Day 1

With the major financial support of the Wales Arts Council, Focus Wales 2012 proved to be a worthwile showcase for new Welsh talent as well as encouraging acts to attend from as far away as Australia and Japan. With just four venues situated very close to each other and a user-friendly timetable, Focus Wales also proved to be eminently practical for those who wanted to see as much as possible over the three days. For those seeking knowledge and know-how seminars took place each day featuring heavies from the music industry.

My own visit started at The Royal Oak pub on Thursday afternoon to witness a performance by a young Cardiff singer/songwriter whose debut album impressed me. Joshua Caole proved to have a fine, edgy voice as he sang songs from his second album, MOON PALACE, due to be released in just a few days. Joshua had to dash off for support slots to Christian Webb (along with his band) but before he left he gave me a copy of his latest album. In preparation for a Focus Wales ’special’ radio show I picked out no less than five songs to play from the album which is quite rare for me. You need to check out the man and the album…

Next up was Leo’s Hide. The band started with Joseph Leo in 2008 in search of a solo acoustic career. After supporting some great acts including Emmy The Great among others, Joseph felt a change was needed, and a bigger sound had to happen. He then found the boys. A great array of different musical backgrounds has given Leo’s Hide their own unique sound, and always with positive reactions from live audiences. Today’s acoustic set was short, sharp and attractive from this new north Wales band.