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SOUND PROGRESSION

Creating inspiring opportunities for young people within music

Empowering
Young People

Developing self-confidence, resilience and skills through positive creative expression

INCLUSIVE
PROGRAMMES

Offering a diverse range of music projects to support all abilities and backgrounds

Industry
Professionals

Delivered by a quality team of music experts with specialist knowledge and experience

About Us

Sound Progression is a Cardiff based organisation dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people, particularly those aged 10-25 years and from diverse and/or socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

We promote positive expression, empowerment and confidence building through participant-led music projects and training programmes. Our provision supports a range of abilities and experiences from aspiring singers, songwriters, rappers and bands to music engineers and producers, and those simply wishing to explore their creativity through music.

Our bespoke and tailored programmes are supported through a partnership with Cardiff Youth Service and delivered in well-equipped music studios at youth and community centres across Cardiff. These include North Ely Youth Centre, St Mellons Hub, East Moors Youth Centre, Butetown Pavilion, Llanrumney Youth Club, Powerhouse Llanedeyrn and at the city centre project Grassroots.

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What We Offer

News

Music Icon Ed Sheeran boosts local youth music education with a surprise visit to launch his new foundation

Ed Sheeran surprised young people from four Cardiff-based organisations when he made a whirlwind tour of the city to launch his new foundation, stopping off at Fitzalan High School, Eastmoors Youth Centre in Splott, and the city-centre youth project Grassroots on 9th January 2025.

Accompanied by his longtime songwriting partner and Aloud Ambassador, Wales-based Amy Wadge and leaving a trail of inspiration and excitement in his wake, Ed kicked off the surprise tour with a special guest appearance during Fitzalan High School’s assembly. The event featured performances by pupils and Only Boys Aloud who have previously worked with the school and Amy during a song writing project in 2020.

The visit culminated in a show-stopping moment when Ed performed two songs on stage and gave the chance for pupils to ask him questions during a lively Q&A session.

From there, Ed and Amy headed to Eastmoors Youth Centre, where they met with MOL Education music students, an alternative provision of informal music and media opportunities for young people who have moved away from mainstream education.

Ed sat down with staff from the project and discussed the barriers young people face when trying to engage with music education before walking in on 35 astonished young people and joining them in a jam. He was also treated to standout performances from young local talents, including Jessika Kay And Kors.

One MOL student, Ryan from Splott said “I can’t believe it. That’s really Ed Sheeran in Eastmoors. I’m going to be telling my grandkids about this when I’m older”

The tour’s final stop was Cardiff Youth Service’s Grassroots project, where they connected with team members and participants of Sound Progression, a local youth music charity working in partnership with Cardiff Youth Service who provide free music education across the city. Ed and Amy were given a guided tour of the various music studios and spaces and treated to impromptu performances featuring 15 talented young musicians.

Sound Progression’s founder Paul Lyons said “As each door was opened Ed was greeted by surprised young people who were busy creating music and weren’t expecting to see him. The shock on their faces was gold dust”.

One participant shared their excitement: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw Ed walk in. Having someone like him take the time to hear us perform was incredible.”

The visit marked the official launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, a UK-wide initiative committed to addressing inequalities in music education by supporting state schools and grassroots music organisations, particularly in underserved areas and designed to support youth music education across the UK through grant-making, raising awareness, and fostering collaborations.

Speaking about the foundation, Ed said: “Music education has shaped who I am. I’ve always enjoyed playing music, and it’s led to some of the best moments of my life” The Ed Sheeran Foundation is about breaking down barriers and opening doors to creativity.”

As part of the foundation’s first wave of grants, four Cardiff-based organisations received funding. Beneficiaries include the Aloud Charity, Fitzalan High School, and MOL Education, with a significant multi-year grant awarded to Sound Progression.

Carole Blade, Company Manager of Sound Progression, expressed her gratitude: “We are thrilled to be the principal Welsh partner of the Ed Sheeran Foundation. Their support will allow us to expand our city-centre open-access provision to include weekend sessions at Grassroots and further develop our regarded performance programme. Securing three years of funding not only provides stability but also enables us to plan and grow our offerings in collaboration with the wider music sector beyond Wales.”

Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty, Equality and Supporting Young People, Cllr Peter Bradbury said: “Ed is a music icon and his surprise visit and the foundation’s launch will leave a legacy in Cardiff, providing the city’s young people and the local youth music scene with inspiration for a bright musical future.”

