Feature

World Children’s Day 2024 serves as a pertinent reminder of the vital role music education plays in young lives, and what we can do equalise access to it.

Connor Morgans shares how the NextGen Fund empowered his event series Adlais to expand Welsh music events beyond Cardiff, supporting local artists and venues, and reaching broader audiences across Wales.

Continuing our commissions for Black History Month 2024, Youth Music NextGen writer Elizabeth Oyetunji explores the role of music as a tool for expression, community and storytelling.

As part of our commissions for Black History Month 2024, Youth Music NextGen writer Natalia Leoni reflects on her evolving connection to her Jamaican heritage through music.

The past two Mercury Prize wins highlight the crucial role grassroots music plays in shaping the future of the industry. It’s time to stand up for grassroots youth and community music.

Youth Music NextGen Fund artist Saloni discusses her new single 'Rani' and embracing her "queen energy".

We explore five key changes that could shape the future of festivals, from sensory calm spaces to more inclusive line-ups, offering a vision of a festival experience where everyone feels welcome.

From jungle to grime, UK garage to Afroswing, Black British music has shaped the world. So why isn’t it in classrooms? Remi Fairweather Stride, Chair of our IDEA Working Group, calls for faster progress in decolonising the music curriculum.

Our new research has painted a stark picture of the current state of musicality in the north of England. We explore why young people are feeling a disconnect when it comes to making music.

For Pride Month, Youth Music NextGen Fund artist Maddie Morris shares their experience of touring as an LGBTQ+ musician, and how activism through song can impact an audience.

WILD Young Parents' ‘Music Makes Me Happy – Our Stories’ project helps the young parents and their babies express themselves and share their tales through music.

The creative industries in the UK have a problem with working-class representation. How can we help to build a music industry that better reflects our society?

Announcing the recipients of the eighth round of the Youth Music NextGen Fund: 36 young creatives making their ideas happen with a grant of up to £2,500.

This World Environment Day (5 June), we're reflecting on our own climate responsibility at Youth Music – especially as a youth-focused funder and campaigner. Find out how our Environmental Working Group is taking action.

It's time to invest in the creative power of our babies and toddlers. That's why we have launched our new Energiser Fund, to celebrate and energise creative practice with 2-4-year-olds.

How are AI tools affecting the creative processes of young musicians? Youth Music NextGen Fund artist Sweet Philly discusses the benefits and concerns surrounding AI tools, which free programs are available, and how they would use them when making a track.

We explain what exactly participatory grantmaking is, and why Youth Music is using it to democratise funding decisions and promote equity in the music sector.

To celebrate LGBT+ History Month, Youth Music NextGen photographer Maia Walker captures portraits of three young, queer musicians based in Liverpool.

Youth Music NextGen writer, David Simkins, examines the importance of queer representation and identification in music for young people.

To celebrate Welsh Language Music Day, Youth Music NextGen Fund artist Mari Mathias discusses the importance of celebrating folklore, tradition and the Celtic language through music.

Youth Music CEO, Matt Griffiths, reflects on Youth Music's journey as we celebrate our 25th anniversary.

Announcing the recipients of the sixth round of the Youth Music NextGen Fund: 34 young creatives making their ideas happen with a grant of up to £2,500.

Get to know 24 young emerging Youth Music NextGen musicians for 2024 with our list of Ones to Watch.

We reflect on why paying young people a fair wage must matter to the music industries, and what more needs to be done.

The power of music and lyric writing as a therapeutic outlet for young people is undeniable. We hear first-hand from young creatives and music projects about the benefits of lyric writing on their wellbeing in today’s climate.

Held at London’s Troxy on Wednesday 18 October, the Youth Music Awards in association with Hal Leonard Europe celebrated the most forward-thinking projects and people making, learning and earning in music.

Youth Music NextGen writer Amelia Fearon investigates the lack of diversity and equal opportunities in music journalism and the impact on the next generation.

Youth Music NextGen writer Elizabeth Oyetunji explores the history of Afrobeats and the lasting impact the genre has had on contemporary music.

To celebrate European Day of Languages, we spoke to Youth Music funded partners that work with young people who have English as an additional language.

Announcing the recipients of the sixth round of the Youth Music NextGen Fund: 35 young creatives making their ideas happen with a grant of up to £2,500.

As the demand for funding reaches an all-time high, low success rates for grassroots music projects means that many organisations are now at risk of closure.

