PARCS are best defined by the title of their last EP, Dawnsio Trist, which translates to Sad Dancing. Dreamy vocals and cutting lyrics are contrasted by disco driven synth and four to the floor beats to leave you dancing and crying at the same time. Aforementioned EP, released through Rose Parade Recording Co, was cited by Circuit Sweet as “One of the most gripping releases of 2022”. The Newport based band have recently evolved from a two piece to four, incorporating more live elements to compliment the bedroom synth pop and drum machines that lie at the core. Keeping their process as local as possible, they are currently in the middle of recording their next release in a Newport Studio as well as in their spare room. As regulars on the South Wales gigging circuit, they are most proud of headlining a show as part of the BBC Radio 6 Music festival when it came to Cardiff in 2022.

Featured on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio Wales.
FFO – Japanese Breakfast, Jay Som, Porches

‘I Come Into This World’ is a theater piece delivered by students of Glyndwr University Wrexham.

“A woman watches the news, whilst outside a riot rages. A new mother knows that something is wrong, but who will listen? A young couple keep each other awake through the night, sharing energy saving tips, and telling stories. Somewhere, a cup is being washed, and someone is doing the laundry.

Based on the concept of The Human Library, this piece of new writing explores the world that we live in, through collected stories and experiences.

‘I Come into this World’ will be performed in the Pop-Up Theatre at Oriel Sycharth Gallery, at Glyndwr University Wrexham.

Creative Entrepreneur Dave Gray has conceived, originated and realised a unique series of artistic projects bridging business, local authority, education, and the charity sectors.

He established Rampant Dragon Ltd in 2005, setting up collaborative workspace The Foundry, and launching a series of art and music events across North Wales to highlight the skills and talents of creative practitioners.

In 2011 Dave founded social enterprise THIS Project, which has taken on a number of pop-up spaces, most notably Undegun. Undegun opened in July 2013 in a former retail space and has attracted over 180,000 visitors to a range of art exhibitions, performances, workshops and networking events.

Throughout the span of his career Dave has overseen the organisation of over 1000 events – from staging Drama Productions, Live Music and Spoken Word showcases, training and seminars, as well as large scale conferences.

Additionally, Dave is: a Director of Wrexham Sounds., which provide a base for the support and development of young musicians at professional teaching, rehearsal and recording facilities; a member the management team for FOCUS Wales – Music Festival and Music Industry Conference; an Associate Director of Sign Dance Collective International, supporting interactive, multi-lingual and sign language performances.

Jason ‘Dregz’ Camilleri is the Senior Producer for Creative Learning at Wales Millennium Centre responsible for the creation of Radio Platfform, and the Next Up MOBO music initiative, supporting emerging artists in the Welsh music scene. A musician in his own right, Jason aims to elevate the importance of industry support to our young and emerging artists.

Michael Charles Hilton
Chief Executive/Founder – CWRW

Development Executive, Music 32 Studios

Director of Beacons Cymru, a Wales-wide organisation supporting the next generation of young people aspiring to work in the music industry.

Empowering the next generation of the music industries in Wales with Beacons Cymru.

I’m a lecturer at the Department of Theatre, Film and TV Studies at Aberystwyth University, currently researching the past, present and future of the Welsh language music video.

Gruffydd Owen is the owner and label manager at Libertino. Libertino has grown extensively over the past 5 years since starting in April 2017 and now has a roster of over 25 artists who create and perform in both Welsh and the English language. Through Libertino Management Gruff also manages a large proportion of the acts on the label through their creative journey. Libertino is an all-encompassing home for its artists – booking agent/tour support, in house PR, artist management as well as creative support are all provided. He strongly believes that art should be inclusive and not exclusive creating a community from grass roots level. Libertino’s aim is to give artists a platform from which to fly and the knowledge of how to fly successfully.

Caroline Murphy is the co-founder of SoundBox Music, an artist services company based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, specializing in event publicity & marketing, tour management, label services and artist development. Caroline has an extensive background in Celtic/Folk music and went on to manage Irish traditional music group De Danann, which were one of the most influential bands in traditional Irish music history. From there, Caroline started her career in live events as a production coordinator for festivals such as the Volvo Ocean Race and Electric Picnic, and currently programmes ReJigged Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

After a recent move to Wales in 2022, Caroline is committed to supporting musicians and festivals on both sides of the Atlantic. Current clients include Watson Entertainment (Madison Violet/David Francey), Halifax Jazz Festival, Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, ReJigged Festival, Dave Gunning, Jimmy Rankin, Cerys Hafana, Quote the Raven, Rose Morrison, and more.

Bryn has been working as a broadcaster for over 30 years, with the BBC, Sky and now as a freelancer with various media outlets. He spent over 15 years covering the Wales’ national football team, a Labour of love for someone brought up in Wrexham.
A lifetime love of music led Bryn to set up a promotion a company based in Leeds, Oddjob Promotions went on to showcase a number of Welsh bands in the city for the first time.
A lifelong Wrexham supporter, Bryn is still celebrating this season’s promotion and loving the positive impact Focus and football are having on his town/city.