The Ed Sheeran Foundation is a UK-wide initiative committed to addressing inequalities in music education by supporting state schools and grassroots music organisations, particularly in underserved areas. Launched with the mission of promoting inclusivity and high-quality music education, the foundation has already partnered with 18 organisations and schools, positively impacting 12,000 children and young people. Through providing access to instruments, creating performance opportunities, and opening pathways into the music industry, the foundation ensures that every young person has the chance to explore their potential through music. Additionally, the foundation advocates for systemic changes, including greater recognition of music’s transformative power and the vital role of music educators in shaping young lives.

https://edsheeranfoundation.com/

What's On

IMMERSED FESTIVAL 2025

Sound Progression Returns to Immersed Festival with Explosive Lineup and New Afrobeat Collective

Now in its 4th year, Sound Progression’s Metro District Takeover is set to light up the Metro District Stage once again at this year’s Immersed Festival, taking place on Saturday, 22nd March at Tramshed, Cardiff. From 3pm to 8pm, the stage will come alive with a jam-packed, eclectic mix of 15 acts, featuring some of the most exciting young talents from across Cardiff and surrounding areas.

Known for championing original music and grassroots creativity, the Metro District Takeover has become a festival highlight, delivering dynamic showcases that blend genres, styles, and voices. This year, expect standout performances from bands such as Four Act Riot, Dagrau Tân, Lady Garden, and Noon Wolf, alongside electrifying sets from rising rap stars Reply, BJC, ICON, DFlexxx, and Tickidex.

Also featured are captivating vocalists including Polly Lola, Isabella Aubin, Matt Le Vi, Samantha, and James Jones, who brings a distinctive touch with his blend of virtuoso violin and gritty vocals.

Following the success of last year’s Keyz Collective debut, Sound Progression is proud to introduce an exciting new project for 2025 – the SP Afrobeat Collective. Produced by acclaimed Welsh producer Farra the Producer, this vibrant 8-piece band fuses RnB, funk, and Afrobeats into an infectious live experience. Featuring the soulful vocals of Sera Beaux and the dynamic energy of Tickidex, the collective promises a performance full of rhythm, groove, and cultural celebration.

Audiences can catch the SP Afrobeat Collective opening the main stage at 4pm, with an additional set later that evening on the Metro District Stage at 6:20pm.

“We can’t wait to smash it once more! This is our 4th year at Immersed Festival, and we’re proud to continue championing young talent while presenting a diverse and vibrant lineup that captures the creativity and energy of Cardiff’s music scene,” says the Sound Progression team.

Sound Progression would like to thank its supporters and funders, including the University of South Wales, Cardiff Youth Service, Cardiff Music City, Ed Sheeran Foundation, and Arts Council of Wales, for making this programme possible.

Our new term started on 6th January 2025 with activity across seven centres including North Ely Youth Club; St Mellons Hub; Powerhouse Hub, Llanedeyrn; Butetown Pavilion; Gabalfa Youth Centre and Eastmoors Youth Centre on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as part of Cardiff Youth Service’s open access youth clubs. Just turn up and book your slot!

We are also extending our opening times at our central hub Grassroots, daily Monday-Fridays 11am-5pm plus staying open longer on Tuesdays and Thursdays till 8pm. Plus, due to the increasing demand for practice and recording facilities, we-re thrilled to announce Sunday Sessions 11am-4pm exclusively for bands aged 14-25!

Thanks to the continued support of Cardiff Youth Service; Arts Council of Wales’s National Lottery Programme; the Postcode Community Trust made possible thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery; Cardiff Third Sector Council through Shared Prosperity Small grant in partnership with Cardiff Council and Ty Cerdd for funding this project.

Are you aged 14-19 and can’t get enough of music—whether it’s playing, creating, or just enjoying great tunes? Looking for a cool spot to hang out, meet new people, and dive into all things music? Join us and Cardiff Youth Service at Grassroots between 11am and 3pm every Saturday.

No need to book, just DROP by. It’s all free and plus we’ll throw in free refreshments too!

PERFORMING ARTISTS

Sound Progression hosted a series of events across the summer showcasing a diverse range of young talents and musical genres and supporting skills development and the creation and production of original music.

The jam-packed programme, full of exciting, new and original music, offers audiences a glimpse of the next generation of music makers to come out of Wales. It includes over 18 acts from solo artists and bands performing a diverse range of music genres from Indie, Jazz, Hip Hop and Grime.

Performances included Clwb Ifor Bach; Immersed Festival at the Tramshed; Norwegian Church; Blue Lagoon Festival; Big Love Festival; SouthernSUNdown and Green Man Festival.

“The standard of each musical act was phenomenal. One thing they all have in common is their talent, their stories expressing life from a young person’s perspective.” Jessica Perkins for Xcellence Magazine