Cardiff Music Conference 2023 looks to inspire the next generation of music enthusiasts

Taking place inside St David’s Hall, in the heart of Cardiff City Centre, the Cardiff Music Conference 2023 attracted hundreds of creatives from all over Wales during its 6-hour event, forming a community of like-minded people with a passion for the music scene.

To many, music is a language. It helps communicate when our words are not enough, brings communities closer together, and displays intimately, our expression of emotions. Mirroring the sensational growth of the Southwest Wales MOBO awards over the last two decades, the Cardiff Music Conference 2023 looks to inspire the next generation of music enthusiasts, offering the knowledge and experience from industry professionals with years of valuable experience.

Tyrone, John and David, youth support workers working within the music department at the Cathays Community Centre hosted a song writing and production workshop at the event, utilising state of the art equipment used within the industry and explored the various ways to make music.

Tyrone, a music mentor, has been working at the Cathays Community Centre for the past six months and shared his knowledge of BandLab, music production and the use of loops and melody which are vital tools for any aspiring artist.

“The goal was to engage with the visitors and young people and try to introduce them to what we’re doing at the Cathays Community Centre,” he says. “Be it writing lyrics, singing, or the use of instruments, if people have any kind of passion, we hope to explore that,” he adds.

Talking on the importance of events such as the Cardiff Music Conference, he says: “there are so many young people that are into urban music, and the crowd that enjoy it are often frowned upon and disregarded by society. It’s important to show that this type of music, and the type of following that is attached to that are welcome and integrated back into the local community,” he finishes.

For John, his work in the music department within the Cathays Community Centre helps to develop and form expression within the local community.

Talking on his role, he explains: “it’s important to give people the space to express themselves in a safe environment. At the community centre we have fantastic facilities including performance spaces and music studios which are all very accessible, as well as a group of amazing staff who can tailor the sessions to theyoung person’s interests. Whether that interest is rock, dance or grime, there are always people on site to give a guiding hand to nurture that passion.”

“I find going to work at Cathays is not just about doing my job for the money, it’s what the centre brings to the community. For me, when you make a breakthrough with a young person, it really makes me happy. If someone’s shy or anxious, we slowly build the rapport, and seeing their journey onto the mic or the musical instruments, it’s lovely to see a new confidence to do that,” he concludes.

Running on Mondays 6pm-8:30pm and Thursday’s 5pm-7pm in Studio 2 at the Cathays Community Centre, his workshop Musical Diversity captures an assortment of different elements to help unleash creativity. Each session is £1, and proceeds go back into the community centre to help fund similar projects like Johns.

For David, a singer and songwriter, music has been at the heart of his work as a youth support worker. Speaking on what the Cardiff Music Conference can bring to the community centre, he says: “it’s great for publicity. Handing out flyers and reaching out to the young people we can explain the important work we do at the centre in building their confidence. I feel music does a lot for young people that need direction, and if you keep them busy with something they love, it keeps them off the street”.

When it comes to the next generation of artists, David believes the right leadership and mentoring is essential.

“I feel right now, the only encouragement a lot of these young people receive is through the artists they listen and relate to, like Eminem and Lil Wayne. However, a lot of their lyrics speak about drugs and gangs, and it’s up to us to educate and direct them into exploring more positive things,” he concludes.

The work of both the Cathays Community Centre and the Cardiff Music Conference go hand in hand in supporting young people within the community, and it was a total success, generating a real buzz in the heart of the capital.