FOCUS Wales 2026: Day Two

It's a marathon not a sprint

Over the years I’ve built up certain strategies to help me navigate music conferences. I know my memory can let me down and so I have a spreadsheet that tells me all of the people I’ve emailed, what they do, what town they live in, what day I met them at the conference and where. Then other notes such as which bands they work with, and then a few snippets of our conversations as a reminder.

This spreadsheet has been invaluable to me but when you’re in the middle of a conference with hundreds of people around you, it isn’t always going to save you. I sat in front of it this morning trying to remember the dozens of conversations I had yesterday and all of the new people I met from around the world. It’s certainly a workout for the brain and body being here. I’ve heard many people joke about the number of ‘steps’ they’ve got in already, but I’m taking things relatively steady this year. This means missing out on tons of acts I really wanted to see yesterday, but I caught my fair share still.

I spent most of the day in Old No. 7 watching The Larynx Entertainment and Tan Cerdd showcases. Everybody represented incredibly well but Luvly at the end was my highlight. I’ve only ever seen him pop up a couple of times back in Cardiff but the Nigerian born, London raised artist has a unique style that brings in a number of influences from Fela Kuti to Anderson Pak. With just keys for accompaniment, his rap-sing style pours out of his mouth like milk with cascading rhythms that really catch the ear.

I finally managed to catch Fat Dog after missing them so many times. They were definitely worth the wait and sounded more Brixton than ever, though my highlights were Kimmortal - a queer Filipino-Canadian rapper from Vancouver, and Dynesti, a half Jamaican and half Trini artist, also from Canada, who mixed up rnb, neo soul, hip hop, dancehall and gospel into a tight performance with her DJ, Chanl Marshl. They’re playing on our takeover at Penny Black later and I couldn’t be more excited for that now.

Another great rapper from Spain called Kawak had a crisp early 2000s hip hop feel to his music, Sage Todz was on point with his new live band and I caught a little bit of Papaya Noon who have just been signed to First Word Records. I also saw a couple of crazy uncategorisable bands from Montreal called Hawa B and Boutique Feelings that were definitely an experience.

The folk and roots selection at FOCUS Wales is exceptional so I made sure I caught a little at least. Scottish harpist Esther Swift was stunning at the serene and glorious St Giles Church venue, and I saw esteemed Welsh fiddle players Angharad Jenkins and Patrick Rimes at the Trac Cymru showcase and Canadian banjo player Kaia Kater, who was on the same Misfit showcase as Kimmortal. She gave me my favourite quote of the day, “When life gives you demons make demonade”.

There was a really high standard all round and I haven’t even had a chance to tell you about the panels, the mixers and the speed meetings. It’s a lot to take in but honestly the only way to experience these things is to jump right in feet first. I’m always baffled by artists who just turn up, perform and then disappear. There are opportunities to learn, connect, feel and be inspired around every corner of this conference so why not make the most of it? I’m already looking forward to what today has in store.