Preview: Ten Acts to look out for at FOCUS Wales 2026
As the great PJ and Duncan once sang in their 90s' classic, despite the trauma of PJ's horrendous paint balling accident:
Let's get ready ready, let's get ready ready..
Let's geeetttt readdddy to rrrummmmmblllle.
Festival season is starting to spring into life and it's time to get excited about watching bands and artists in their natural habitat, doing what they do best. One of the key industry events before the big summer festival season is Wrexham's FOCUS Wales. More than just an industry knees-up, FOCUS has become a yearly highlight of the festival calendar with artists and punters travelling from far and wide for three days of music, films and conferences. There might be a few drinks too.
This year's festival is headlined by Fat Dog, Idlewild and Shame with other established artists like Deerhoof, Gwenno, Alpha Male Tea Party, Bill Ryder Jones and The Bug Club gracing the many different venues throughout Wrexham City Centre. It's lower down the bill though where you're likely to find your next big obsession. We took a trawl through the bill to find ten emerging acts we're most excited to see perform at this years event.
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1) Cruush
Signed to acclaimed label Hit or Heist, Manchester's Cruush have been on many a radar in the last couple of years and bring their shoegaze-inspired guitar pop to Wrexham for the first time. The band have caught the ear of the likes of Jack Saunders (R1), Steve Lemacq (6 Music) and John Kennedy (XFM) in the past, with what the band themselves call a "dirty collage" of alt rock influences. Thriving on their contradictions, Cruush return from a sustained period of writing with new releases planned in 2026, and promise a leaner sound with more melodic sentiments.
2) Freyja Elsy
Freyja Elsy is an accomplished musician and composer, who creates an atmospheric sound that fuses evocative electronica and her classically trained background to stunning effect. Her songs are often complex works with a cinematic feel that take time to connect with, but are ultimately rewarding. Elsy often explores a range of themes in her music; an affinity to existentialism, the feminine experience and the complexities of modern life. Selected for both the BBC Horizons Launchpad Fund and Beacons Cymru's Forte Project in 2025, she is beginning to carve out her place in Wales' emerging electronic scene as an individual and compelling artist.
Freyja Elsy plays on Friday 8th May at Old No. 7, 7:50 - 8:20pm
3) Hannah Green
The Canadian game is always strong at FOCUS Wales and 2026 is no different. Hannah Green is an alternative singer-songwriter from Newfoundland & Labrador who blends a love of melodic folk, indie and ambient soundscapes into her brilliantly crafted songs. Having toured extensively across Canada - both on her own and with a full band - Green has gained a reputation for immersive performances underpinned by raw emotional depth.
Hannah Green plays on Thursday 7th May at The Royal Oak 7:40 - 8:10pm, Friday 8th May at The Fat Boar 7:40 - 8:05pm and Saturday 9th May at Old No.7 & 7:00 - 7:30pm
Hailing from the murky flatlands between Newport and Swansea, noise rock likely lads Only Fools & Corpses are coming to Wrexham to make your eyes pop out like a 50s' cartoon character; inappropriately showing affection to a similarly animated female character - usually a rabbit or something. They're also likely to make your eardrums want to cave in on themselves and question your life choices. Sardonic, angular and with a growing reputation for ferocious live shows, these boys are not one to miss. Just make sure you're not thinking of leaning on the bar when they play.
Only Fools & Corpses play on Saturday 9th May at Penny Black (Room 1) 9:00 - 9:30pm
Another performer who deals in intimate, yet expansive compositions is Iceland's Rakel. Since her debut EP Nothing Ever Changes landed - seemingly from out of nowhere in 2021 - she has continued to develop into a compelling singular voice. The type of artist who doesn't try to explain the narrative, Rakel's songs are an immersive experience where tuning in can bring satisfying rewards. Her recordings often incorporate the sound of life's background - clocks, birds, breathing, the creak of a floorboard - which add a depth and charm to her cohesive vision. Expect to charmed by her unique musical takes.
Rakel plays on Saturday 9th May at St.Giles Church 5:50 - 6:20pm
6) Servo
There's always room for the gloom at FOCUS Wales and Servo will be bringing plenty of brooding post- punk with them from France. Their sound finds a band willing to play around with your expectations, flitting between heavy riffs, droning psych and gothic sentiments. The band have spent the last few years touring extensively and have honed a trance-inducing live show that takes no prisoners. You might need your earplugs here kids.
Servo play on Thursday 7th May at Ty Pawb 6:15 - 6:45pm and Friday 8th May at The Parish 8:20 - 8:50pm
7) Sylvie's Head
Gothenburg's Sylvie's Head are the kind of band that like to keep you guessing; in fact you're not going to find too many bands on this years lineup with such a disregard for sticking in their lane. Named after a My Bloody Valentine b-side, the band often move freely between hard breakbeats, the euphoria of house and the freedom of 60s' influenced guitar pop. Despite comparisons to the likes of Primal Scream and The Charlatans, Sylvie's Head are winning new fans with their fresh take on an established sound .With debut album Everything is Free out on May 15th, it's be a great time to see what all the fuss is about.
Sylvie's Head play on Saturday May 9th at 00:00-00:30 and later that day at The Parish 7:00 - 7:30pm
8) Trial Tapes
Having returned home to Liverpool from a decade living in Brighton, songwriter Jack McNally began writing the songs that were to turn into Trial Tapes. This fresh start came after McNally had come out of the closet and provided inspiration for him to reconnect with music after years of silence. Blending motorik rhythms, warped guitars and a lush synth tones, McNally's candid lyrics explore sexual identity, late blooming and the absurdities of modern life with a sardonic sense of humour. Early signs point to a talent with a knack for memorable, meaningful melodies you'll struggle to get out of your head.
Trial Tapes plays on Friday 8th May at The Parish, 10:10 - 10:40pm
9) Two-Man Giant Squid
Well, well, well - look who's coming to town. Long time readers of NNWNF will know our history with Brooklyn electro punks Two-Man Giant Squid, so there was much rejoicing when they were confirmed to be playing this years event. The band are in the process of releasing new material after last years' self titled album with two singles released early in the year (read our review HERE). The band's stock increased after playing SXSW in Austin, with 6 Music's Steve Lemacq playing them after being wowed by one of their sets. This is band very much on the ascendancy and expect them to be one of the standouts in Wrexham this year.
Two-Man Giant Squid play on Thursday 7th May at The Rockin' Chair, 9:15 - 9:45pm. Friday 8th May at Glyndwr Uni TV 5:00 - 5:30pm & Wynnstay Hotel 8:55 - 9.25pm. Saturday 9th May Ty Pawb 6:30 - 7:00pm.
10) Why Horses?
A five piece from Cardiff's burgeoning creative scene, Why Horses? bring a whole lot of weirdness with them wherever they go. Fusing post-punk, dance punk and an unashamed love of surrealism; you're never quite sure what you're going to get. In the live setting, they're loud and unorthodox, but they also have a softer side that can worm it's way into your soul if you're open to it. Why Horses? are a band not afraid to put their own spin on well-trodden ground.
By the way, the answer to the question is because they look cute eating a sugar lump and give bloody good cuddles.
Why Horses? play on Thursday 7th May at The Parish, 10:10pm - 10:40pm
FOCUS Wales takes place between 7th/8th/9th May 2026 in various venues around Wrexham. Limited remaining tickets are available to buy from THIS LINK and time is running out. THE WORLD IS ON FIRE, go and see some excellent music for crying out loud. See you on the front line.
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