City-wide music festival set to return for third year

A crowd surfer in the audience at Tramshed for Getdown Services as part of Sŵn 2025 Photo credit: Charlie Barclay Harris

A music festival which has brought international artists to the Welsh capital will return for the third year this October.

Cardiff Music City Festival will run for two weeks from October 2 to October 17.

There are three strands to the festival, which will include:

• Sŵn – Cardiff’s annual new music festival
• Llais – Wales Millennium Centre’s international arts weekend
• Welsh Music Prize – celebrating the very best music made in or by Wales

Last year’s festival saw over 1,000 musicians take to stages at 20 grassroots venues across Cardiff, and featured performances from over 270 Welsh and Wales-based artists.

Ibibio Sound Machine performing at Llais Festival Photo credit: Llais

Supported by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government, the festival has brought internationally acclaimed artists including Lauryn Hill, Rufus Wainwright and Moonchild Sanelly.

Cardiff council cabinet member for culture, parks and events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Cardiff is fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting music destinations and Cardiff Music City Festival is a big part of that.

“Every year it brings some incredible global talent to Cardiff to play in our independent venues, as well as providing a valuable platform for local artists and celebrating our vibrant scene.”

Cardiff Music City Festival is part of the council’s long-term music strategy, which aims to protect, promote and strengthen the city’s music ecosystem.