Cardiff Music City, part of the 70th Anniversary celebrations, brought two weeks of immersive music experiences to the Welsh Capital at the end of October. Over the last fortnight, businesses in Cardiff have worked to “harness the power of music, performance and tech to unite and inspire’’, bringing a wave of creative and innovative live music and DJ sets to a range of venues throughout the city. The festival originated in 2019, based around encouraging a resurgence of music in Cardiff, and has since developed into an exciting annual cultural event.
So far, it has been widely popular, with 2024’s festival including performances from international artists such as Kneecap and Lauryn Hill. The highlights of the 2025 line up included the much anticipated Sŵn weekend. Welsh for ‘sound’, Sŵn places emerging artists in the spotlight, from both Wales and beyond the borders supporting and celebrating grassroots music venues throughout Womanby street and the city centre; like Clŵb Ifor Bach, Tramshed, the New Moon and Porters.
Having visited Womanby street on Saturday night, the atmosphere was certainly full of life, with both locals and students pouring into the various music venues situated all down the street. The events that took place throughout Music City offered an impressive range of music genres and experiences, reaching across the entire city: from intimate acoustic and jazz performances to experimental electronic acts, incorporating unique sound and creativity throughout Cardiff. Through this approach to music, the performances break down the barriers between the artist and the audience, creating a sense of community and reshaping what the industry means for Cardiff and its local creatives and musicians.
More interesting and unusual elements of the festival include late night pop ups in Cardiff Market, with experimental and electronic DJ sets. Meanwhile, those who prefer a more sophisticated, relaxed evening could enjoy live jazz performances drifting through the Castle Arcade, with ‘Maison de Bouef’ and ‘Gin & Juice’ providing a warm vibrant evening of dinner and drinks. It has provided a space for industry professionals and music fans to come together.
With live music, open mic nights and talks, this has encouraged positive interactions across different areas of the creative sector. Elements of the festival such as these emphasise the vital importance of community within the creative industry, as it becomes increasingly challenging to enter. Overall, Cardiff’s Music City festival has successfully established an important and celebrated place for music in the Welsh capital, embedding musical culture into the city’s everyday life.
But the anniversary’s celebrations don’t end here – the next couple of weeks encompass Cardiff’s rich history.