Wrestler’s daughter, Tara Bandito, is a bilingual Welsh Alt Pop artist, based in Cardiff. She released her debut self-titled album, ‘Tara Bandito’, on Côsh Records in January 2023.
Having played her second ever gig at FOCUS Wales 2022, she has sinced played 16 gigs, and has been hailed by BBC Introducing DJ Bethan Elfyn as “a formidable live artist” making it on to her Top 5 Artists Of 2022.

🗓️ Catch her at FOCUS Wales 2023 ~ The Rockin’ Chair, Friday 5 May, 21:15.

Founder & Events Producer – Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA) http://officialsama.com @officialsama
Co-Founder at Pitch – Scotland’s conference of hip hop & underground culture. http://pitchscotland.com @pitchscotland

About SAMA:
The Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA) recognises the best new Scottish music, shining a spotlight across an eclectic range of contemporary music genres. Throughout the year, SAMA also host key events including a two-day music festival in Paisley, Scottish Showcase at Liverpool Sound City, plus host PITCH – Scotland’s conference of hip hop and underground culture. Now in it’s 14th year, the SAMAs have supported a range of award winning artists including Bemz, Taahliah, Kintra, Callum Easter, Lizzie Reid, The Snuts, Gerry Cinnamon, Fatherson and Lewis Capaldi. The 2023 SAMA ceremony is set to take place in December in Glasgow.

http://officialsama.com @officialsama

About Pitch:
Pitch is Scotland’s conference of hip hop and underground culture. The two-day conference and international showcase takes place in multiple venues across Glasgow’s east end.

Pitch Scotland aims to forge new networks across genres and disciplines, celebrate the culture and diversity of voices reflecting contemporary Scotland. Pitch also present international rap showcases at New Skool Rules NL, Future Echoes SE, and FOCUS Wales.

http://pitchscotland.com @pitchscotland

Radio Presenter on BBC Radio Wales, Cymru, 6 Music and Radio 4

Frontman of South Wales’ rock band ‘James and The Cold Gun’

Pleasure Island – Post Punk Band
Penny Lane Weekender – Liverpool Micro Festival
Seanykins LTD – Chemical Construction Contracts

Deputy Artistic Director for Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru with responsibility for programming and booking across numerous stages at the Festival.

Elen is Organiser & Artistic Director of the National Eisteddfod of Wales, an eight day Welsh language annual summer Festival celebrating the country’s cultural wealth across the arts – a competition-based travelling festival with around 28 stages of performances and exhibitions, with over 250 tradestands and attracting 170,000 visitors each year, with a two year community programme leading up to each Festival. Elen is responsible for the artistic programme with the support of her team, including the organisation and programming of the competitions. She is also responsible for guiding and supporting the work of the numerous volunteers involved with the planning.

Creative Director at Galeri Caernarfon, a mixed arts venue in north-west Wales.

Cyfarwyddwr Creadigol Galeri Caernarfon, canolfan mentrau creadigol yng ngogledd-orllewin Cymru.

Deborah Keyser is Director of Tŷ Cerdd, Music Centre Wales. Tŷ Cerdd promotes and celebrates Welsh music, and works to enable music-creators of all genres and backgrounds to develop careers: a range of creative- and skill-development initiatives sit alongside a recording studio, record label, publishing imprint and archive. Tŷ Cerdd is proud to partner with FOCUS Wales and Trac Cymru on #WelshMusicAbroad, creating opportunities for artists and industry to engage with music markets across the globe.

Join Jimmy from the now world famous Running Punks each day for a run like no other!

11am and 1:30pm each day, meeting at the High Street entrance of the Wynnstay Arms Hotel! Get your trainers on!

David Julyan is a film composer know for his atmospheric scores combining orchestra and subtle electronics. Amougst his best know works are “Memento” and “The Prestige for Christopher Nolan, along with horror films like “The Descent” and “The Cabin in the Woods”. He will be solo album of non film music this autumn.

Sarah Coxson works as lead booking agent for UK music agency and events company ABM, and as artistic advisor for other ABM projects including Artistic Associates role at Kings Place, London. She has worked in the folk/trad music field for the past three decades, primarily as a freelance live booking agent, music journalist (Deputy Editor of fRoots magazine), music copywriter and PR. She also works on other freelance projects, including a former role as WOMEX showcase juror. Sarah is the booking agent for Cerys Hafana in the UK.

Cath Hurley is Head of Skills and Development at new Birkenhead music venue, FUTURE YARD. As part of this role, she is the project lead of two major components of FUTURE YARD’s activity; an industry skills programme called SOUND CHECK that provides an entry level route for local young people in to careers in the live music industry, alongside PROPELLER. Cath is committed to ensuring that FUTURE YARD is a true community venue and fulfils the needs of those that need it the most.

