elapsed since Hawley jettisoned band life first with The Longpigs and then as Pulp’s guitarist the 52-year-old has forged one of the most diverse careers in modern music. Richard Hawley will be playing William Aston Hall at Glyndwr University as part of FOCUS Wales 2020.
“Alongside Richard Hawley the other 50 acts announced are…”
Legendary Hacienda DJ Graeme Park, pop punk’s next big thing BRONNIE, Rosehip Teahouse who made BBC’s top ‘ones to watch’ list for 2020, everybody’s favourite festival brass Band Pres Llareggub, and exciting new Radio 1 favourite twst, plus lots more announced, including artists from Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, and Scotland.
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Announced for the FOCUS Wales conference today is Janice Long (BBC). Janice was the first woman to have her own daily show on Radio 1. Summed up recently, The Radio Times quoted “This woman made a seamless segue from Radio 1 to Top of the Pops to a late-night slot on Radio 2 without any dampening of her passionate fire for music, old and new. Her knowledge of music is encyclopaedic; audience engagement remains her motivation. And, lest we forget, Janice championed Primal Scream and was the DJ who gave Amy Winehouse her first radio session.” Janice will be in conversation with Chris Hawkins (BBC Radio 6Music) on Thursday 7th May.
FOCUS Wales has become Wales’ biggest music industry event, with three days of panels, keynote talks, and industry advice. The festival will see over 400 music industry professionals descend upon Wrexham from around the world. Speakers announced include: Allison Shaw (Manic Monkee, USA), Jason Mayall (Fuji Rocks Festival, Japan), Lisa Schwartz (Folk Alliance), David Silbaugh (Summerfest, USA), Henca Maduro (New Skool Rules, Netherlands), Emma Zillmann (Blue Dot/Kendal Calling), and Julie Weir (Sony Music). To see the full list of delegates announce so far, visit www.focuswales.com
FOCUS Wales was was recently announced as the winner of Best Festival for Emerging Talent at the UK Festival Awards, and recently shortlisted for a European Festival Award. The festival will see over 250 acts from Wales and around the world descend upon Wrexham across 7 – 9 May.
The mammoth music event takes places May 7, 8 and 9 across various venues in Wrexham, North Wales. Full 3 day wristbands for admission to all FOCUS Wales events are available now at www.focuswales.com/tickets. FOCUS Wales is supported by Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government.
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