In an industry rooted in connection, being part of a supportive network or community of fellow creatives can take an artist's career to the next level.

This Pride Month 2023, discover nine LGBTQ+ Youth Music NextGen artists making music across a plethora of genres.

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionised popular culture and begun to cement itself in everyday life. How are young creatives engaging with it?

Hull Sound Circles is a not-for-profit organisation creating positive change in people’s lives through music.

Youth Music NextGen writer Tiarna Meehan explores the importance of queer music spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in Glasgow.

Seven Youth Music NextGen artists headed down to Brighton for some memorable performances at The Great Escape Festival. Catch up on all the highlights.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we examine the positive impact that heavy music can have on the mental health of young people.

Creative community project, Do Your Own Thing, enables young people with learning disabilities and autistic young people to harness their boundless imagination.

Announcing the recipients of the fifth round of the Youth Music NextGen Fund: 35 young creatives making their ideas happen with a grant of up to £2,500.

For Earth Day 2023, we explore what grassroots music organisations can do to tackle environmental issues.

This International Women’s Day, we examine the underrepresentation of women behind the scenes of the music industries, and how finding and supporting the right grassroots organisations can change that.

Klust founder, Owain, speaks on the importance of Welsh Language Music Day and the current Welsh musical landscape.

Female artists remain disproportionately underrepresented throughout the music industries. Enough Records, a project supported through the Youth Music Incubator Fund, is actively breaking down these barriers so that young creatives can thrive.

The cost-of-living crisis could have a significant impact on grassroots music. As 88% of projects report concerns about the impact on children and young people, Youth Music announces a financial support and development programme to support the sector.

Announcing the recipients of the fourth round of the Youth Music NextGen Fund: 34 young creatives making their ideas happen with a grant of up to £2,500.

One year on from the first set of NextGens receiving their grants, we reflect how it has equalised access to the music industries for emerging creatives.

Youth Music NextGen Leo tells us about his on-screen breakthrough as Stevie in the Netflix movie 'I Used to be Famous', accessibility when filming, and his enduring love of music.

D-Max's story is an inspirational tale of strength and perseverance. From moving countries to transitioning and following his musical dream, his artistic journey has been about both finding balance and coming into his own.

On 19 October, hundreds attended the Youth Music Awards 2022, in association with Hal Leonard Europe. This year, we asked people to Tune In to new sounds, new opinions and the new future music industries. 

After more than 20 years as the UK’s leading music charity for children and young people, our research continues to tell us that music can have a profoundly positive impact on mental health.

In 2019, more than sixty 18-25 year olds have benefited from paid freelance work as a result, with more than one thousand also enjoying access to industry expertise and job opportunities through our Youth Music NextGen community.

Find out what impact we’ve had so far, and what more we can do to help more young people make, learn and earn in music.

Our latest research has found that Youth Music's NextGen want to champion change themselves, leading from the front.

Announcing the recipients of the third round of the Youth Music NextGen Fund: 32 young creatives making their ideas happen with a grant of up to £2,500.

Announcing the recipients of the second round of the Youth Music NextGen Fund: 34 young creatives making their ideas happen with a grant of up to £2,500.

Global Majority or BAME? Disabled or d/Deaf and Disabled? Which language should we use? And how do we make those decisions?

This International Women’s Day, check out some of the young women we know who are making waves in the music industries.

Check out the winners of the first Youth Music VIP competition, judged by Bicep.

We're backing 27 more organisations through the Youth Music #IncubatorFund - opening up sustainable careers in music for people aged 18-25. Explore the creative employers incubating new and diverse talent with grants of up to £30k.

NextGen Contributing Writer Phoebe Patrick shares her thoughts on the Youth Music Awards 2021 in association with Hal Leonard Europe.

Read our new report exploring the links between songwriting, self-expression and wellbeing in young people.

Learn more about the first round of organisations receiving grants from our Incubator Fund, designed to help open up access to sustainable careers in music for people aged 18-25, particularly those who are underrepresented; and to support creative employers to innovate and incubate new and diverse talent.

In 2019, more than sixty 18-25 year olds have benefited from paid freelance work as a result, with more than one thousand also enjoying access to industry expertise and job opportunities through our Youth Music NextGen community.

Find out what impact we’ve had so far, and what more we can do to help more young people make, learn and earn in music.

Reform Radio, Palm Bay Music and Young Guns Network have all previously been awarded a grant from the Incubator Fund. Find out how they used the funding to open up access to the music industries for all young people.

