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Filipino Violinist-Singer Muri Represents the Philippines at Focus Wales 2026 as the Country's Sole Act on the AXEAN Stage

 


Muri performs alongside artists from Malaysia and Indonesia, bringing Filipino neo-soul and

indie pop to one of Europe's leading international music showcase festivals


WREXHAM, WALES — 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.


About Muri

Muri (Muriel Gonzales) is a Filipino violinist and singer-songwriter based between Manila,

London, and Paris. A member of The Ransom Collective, she has evolved her work into a solo

career that fuses neo-soul, indie pop, and introspective lyricism. Her debut EP, 11ème, was

produced in France and released in September 2024. She has performed at SXSW Austin,

Bangkok Music City, AXEAN Music Festival Bali, and Fête de la Musique Paris, and has

received nominations at the Awit Awards and Wish Awards.


About Focus Wales

Focus Wales is an international multi-venue music showcase and BAFTA-qualifying film festival

held annually in Wrexham, North Wales. Now in its 16th year, the festival features 250+ artists

across 20 stages and welcomes over 22,000 attendees. It is supported by the Arts Council of

Wales, the Welsh Government, and the PRS Foundation's Talent Development Network, and

has been recognised as the Best Music Festival for Emerging Talent at the UK Festival Awards.


Connect with Muri

Instagram: @muri.music

Facebook: muri.music.page

TikTok: @muri.music

YouTube: Muri Music

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