Cardiff Music City Festival has wrapped up its third year, and what a fortnight it was. More than 100 events, from gigs and talks to installations and pop-up experiences, filled over 20 venues across the city and brought thousands of music fans into the capital.
The venue list reads like a map of Cardiff’s music scene. The Canopi, Tramshed, Paradise Garden, District, Porter’s, the Globe, Acapela, CULTVR, Clwb Ifor Bach and Wales Millennium Centre all played their part.
A cult opening
Things got under way at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, where local cult heroes Acid Casuals gave a one-off performance of their cult album Omni. It set the tone for two weeks celebrating the breadth and diversity of the city’s music, and Cardiff-based art collective Tactile Bosch marked its 25th anniversary along the way.
Gwenno playing piano during her performance at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Image credit: Ren Faulkner
Three Welsh favourites under one banner
Part of the festival’s strength is the company it keeps. Sŵn, Llais and the Welsh Music Prize all formed part of the programme again this year, alongside specially curated events across the city centre and wider Cardiff. Fittingly, sŵn is Welsh for sound, and llais means voice.
Dafydd Owain was named winner of the Welsh Music Prize, while Laurie Anderson gave her first ever performance in Wales at Llais. Sŵn brought standout sets from 2026 Mercury nominee Dove Ellis, Working Men’s Club, Westside Cowboy, Bathing Suits and Honeyglaze.
Over at the Gate in Roath, Melin Melyn topped a bill of Welsh talent including Morn and Internet Fatigue, and DIY punk culture took centre stage at Arthole.
Melin Melyn performing at the Gate in Roath. Image credit: David Hardacre
After hours at the market
One of the more unusual nights out came courtesy of the Cardiff Music City Night Market, which returned to turn the city’s historic central market into an after-hours music hub. Local alternative radio station Radio Sudd programmed three evenings of DJs and live music, featuring Panic Shack, The Orielles, John Mouse and Cerys Hafana.
Elsewhere, the Temple of Peace hosted a seven hour sound installation by Richard James, and there were industry panels and masterclasses featuring Bristol post-punk act Getdown Services, Kayus Bankole of Young Fathers, and Idles guitarist Lee Kiernan. The festival also saw the unveiling of a new Manic Street Preachers lyric artwork on Womanby Street.
What they said
Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Music is Cardiff’s beating heart, and you could hear that loud and clear during this year’s festival. As well as delivering unforgettable experiences for audiences, the festival supports our independent venues, creates opportunities for local artists and shines a spotlight on the incredible strength of Cardiff’s music scene.”
Welsh Government Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport, Heledd Fychan, said: “Cardiff Music City Festival continues to demonstrate Wales’ capital as a vibrant and vital home for music – and that’s why we’ve supported this year’s festival, helping to showcase the incredible talent across our music scene, from grassroots artists to internationally renowned names. This investment reflects our commitment to backing our live music sector, supporting independent venues and ensuring Cardiff continues to be recognised as a true music city on the world stage.”
More than a fortnight of gigs
The festival is supported by Welsh Government and Cardiff Council, and it is a key part of the city’s long-term Music City strategy. Under that strategy the Council has provided grant funding to Cardiff’s grassroots venues, developed schemes to encourage new promoters, supported artists and musicians with grants, and partnered with Music Venue Trust on a scheme to give grassroots venues high quality backline equipment. It has also secured the future of St David’s Hall and is supporting the delivery of the new Arena in Cardiff Bay.
Back in 2027
Cardiff Music City Festival will return for its fourth year in autumn 2027. Keep an eye on cardiffmusiccityfestival.wales for news.
City Life Tip!
You don’t have to wait a year. Most of this year’s festival venues, from Clwb Ifor Bach to Tramshed and the Globe, run gigs all year round, so check their listings for the next chance to catch new Welsh talent.
Main picture: Acid Casuals opened the festival with a special performance of their cult album Omni. Image credit: Jamie Chapman.
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More from the stages
For a closer look at the music itself, from Laurie Anderson’s first Welsh show to Dafydd Owain’s Welsh Music Prize win, head over to our sister title. Read the highlights on Music Life.
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