疫情席捲全球，以網上活動暫代實體活動已是大勢所趨。每年夏季在威爾斯舉辦的FOCUS Wales，今年本邀請了逾250個音樂單位，在20個舞台上展演，惜肺炎嚴重，無奈延期一年。沒音樂毋寧死，與其坐以待斃，不如另覓出路，FOCUS Wales選擇在網上舉辦原定的音樂研討會，場場精彩，搶耳為你精選四場講題，多認識產業趨勢，做個高級樂迷！

While the pandemic hits the entire world and most of the events have to come to a halt, going online is the attempt for the long-standing international showcase festival FOCUS Wales. Every year in Wrexham, Wales, the event hosts more than 250 bands from across the globe with 20 stages, alongside a packed schedule of arts events, film screenings and industry sessions.

This year, FOCUS Wales moves the series of functions online and “Out of FOCUS”, a brand-new virtual showcase featuring panel talks and keynote sessions, is brought to the stage. For all of us who are stuck at home, joining their first digital conference would be a great choice to stay in connection with the industry. Ear Up Music has pinpointed a few remarkable session for you:

Tue 22 Sept 2020 4-4:45pm GMT+1 - Keynote by Dave Stewart

As a historic icon in the British music industry, this keynote ‘Exploring music collaboration in the age of the internet’ is something you must not miss. Besides co-founding the legendary pop duo Eurythmics in the 80s, Dave has won multiple awards such as the Grammys, the Golden Globes and eventually the Outstanding Contribution to Music award in the BRITS for the duo, which was revolutionary both visually and lyrically. As the winner of soundtrack awards, Dave is exploring remote songwriting collaboration and recording with Trackd and Otto.

Thur 24 Sept 2020 6pm GMT+1 - Sync

Dan Koplowitz of Friendly Fire Licensing is bringing to you knowledge on syncing your music as an independent label. Managing all your connections and sync with people one by one is not easy, but here you will get somewhere to start from.

Tue 22 Sept 2020 2:30-3:30pm GMT+1 - Building your Strategy Part 2: Digital Platforms

Virtual spaces are going vital. More than ever, you need to have an up-to-the-minute knowledge and command of the latest online platforms available and how to get the most out of them; otherwise, opportunities are slipping away just in a snap.

Mon 21 Sept 2020 5-5:45pm GMT+1 - AIM & Music Declares Emergency

Market matters. AIM, a not-for-profit trade body exclusively representing the UK’s independent music sector, which makes up a quarter of the recorded music market is in conversation with Music Declares Emergency, a group of music industry professionals who declare a climate and ecological emergency and call for immediate governmental response. How could music interfere with society, and ecology, while the market is still in the range of interests? Join them and see what happens next.

https://www.focuswales.com/outoffocus/

Monday 21 September 2020

MU Presentation

Discover what the Musician’s Union are currently offering in terms of support (financial and advice), lobbying, and also what other support is available for musicians right now.

12pm – 12:45pm
Building your strategy Part 1 – Planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

What are the options for planning and developing an artist’s career path under the current circumstances?

2:30pm – 3:30pm
Keynote – Gareth Evans Q + A

Youtuber and the founder of Goliath Guitar Tutorials – a youtube channel with in excess of 750,000 subscribers – Gareth will explain how he managed to turn his skill as a musician into a global, online business.

4pm – 4:45pm
AIM & Music Declares Emergency

Join AIM and Music Declares Emergency for a conversation around climate and ecological emergency, and call for an immediate governmental response to protect all life on Earth. Special guests TBA.

5:00pm – 5:45pm
DIRECT INPUT – Stealing Sheep in Conversation

Direct Input is a Future Yard webinar series which looks to lift the lid on the techniques and tactics utilised by the teams behind a range of today’s most successful artists. Becky Hawley joins us for this webinar Q&A, to talk about her career experiences with her band Stealing Sheep.

6pm – 7pm

Tuesday 22 September 2020

Music Media – The future of music media

Our expert panel will discuss the challenges, currently facing music media and how the future will look.

1pm – 1:45pm
Building your strategy Part 2 – Digital

Platforms: What’s New and how to make the most of them. More than ever, it is vital for artists to have an up to the minute knowledge and command of the latest online platforms available and how to get the most out of them.

2:30pm – 3:30pm
Keynote – Dave Stewart

World renowned artist, writer and producer and founder of Eurythmics: Dave Stewart and Trackd discuss Remote Music Collaboration. Theme: Exploring music collaboration in the age of the internet. A keynote exploring tools for remote songwriting collaboration and recording.

4pm – 4:45pm
Parenting and Music

Discussing the ways in which musicians balance parenting with their careers, and how lockdown has affected this balance.

5pm – 6pm

Wednesday 23 September 2020

Funding Clinic

The latest information on what funding and support is available for music creators and the wider music industry in Wales.

1pm – 1:45pm
Mental Health Check-in

Music Mind’s Matter lead an informal group chat checking in on our mental health, and sharing tips and advice.

2:30pm – 3:30pm
Keynote – Henca Maduro Q&A

The founder of ‘New Skool Rules’ the international Hip Hop and r&b showcase in Rotterdam. Henca will talk about her life and career with Ffion Wyn (ladies of Rage)

4pm – 4:45pm
PRS & PPL

Find out how to make money from writing and performing music from the UK’s collection societies PPL and PRS for Music. Plus, a chance to quiz our experts.

5pm – 6pm

Thursday 24 September 2020

HMUK Presentation

How can Help Musicians help me?
Find out about all the ways the charity Help Musicians can support musicians in their career, through health and welfare, creative career development and building confident business skills. Help Musicians offers a lifetime of support when it’s needed the most.

1pm – 1:45pm
A Working Live Sector – Road to recovery

How has the live sector responded, not just to Covid 19 but also to the problems it faced before and how will we shape it, going forward?

2:30pm – 3:30pm
Going worldwide on the web

Exploring what effect Brexit and the Pandemic may have on exporting music?

4pm – 4:45pm
Sync

In conversation with Dan Koplowitz of Friendly Fire Licensing, USA. All you need to know about starting to sync your music.

6pm

Friday 25 September 2020

Music & Race in Wales

Privilege Café Sgwrs #5 – @ Out of Focus. Tŷ Cerdd in collaboration with Privilege Café discuss ‘How can we effect change through talent development?’

12:30pm – 2:05pm
Rehearsing, Recording, and Going Live

Discussing the current standard practices across studio and rehearsal spaces in Wales, and the importance of capturing live performances.

2:30pm – 3:30pm
Showcasing Online

FOCUS Wales, The Great Escape, Sound City, and Wide Days discuss how artists can make the most out of showcase festivals both online and offline.

5pm – 6pm