Cath runs MOSTDEFFO, a management company that works with three emerging acts. Cath has worked on artist development and mentorship schemes for the past few years and tries to be a positive and supportive voice in the music community. Cath taught music business at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts for 5 years and is a member of the Liverpool City Region Music Board, which was formed to support the music sector in her local region.

In 2022, Cath was invited to join the Brit Awards Voting Academy and also visited Texas for the first time as a speaker at SXSW. She is also a regular assessor of PRS Foundation’s Momentum Fund amongst others.

Previous to this, Cath was product manager at Rough Trade Records and worked on the debut album releases of both SOAK and Girl Band, amongst others. For a number of years before this, Cath specialised in online PR, digital marketing and social media management working with brand new acts through to well-known pop stars.

I’m the Regional Organiser for the Musicians’ Union (MU) in Wales and South West England, based in Cardiff. The MU represents over 33,000 musicians working in all sectors of the UK music business with support including advice, tailored benefits and services, and campaigns.

Seren joined Trac Cymru in 2022, as a marketing and communications officer. Her role is to keep our social media platforms up to date with any events, announcements, general promotion and marketing, as well creating promotional and communications content.

Before joining the organisation Seren graduated from The University of South Wales in Fashion Promotion, and went on to gain experience in several roles that included social media marketing, content creation and design.

Seren has a huge love for Welsh folk and traditional music and has been involved in the folk scene for most of her life due to her parents being Welsh musicians. She loves to attend folk gigs and festivals, and has done from a young age.

Although Seren isn’t a performer or musician herself at the moment she does love to sing, and has performed Welsh folk songs in public venues in the past.

Skunkadelic is the moniker of Cardiff based Tumi Williams, a trailblazing emcee, artist and educator making giant strides in the UK hip hop scene today. His erudite lyrics and signature rich baritone can be heard across his solo work ‘Musically Drifting’, ‘No Time’ and as a collaborator with the likes of The Allergies, Ty, Stagga, Magugu, Mazbou Q, Mr Woodnote and Band Pres Llareggub. He also fronts the nine piece Welsh afro-funk collective Afro Cluster who are currently working on their eagerly anticipated second album following 2021’s celebrated debut ‘The Reach’. Skunkadelic’s multi-genre aesthetic is always refreshing, taking inspiration from the cerebral sensibilities of jazz rap (ATCQ, The Roots, Guru, The Pharcyde, De La Soul) and blending it with the invigorating sounds of his ancestral Nigeria (Fela Kuti, Tony Allen) culminating in an authentic voice empowered by generations of diverse music.

When ‘The Reach’ arrived in 2021 it was met with rave reviews and national airplay from the likes of BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music as well as a great international reaction including praise from Chuck D on his hip hop radio show. Afro Cluster have benefited from many great opportunities since and Skunkadelic continues to write and tour the UK extensively with the group, particularly on the festival circuit with Glastonbury, Womad, SXSW, National Eisteddfod, Greenman, Shambala and Boomtown remembered as stand out moments on their journey. Skunkadelic’s solo output has recently seen the beginning of a new project with Cardiff based producer Mesijo releasing ‘No Time’ in 2021, a catchy exploration of afrobeat, rap and electronica. He has also taken a very outside-the-box approach with another exciting creative endeavour combining his love of hip hop with what might ordinarily be considered a peculiar form: opera! ‘House of Jollof’ commissioned by Music Theatre Wales and Fio is an imaginative amalgamation of opera, afrobeat, hip hop and live cooking which is presented as a mini pop-up theatre show. On its first national tour it has been very well received and harnesses the talent of multiple actors, musicians, directors, chefs and producers to bring its story to life. This prolific body of work has seen Skunkadelic be selected for the PRSF ‘Power Up’ programme; an initiative supporting black music creators and professionals in the field as they navigate the arts sector. It aims to break down barriers and foster meaningful change in an unbalanced and unfair industry that has needed it for some time!

A Montreal native, Fernie is inspired by mutually soulful artists such as Frank Ocean and Daniel Caesar. His jubilant Brazilian-Canadian ethnicity shines through his vulnerable lyrics and powerful melodies. As you experience his enchanting musical offerings, there is an evident juxtaposition within his genre shifts. His music provides an inclusiveness as well as a subtle 90’s melancholy nuance. His unique, eclectic sound continues to grow with every consecutive project.

Kitt Carr is Event Coordinator for Scotland’s Music Convention and Showcase Wide Days, which was founded in 2010 and takes place in Edinburgh each April/May and Project Coordinator for youth focused annual music conference Off The Record.

Megan Lloyd is the Company Manager of Trac Cymru – a Folk development charity for Wales. She is a passionate muso, lover of folk and Celtic traditions. As an avid writer of poetry, she also works on many collaborative projects from her home in Eryri.