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SOUND PROGRESSION
Supporting the next generation of Welsh music talent
Free music mentoring, artist development and performance opportunities for young people across Cardiff and South East Wales
Every young person deserves the chance to discover their potential through music
For many young people, making music is about much more than creating tracks, beats or songs. It’s a way to express themselves, build confidence, make connections and feel they belong.
Working in partnership with Cardiff Youth Service, we provide welcoming, inclusive spaces where young people can explore music at their own pace, supported by experienced music mentors. Whether they come to create, connect with others, build confidence or develop their talent, we meet young people where they are and help them take their next steps.
free studio sessions
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YOUNG PEOPLE
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Live Showcases
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Music Studios
COMMUNITY CENTRES
From First Session to Festival Stage
Everyone’s journey is different. Whether you’re making music for fun, building your confidence or developing your talent, there are opportunities to explore your creativity and discover where music could take you.
Find Your Sound
Join free weekly music sessions at one of our community hubs across Cardiff. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already making music, you’ll find a welcoming space to explore your creativity, meet new people, collaborate and build confidence at your own pace.
I enjoy doing music because I can express how I feel. – Ella
Bring Your Ideas to Life
Work alongside experienced musicians and producers to write songs, develop your skills and record original music. Whether you’re a singer, rapper, producer, DJ or band, we’ll help you refine your sound, build your confidence and bring your ideas to life.
All the staff are very friendly and inviting. I love coming to Grassroots; I never fail to have a good time! – JGuardz
Take to the Stage
As your music develops, selected artists may be invited to perform at our showcases, local venues and festivals. These opportunities provide valuable experience, helping emerging performers build confidence and develop their live skills.
We love playing gigs with Sound Progression—love the variety of music and the diversity of people. – Noon Wolf
Build Your Future
For emerging artists ready to go further, we provide artist development, industry mentoring and career development. We’ll help you release music, build your brand, grow your network, unlock new opportunities and navigate the music industry with confidence.
This is the most useful thing for my career so far. – Replay
Empowering
Young People
Developing self-confidence, resilience and skills through positive creative expression
INCLUSIVE
PROGRAMMES
Creating welcoming music opportunities for young people of all backgrounds and abilities
Music
Professionals
Delivered by a quality team of music experts with specialist knowledge and experience
Our Programmes
DIFFTONEZ
Free, inclusive music sessions
DiffTonez brings music-making into Cardiff Youth Service youth clubs across the city. Young people aged 11–19 can head into the studio, work with a music mentor and create music at their own pace — whether that’s recording a cover, writing a rap, trying music for the first time or developing their own sound.
Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, Cardiff Council, Garfield Weston Foundation and Arts Council of Wales.
GRASSROOTS
More choice. More ways to create.
Our central Cardiff hub is open daily for young people aged 14–25, with multiple studios and a wider choice of music mentors. Pre-book a free session to write, record, produce, DJ or develop your sound, whether you're working on individual tracks, recording with a full band, rehearsing or developing new material.
Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, Pears Foundation, Cardiff Youth Service and the Welsh Government.
INMOTION
Performance & artist development
As your music develops, selected artists are invited to perform at our showcases, local venues and festivals. These opportunities help emerging performers take to new stages, reach new audiences and perform in different settings, while building confidence, developing skills and gaining valuable experience.
Supported by the Ed Sheeran Foundation, Arts Council of Wales, Cardiff Music City Festival and various venues and festivals.
News
KAPTIN BARRETT JOINS SOUND PROGRESSION
Music industry professional, artist manager, DJ and broadcaster Kaptin Barrett has joined Sound Progression as part of our InMotion programme. Kaptin will work with emerging artists, providing mentoring, industry insight and practical support to help them develop their music, build their profile and navigate the industry. His extensive experience across the music sector will bring valuable new perspectives and connections to the programme.
SOUND PROGRESSION TAKES OVER BIG LOVE
Sound Progression featured strongly at Big Love Festival, presenting eight hours of non-stop emerging Welsh talent across two stages. Five bands performed on the Main Stage, followed by four DJs and four vocalists in the Groovy Tent, with performances from 12pm to 8pm. From bands and singer-songwriters to rap, electronic music and DJs, the day celebrated the diversity and quality of young artists coming through Sound Progression.
CELEBRATING WINDRUSH THROUGH MUSIC
Sound Progression celebrated Windrush at SouthernSUNdown, bringing together live music, culture and community while showcasing diverse young Welsh talent. Our wider programme includes artist and mentor interviews exploring experiences, influences and perspectives, while celebrating the legacy of the Windrush generation. Special thanks to the Windrush Elders, Race Council Cymru and Welsh Government for their support.
What's On
INMOTION AUTUMN 2026
Five Thursdays. Five venues. Emerging talent.
This autumn, InMotion takes over Cardiff with five free live music showcases across five city venues, bringing some of the exciting emerging talent coming through Sound Progression onto professional stages.
Running from 15 October to 12 November, each Thursday brings something different – from bands, indie and alternative music to R&B, grime, rap and DJs.
The season launches with InMotion Immersed at the University of South Wales on 15 October, delivered in partnership with University of South Wales as part of Cardiff Music City Festival. From there, we head to The Canopi, Porter’s and 6FT Under, before finishing the season at Clwb Ifor Bach.
FROM THE STUDIO TO THE STAGE
InMotion is Sound Progression’s live performance and artist development programme, creating opportunities for young and emerging musicians to take their music beyond the studio and perform in professional venues in front of live audiences.
The Autumn season forms part of InMotion2Industry, supporting artists to develop their live performance experience, build confidence, make industry connections and take the next steps in their music careers.
Across the five nights, audiences can discover original music from some of the new artists, bands, rappers, vocalists and DJs emerging from Cardiff and Wales.
FREE ENTRY • NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Just turn up, discover something new and support the next generation of Welsh music talent.
15 OCT – USW Atrium | Mixed Genres
22 OCT – The Canopi | MOBO
29 OCT – Porter’s | Alternative / Indie
5 NOV – 6FT Under | Grime, Rap & DJs
12 NOV – Clwb Ifor Bach | Bands
InMotion2Industry is supported by Arts Council of Wales and the Ed Sheeran Foundation.
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