Creative Crisis – A Youth Led Initiative

Friday 20 November 2026, 6pm - 9pm

Come along to the ‘Creative Crisis’ an in-person discussion and the final part of a research project led by Mwathi Muriu-Gakonga, Junior Associate, looking at the experiences of 18–25-year-olds in the current creative climate within the music industry. 

You’ll have the chance to share your own experiences and be involved in conversations around developing recommendations on how the industry can better support young people. 

This event will provide a welcoming space for young people to share their input and as well as having some practitioners and organisations who support young people sit in on the conversation. 

 You’ll hear from panellists with different creative disciplines within music who will share their thoughts and opinions on where everything is at currently.

This research project has been commissioned and supported by Sound Connections. 

Book your tickets here.


What to expect?

This three-hour event will put young people’s voices front and centre, exploring the challenges of entering the creative industries and exploring different voices and perspectives.

During the event there will be: 

  • A panel discussion (with the chance for Q&A)
  • Group Discussion (Open to all)
  • Presentation of current research (including interviews with a range of creatives from events producers to artists, instrumentalists, producers and youth practitioners)
  • A creative interpretation of research findings

The panel will dive into the unique experiences of a range of different creatives, highlighting where things are being done well and where needs to improve to help young people establish sustainable careers in the creative industry/music industries. 

This will be followed by an opportunity to connect with your fellow peers and creatives.

As a young person enduring many different challenges freelancing and creating, I’m very passionate about hearing from different people to see what the full picture looks like and discover if everyone is facing the same problems. Advocacy is something very important to me, so I’m interested in exploring this topic and seeing if there are any clear changes we need to make based on the insights and findings that come out of the research.

Mwathi - Junior Associate

Who is this session for?

This session aims to bring together young people aged 18-25 who are creating, freelancing, working or aspiring to work in the music sector, as well as a small number of organisations and practitioners to provide a forum for young people to share their honest experiences. All levels of experience are welcome.

How to Attend

Tickets are free and available below (with limited spaces)
  

Raw Material

2 Robsart Street, Brixton, London, SW9 0DJ

Raw Material
2 Robsart Street, Brixton, London, SW9 0DJ

If you have any suggestions about training and events that you would like to see in future, please contact Emily at emily@sound-connections.org.uk.