Our Talent Development and Performance Programme, launched in July 2019, brings together young people who share a passion and talent for creating music. It provides progression routes for participants from our wider programmes, supporting young people, particularly those from underrepresented and low socioeconomic backgrounds, to explore opportunities and careers within the creative industries. The programme also extends our reach beyond our youth centres, connecting with emerging artists from across the wider region.

Invited artists receive bespoke creative development support to nurture a wide range of talent, from emerging solo artists to established duos and bands. Participants work with our team to develop songwriting, production and performance skills, build portfolios of original work, produce recordings and gain valuable live performance experience.

To date, we have supported over 200 young talents, presented through more than 80 acts spanning genres from indie, pop and folk to hip hop, R&B, grime and drum and bass.

Sound Progression now manages youth stages and showcases at festivals and venues including Immersed Festival, Clwb Ifor Bach, Green Man Festival, Big Love Festival and In It Together Festival, alongside a range of Cardiff based festivals and events. These opportunities give young artists the chance to perform on professional stages and connect with wider audiences and industry networks.

The programme is supported by Arts Council of Wales, the Ed Sheeran Foundation and the Welsh Government, whose investment enables us to create meaningful performance opportunities and strengthen pathways from grassroots music activity into the wider music industry.