FOCUS Wales are showcasing two artists from Wales in Asia this autumn at LUCFest in Taiwan and Zandari Festa in Korea.

The artists selected to showcase in Asia are Bethesda based 9Bach, and Powys based band Islet. 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.

Zandari Festa is the primary new music industry showcase event in Seoul, South Korea, attracting major music industry reps from across the globe. The event is held in the amazing city of Seoul, in South Korea, over 26th-29th September 2019. This three-day event is comprised of a music conference, and a 4-night multi-genre music festival, taking place across multiple venues throughout the city.

Islet are a Powys trio whose free-spirited invention and exuberant intensity flows through experimental pop: hypnotic, exhilarating and defiantly unique. The band have recently signed to Fire Records and have just finished recording their 3rd studio album.

LUCfest is the primary new music industry showcase event in Taiwan, attracting music industry reps from across the globe. The event is held in the beautiful city of Tainan, in the south of Taiwan, over 8th-10th November 2019. This three-day event is comprised of a music conference, and a 3-night multi-genre music festival, taking place across multiple venues throughout the city.

9Bach’s music is an atmospheric, evocative, and emotional hybrid of the Welsh folk tradition, and of contemporary influences and working practices. The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards winners have recently completed a series of work and live shows for PRS Foundation’s New Music Biennial, working with actor Maxine Peak and Portishead’s Andy Gangadeen.

Both bands caught the eye of the respective festival’s music bookers during their performances at FOCUS Wales 2019. For more information on international opportunities with FOCUS Wales visit www.focuswales.com/international