Today we are delighted to announce that em koko and Otto Aday will perform on GIITTV‘s stages at this year’s Focus Wales in Wrexham this May. We’re thrilled to be hosting two emerging Welsh artists of such potential scope and ambition.
The accomplished em koko found her footing in Abergavenny and played bass and synth for leading South Wales musicians Alice Low and Minas. Her early releases have the artist putting that bass and synth expertise right at the fore. Koko’s delivery is dissonantly cool and burns with emotive introspection, yet ripples with strength, command and self-discovery. Redolent of early Cocteau Twins shimmering against elements of industrial shoegaze and mysterious dream pop that conjures up the work of Warpaint or DIVV.
em koko will play at The Parish on Thursday 8 May at 9:15pm.
Otto Aday is a charismatic talent, specialising in melodic pop with layers of psychedelia and delicious hints of nostalgia. On debut album Persona recorded in Nashville, he worked with Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, and the video for his single ‘Dancing Round The Morning Sun’ last year won the Focus’s BAFTA-accredited Best Welsh Music Video.
‘It’s an honour to play for God Is In The TV at FOCUS Wales this year, not only do they propel artists’ voices but also give them a stage, big big love,’ he says. ‘I’m honestly buzzed to play this year, I’ve got a new live line up, new songs, it all feels bigger yet it’s still so close to my heart and I can’t wait for you to hear & see it.’
Otto Aday will play at Ty Pawb Flexible Space room on Saturday 10 May at 8:55pm
As well as announcing our acts today, Focus Wales have also added 72 acts for its anticipated 15th edition 15th edition, set to take place 8 to10 May 2025.
Among the newly announced acts are The Wytches, known for their raw energy and dark, evocative themes. Over a decade since their explosive debut, Annabel Dream Reader, they continue to push creative boundaries. Their fourth album, Our Guest Can’t Be Named, released via Alcopop! Records, highlights both their evolution and enduring presence.
Fresh from a critically acclaimed ESNS performance, The Family Battenberg joins the lineup, bringing a distinctive blend of 70s rock-infused guitar riffs, driving Motorik rhythms and playful lyrical storytelling. Another ESNS standout, Lisbon’s MAQUINA, has built a formidable reputation in Portugal’s underground scene with their all-organic, improvisation-driven sound, known for blistering live shows packed with pounding rhythms, gritty basslines and searing guitar.
Sydney-based artist Jess Holt, known as total tommy, made a bold entrance into the UK music scene with her 2024 debut album Bruises, delivering a dynamic indie grunge sound reminiscent of early Garbage and Courtney Barnett. Meanwhile, Bronx-born artist and BMI songwriter JoethePoet brings deeply personal storytelling to the stage, weaving raw, heartfelt hip-hop narratives that reflect his journey of resilience, faith and self-discovery.
The announcement also highlights an array of exciting Welsh talent. FOCUS Wales alumna Eädyth returns with her bilingual electro-soul sound, blending ethereal vocals with elements of electronica, drum and bass and atmospheric production that has earned her regular airplay on BBC Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. Also returning to Wrexham is Bethan Lloyd set to enchant audiences with her forthcoming LP, showcasing trance-inducing vocals layered over sublime strings and harmonic textures. Fusing her classical training with Berlin’s experimental music scene and pagan teachings, her performances promise a unique improvisational experience.
Another remarkable Welsh artist is Martha O’Brien, a Cardiff-based singer-songwriter, writer and researcher whose hauntingly beautiful voice and evocative lyricism leave a lasting impression. Co-founder of nawr magazine, which showcases Welsh and Wales-based creatives, she released her debut EP Caution, Horses! last year.
True to its roots, FOCUS Wales remains deeply connected to its local community and committed to fostering grassroots creativity. This year’s lineup proudly features a collection of community choirs, each highlighting the transformative power of participatory arts — especially for marginalised and vulnerable groups. These choirs embody the festival’s ethos of inclusivity and the belief that music can be a force for connection and healing.
The Wrexham One Love Choir is a positive initiative that supports homeless people in the area through music. The Signing Sensations BSL Choir provides a space for children with support needs, facilitated by the Dynamic Wrexham organisation. Choirs for Good Wrexham is part of a Wales-wide initiative developed to rebuild confidence and mental health in the wake of the pandemic. Cor DAW offers Welsh learners a chance to celebrate language and culture through song. Meanwhile, the Delta Ladies Choir, an extension of the Delta Academy Performing Arts organisation, provides women with a safe, encouraging space to explore music and build connections. Wrexham All Voices is an inclusive community choir that celebrates unity through songs of peace, old favourites, and music from diverse cultures in both English and Welsh.
As FOCUS Wales celebrates its 15th edition, the festival continues to serve as a vibrant platform for both established and emerging artists, amplifying voices from across Wales and around the world. With a diverse lineup spanning genres and generations, and a heartfelt commitment to community and creativity, this year’s festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music’s power to unite and inspire.
FOCUS Wales is supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government and PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Network.
For more information and tickets, visit www.focuswales.com.
