search for something...

search for something you might like...

Focus on Wales All eyes and ears on Wrexham for the 14th The International Showcase Festival l Focus Wales

Focus on Wales

All eyes and ears on Wrexham for the 14th The International Showcase Festival l Focus Wales

by DJ Fuzzyfelt,
first published: May, 2024

approximate reading time: minutes

...you can't go anywhere in Wales without hearing something by Carmarthen trio Adwaith

Over the coming few days 20,000 plus people are expected to descend on Wrexham for the 14th iteration of The International Showcase Festival l Focus Wales with a variety of music related conferences,a film festival, and 300+ live performances in venues ranging from pub backrooms, to churches, to the William Gladstone Hall which is the biggest venue in the city.

Bands from as far afield as Australia, Mozambique and Canada will be appearing, the whole event is headlined by Spiritualized, with the likes The Mysterines, The Royston Club, Deerhoof, and festival perennials Snapped Ankles.

However I'm going to keep it local and talk about the Welsh acts who will be gracing the festival.

First of all you can't go anywhere in Wales without hearing something by Carmarthen trio Adwaith (Reaction) booming out from radios, TV, or even in drag clubs where their song 'Eto' (Again) is a staple. Winners of two Welsh Mercury Prizes with a new album due this Summer, and fresh off a UK headlining tour as well as dates supporting Jane Weaver, Adwaith are the hottest ticket at the festival.

Next are Ynys (Island), led by Dylan Hughes who has been around for a while in various bands but has now struck out on his own releasing an excellent self-titled album last year on the excellent Libertino Records (Libertinorecords.com→) with a swift follow up due in the Summer. Dylan has assembled a bunch of crack musicians to play his songs live and, going on his album, and a taster single 'Aros Amdanat Ti' (Waiting For You) this will be another not to be missed gig.

SYBS have just released a brilliant album, 'Olew Nadroedd' (Snake Oil). It's a lively brew-raucous is the word... I hear Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Yo La Tengo and more which they mix up into heady, exciting noise which is all their own. I can't wait to catch SYBS live.

Other acts I would recommend are Cerys Hafana whose beautiful harp and acoustic music will be complemented by her playing in St Giles Church. Georgia Ruth will be previewing tracks from her forthcoming album. Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog will be playing their wonderful brand of Alt-Country which is a genre that doesn't normally float my boat but I will always go out of my way to experience the fragile but powerful beauty of the music of Iwan Huws and his brothers. Finally Worldcub will be playing tracks old and new including songs from their forthcoming 'Back To The Beginning' album.

Catch all of the above, except for the headliners, if you can but also seek out Chroma, Gintis, Campfire Social, HMS Morris, Pys Melyn, Melin Melyn, Gillie, Angharad, Eadyth, Voya, Eye, Mr Phormula and Travo.....it's a long list but worth it!

£75 a ticket, unless you want to attend the conferences, and it's a fact that most people who go once have made it their annual go to festival. Enjoy!


Essential information
Main image Adwaith
Festival Website is here→ 

DJ Fuzzyfelt

DJ Fuzzyfelt is a part time intinerant farm worker, sharing their time between Portugal and Wales where there is a lot of farm work... Lover of music, megaliths, and magick.


about DJ Fuzzyfelt »»

Pete Williams web banner

RECENT STORIES

RANDOM READS

All About and Contributors

HELP OUTSIDELEFT

Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]

WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT

If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]

WRITERS thru' the Years

Agata Makiela, Alan Devey, Alan Rider, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Becca Kelly, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Cassie Thomas, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, Danny Rose, David Hackney, David O'Byrne, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Dr. Rich, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, J.Lee, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Jonathan Thornton, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Kiah Cranston, Kleo Kay, Lake, Lee Paul, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Martin Devenney, Meave Haughey, Michelle Williams, Mike Fox, mindy strouse, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Ogglypoogly, OL House Writer, Pam, Paul Burns, Paul Hawkins, Paul Mortimer, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Richard John Walker, Rick Casson, Rikki Stein, Ronan Crinion, Rowena Murphy, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sheridan Coyle, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, The Conversation, Tim London, Tim Sparks, Tony Fletcher, Toon Traveller, Trevi, Urs Lerch, Wayne Dean-Richards, and founders, Alarcon & Lamontpaul

OUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE

Last NIght of the LTB Showrooms
OUTSIDELEFT Night Out
weekend

outsideleft content is not for everyone