Ever wondered what it's like to work in the music industry? Introducing our new three-part YouTube series, Inside the music industry, a sit down with professionals working in the industry to discuss their jobs, and share advice for young people trying to get their foot in the door.

Learn more about the second round of organisations receiving grants from our Incubator Fund, designed to help open up access to sustainable careers in music for people aged 18-25, particularly those who are underrepresented in the music industries.

Nottingham based project Circle of Light took 2020 by storm with a new album, recorded and produced during lockdown. Hear from six of their participants about their time on the project.

Hainault based Singer-songwriter and Community Arts Practitioner Rosie Webb (21), discusses the music-making opportunities organisation Key Changes provided for her during the pandemic and the impact of music on mental health.

We spoke to Brighton Dome about why the real Living Wage is important in ensuring greater inclusivity in access to the music industry.

Learn more about the first round of organisations receiving grants from our Incubator Fund, designed to help open up access to sustainable careers in music for people aged 18-25, particularly those who are underrepresented; and to support creative employers to innovate and incubate new and diverse talent.

Produced and presented by the next generation of creators across the UK, Youth Music’s original podcast, The Higher Frequency, delves into the social and political issues behind the music you love. This six-part series features special guests GIRLI, Zoka the Author, [K S R], Lavs, Estee Blu, Nadia Khan, VITAL and more.

Andrew Miller discusses Youth Music’s new report, Reshape Music, which highlights issues around accessibility for Disabled musicians within the music industries - a problem which has never been more pressing.

In October 2019 we celebrated the first ever Youth Music Awards in association with Hal Leonard Europe. One year later, we caught up with some of the winners to find out what they've been up to.

In June 2020, we hosted two online focus group discussions with young musicians (aged 18-25) at various stages of their musical careers. This report explores some of the ways in which the coronavirus pandemic has impacted on the lives and careers of these seven young musicians.

Jungle's Tom McFarland talks live shows and lockdown, power and privilege in the music industry and more in this interview with Youth Music Next Gen Journalist Lily Fontaine.

"Before the pandemic, we were already living in a world whose heart beat through the pages of social media and now that we are forced to predominantly communicate this way, we’ve realised how stagnant this can be."

Katie spoke to various industry players to find out what they’ve been listening to in order to stay switched on and inspired during lockdown.

Take Note in collaboration with Youth Music and LWE brings you a new week long series of daily interviews from Monday 6 July at 5pm with Emerald Rose, Keep Hush, Gerald Sagoe, Reprezent Radio and UKF.

Live in Lockdown is a series of interviews with young DJs and producers about their experiences getting into DJing, how their careers and creativity has been affected by lockdown and their advice for new DJs. 

"Sometimes it takes a lot of guts as an artist to say, ‘I want to do what I feel’, as opposed to what might feel safe in the market." - Lorna Blackwood.

Youth Music has partnered with PRS Foundation to support their nationwide Talent Development Partner programme. Ellie, a member of Next Gen interviewed Spike Griffiths, Project Director of Forté Project, to find out more about how the project is supporting young musicians in South Wales.

As part of Commission Mission, Jumi Akinfenwa Senior Music Supervisor & Cultural Curator at Pitch & Sync discusses with her peers the lack of diversity in music supervision.

As part of Commission Mission, Founder of Alcopop! Records Jack Clothier writes about the importance of community when you work in music.

Electronic duo Bicep share their tips on a long career in music production, ahead of Youth Music and Charanga's new competition for electronic music tracks produced on VIP Studio Sessions.

As President of Straight Forward Music Group, Dani Stephenson has been working in the music industry for over 15 years, working with artists such as Anne-Marie, Drake, and P Diddy. In an interview with Youth Music, Dani shares his personal journey and the insights he has gained from his experiences.

Long-time live music fan Deseree shares her thoughts on the future of the live music event scene.

We asked Clara, a part of Youth Music Next Gen, to share how the UK-wide lockdown has affected her work. Watch the video here.

We spoke to young creatives who worked in roles at the Youth Music Awards 2019 about what it meant to them to get paid for their work.

Taz is a 17-year-old rapper from Cambridge. Over the last three years she’s taken part in a number of music-making projects run by local youth charity Romsey Mill.

Chi, 21, is a beatmaker and music producer from Oxford. The Beat Route project, run by the Ark T Centre, has helped him learn new skills and work out a direction for his future.