Filipino violinist and singer-songwriter Muri (Muriel Gonzales) made her Focus Wales debut on May 16, 2026, performing on the festival’s AXEAN Stage as the sole representative of the Philippines. Joining artists from Malaysia and Indonesia on the AXEAN showcase — a curated spotlight on Southeast Asian music within the festival — Muri brought her signature blend of violin swells, neo-soul vocals, and introspective songwriting to the stages of Wrexham, North Wales.
Now in its 16th edition, Focus Wales is one of the world’s leading international music showcase festivals, welcoming over 22,000 attendees and featuring 250+ artists across 20 stages. Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, the Welsh Government, and the PRS Foundation, it is consistently recognised as one of the most important launching pads for emerging international talent in the UK and Europe — having previously earned the Best Music Festival for Emerging Talent award at the UK Festival Awards.
The AXEAN Stage appearance marks the latest milestone in an expanding global run for Muri, who has spent the past year building a presence on the international circuit. In early 2025, she performed at SXSW Austin as the Philippines’ sole representative — a debut that drew coverage from Mega Magazine, Billboard Philippines, and others. This was followed by performances at Bangkok Music City 2025 in Thailand, where she was one of the Philippine acts on the bill.
“It makes me proud to be representing the Philippines on such a global stage, along with representation from the rest of South East Asia. It’s not often we come together as a united front from the region, but that’s the beauty of it – bringing people together through music and showcasing what SEA has to offer to the world”, said Muri.
A member of Manila’s beloved indie folk group The Ransom Collective, Muri has forged a parallel solo career built around the interplay of her voice and violin. Her single “Letters” earned nominations for Wishclusive Contemporary R&B Performance of the Year at the Wish Awards 2022, and Favorite Female Artist at the 35th Awit Awards — the Philippines’ answer to the Grammys. Her collaboration with producer LUSTBASS on a remix of her track “Thunder” received a Best Remix Recording nomination at the 36th Awit Awards.
With a growing fanbase and milestones in Asia, Europe, and the UK — Muri is steadily building the kind of global profile that few Filipino independent artists have achieved. Her Focus Wales appearance adds another significant marker to that journey, planting the Philippine flag firmly in the European music conversation.
