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FOCUS Wales


Various venues, Wrexham, Sun 1-Sat 7 May


International showcase festival FOCUS Wales is back again for its 11th edition, and takes place across multiple venues in Wrex- ham. There are over 250 artists delivering over 300 live sets across 20 stages, with both household names and emerging Welsh talent coming together in North Wales at the beginning of May.


Liverpool post-punks Echo & The Bunnymen, the Welsh and Cornish-language Gwenno, and recent indie breakout fave Self Esteem top the bill this year, while other artists include Public Service Broadcasting, Goat Girl, Pip Blom and Cardiff grime star Mace The Great.


While there’s a lot of Welsh talent at FOCUS Wales, other acts are coming from across the world, with artists from Canada, Ja- pan, Mexico, Mongolia and the USA rubbing shoulders with those from closer to home – there’s a reason it won the Best Festival For Emerging Talent award at the UK Festival Awards in 2019. As well as live acts, however, there are music industry panels and discussions throughout the weekend, with big names from across the music world.


The OUS Wales ilm estival returns too, with film screenings, industry talks and a short film competition, while there’s also set to be a presentation of new works and performances celebrating the arts of the surrounding area and beyond.


The majority of venues are located close by each other around the city centre, and there are two train stations in Wrexham: Wrexham Central is in the city centre, while Wrexham General is just out- side. Near the venues is an array of shops, pubs, restaurants and accommodation options.


Who: Echo & The Bunnymen, Gwenno, Self Esteem


How much: £55 standard festival pass/£80 priority pass/day tickets from £35. Info: focuswales.com


The Queer Fringe Festival


Various venues around Cardiff, Thurs 2 June-Sun 3 July


Hosted by nonprofit ardiff institution The ueer mporium, based in the oyal rcade, The ueer Fringe Festival takes place over the course of a month across over 40 venues around the city. There’s set to be a mix of music, theatre, comedy, film, drag, dance and more, so there will be something for everyone.


Who: TBC How much: TBC Info: queerfringefestival.com


16


Between The Trees Festival


Candleston Castle Campsite, Bridgend, Fri 26-Sun 28 Aug


Between The Trees brings a weekend of folk music, art and spoken word to the Merthyr Mawr Nature Reserve, south-west of Bridgend, at the end of August. This family-friendly festival gives attendees the chance to connect with nature through workshops and activities, as well as plenty of music and a whole load of speakers too.


Who: Honey & The Bear, Calum Ingram, Rusty Shackle


How much: £110 adult weekend/£50 child weekend; camping pitch up to £70 extra. Info: betweenthetrees.co.uk


Festival Guide 2022


Wales


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