First panels and keynote announced for FOCUS Wales Conference 2023

06 April 2023, 13:12 | Written by Tyler Damara Kelly

(News)

(FOCUS Wales)

FOCUS Wales is a music industry event with three days of panels, keynote talks, and industry advice. The festival will see over 400 music industry professionals, and 250+ acts descend upon Wrexham from around the world.

The festival keynote session has been announced today as Gerald Simpson (A Guy Called Gerald) in conversation with Aleighcia Scott (BBC Radio Wales). Gerald will discuss his career in music, from growing up in Manchester, being a founding member of electronic group 808 State, and producing records for over 25 years.

FOCUS Wales conference panels include The Future of the European Festival Market chaired by AAA, Equality and Class Parity in Music, The Use of Music on Screen hosted by PRS for Music, and Creator to Fan: How are artists reaching audiences with their recorded music in 2023 and how has this changed? presented by PPL. POWER UP Wales will also be hosting a black music action group roundtable

Some of the speakers who have been announced are: Cindy Castillo (Mad Cool Festival, Spain), Dev Sherlock (SXSW), Emma Zillmann (Live Nation), Joy Warmann (Secretly Group), John Kennedy (Radio X) and Lauren Down (End of The Road Festival). The full list can be found here.

FOCUS Wales takes place 4-6 May in Wrexham, North Wales. Full three day wristbands which allow access to all events are available now.