Welsh Bands to Play Festival in Montréal, Canada

FOCUS Wales are showcasing 2 artists from Wales, Montréal, Quebec and Canada this November at the M Pour Montréal festival! The artists selected to showcase in Canada are Carmarthen’s, Adwaith, and Cardiff’s Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard. This trip has been made possible with the help of Wales Arts International and PRS Foundation who are working together with FOCUS Wales to support Wales-based artists to undertake international visits, aimed at the development of international work outside of the UK.

M for Montreal is a music conference and festival taking place every November and showcasing around 100 local and international buzz-worthy and breakout bands in over 15 venues across Montreal. Top music industry professionals mingle with fans and artists at one of the most vibrant music events of the season. Every year, over 200 movers and shakers, industry heavyweights, music aficionados and tastemakers from over 15 countries descend in Montreal for 4 days.

Adwaith are a post- punk band from Carmarthen, West Wales. The release of their debut single ‘Pwysau’ at the end of 2016 heralded a new brave and exciting chapter for Welsh music. More recently Adwaith toured the UK with Gwenno in October and in February 2019 toured as main support for The Joy Formidable on their AAARTH tour. Amongst this activity, Adwaith released its debut album ‘Melyn’, which has received critical acclaim from BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 6 and Amazing Radio.

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard started as a studio project by Tibet bassist and multi-instrumentalist Tom Rees. After being particularly inspired by Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky”, Tom had the idea to dedicate a project entirely to the sound of mid-70’s rock records. With an expansive sound mirroring their intent, their collection of tracks explores weighty concepts of time, money, politics and vanity.

Both bands caught the eye of M for Montreal’s music booker during their performances at international showcase festival FOCUS Wales in Wrexham, May 2019. For more information on international opportunities with FOCUS Wales visit www.focuswales.com/international

Performer applications for FOCUS Wales 2020 are now open to artists worldwide via www.focuswales.com
The first 50 acts for FOCUS Wales 2020 will be selected this October, so artists hoping to showcase at the festival are encouraged to submit their applications early.

FOCUS Wales 2020 takes place 7th, 8th, 9th May across various venues in Wrexham, North Wales. Full 3-day wristbands for admission to all FOCUS Wales events are available now at www.focuswales.com/tickets FOCUS Wales is supported by Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government