Supporting the next generation: a Wired4Music update

With the summer break fast approaching, it’s been a busy and exciting few months for Wired4Music. From expanding our reach with a new South London venue to offering real-world music industry experiences for our members, Wired4Music has been focused on deepening our impact and refining what we do best: supporting 16–25-year-old artists and music workers to thrive. In this update, Programme Producer Tee and Assistant Producer Chase reflect on the highs, the lessons, and what’s next for Wired4Music. 

Tell us how things have been going with Wired4Music over the last few months.

The last few months of Wired4Music have really been about showing the results of our hard work and planning. Between December and March, we experienced a lot of change, whilst also laying down solid long-term plans focused on how we can truly support 16 to 25-year-old music artists and workers.

We’ve spent a lot of time refining how we reach people and how to handpick opportunities that matter — things that actually contribute to someone’s career progression. One of the biggest changes is that we’ve moved venues for WIRED UP and started a partnership with Raw Material in Brixton. With our office based at Rich Mix in East London, we wanted to expand our reach and meet new communities, and so connecting with a South London-based organisation just made sense. The response has been amazing so far.

We’ve also been creating more real-life experiences for our members. From shadowing us on projects, to performing at schools, to working behind the scenes at festivals (SXSW and Ursuline Academy to name a few) — we’re giving people access to opportunities they might not normally get. At the core of this is our belief that all the young people and producers have careers that the Wired4music community can learn from so we’re trying to find ways to include those aspects into the programme this time. When we align them, we create something bespoke, real, and useful.

Chase – as the Wired4Music Assistant Producer, can you tell us a bit about your experience going from first being an event producer to now an Assistant Producer for the whole W4M programme?

Transitioning into the Assistant Producer role for Wired4Music has been a real eye-opener and helped me develop in several areas. I started out organising individual nights, like our WIRED UP showcases, and now I’m helping shape the entire W4M programme from top to bottom.

It’s exciting (and sometimes a bit hectic!) to juggle everything, from our funding schemes, like Generate, to planning Insight workshops and managing our monthly event calendar. Seeing how we impact the next generation of musicians and provide a space for their voices to be heard really resonates with me. I often think back to my early days as a young musician, when I didn’t feel connected to a creative community; I’m proud to play a part in creating that for others.

The hardest part? Balancing competing priorities, especially when events overlap or a gap needs filling at short notice. It takes constant coordination to keep everyone on the same page. I’ve become much more confident working within a dynamic team with many moving parts, and I’d say I’ve grown into a more versatile team member for Wired4Music.

Wired4Music recently went to Ursuline Secondary School’s “United in Harmony” concert – can you tell us what you were doing there?

Chase:

I recently attended Ursuline Secondary School’s “United in Harmony” concert as a performer, accompanying Tee on saxophone and piano. It was wonderful to connect with the students and serve as a positive role model—particularly as a female instrumentalist in what is often a male-dominated field. When I brought out my saxophone, the girls cheered before I’d even played a note. That reaction was so heartwarming; it reminded me how important representation is and made me feel proud to inspire the next generation of young musicians.

Tee:

When Jenetta Hurst first invited me, I honestly wasn’t sure I could do it. Performing for young people — one of the most impressionable age groups — meant I had to come correct, mentally and musically. It couldn’t just be a vibe. I needed to bring a message.

Coming from South London, representing Sound Connections, and also showing up as Tee Peters, I needed this to be intentional. Purpose is embedded in everything I do. So, I built a set around three pillars: faith, confidence, and love — all of which feel essential when you’re a teenager navigating new relationships, big questions, and insecurities.

We had fun. We played games. Their teacher (shoutout to Wolf) even jumped in and performed! But more than anything, I wanted to leave them with a bit of hope. Based on the feedback and the conversations after, I think we did that. I’d love to do it again.

It’s been a whole year since we launched WIRED UP – what are your reflections, and how are you feeling about it going forwards?

Working with Raw Material has been a blessing. Our June event? Packed out. Sold out. Actually oversold! Thankfully not everyone showed up at once, but it made us realise: we need to prepare for growth. Young people are genuinely interested in playing with a live band, taking part in open mics, and meeting others. June was, without exaggeration, our most successful WIRED UP yet.

And I think it’s because of the foundation we’ve built. We train event producers over six months, and all the experience from previous years is now filtering down to this new cohort. They’ve only just started, but they’re already building from a strong base.

The July event is shaping up nicely too. We’re hoping to keep this momentum going — not just with Raw Material, but with the overall WIRED UP model. It’s exciting to see it thrive and evolve.

As you are both creative practitioners outside of your work at Sound Connections and Wired4Music, how have you found juggling multiple hats?

Chase:

Being surrounded by other creatives through Wired4Music and Sound Connections constantly motivates me; it keeps me inspired and encourages me to keep working on my own projects. Being in a creative environment pushes me to stay open-minded and keeps the momentum going in my personal projects.

Working with Sound Connections has also opened doors for me in the wider creative industry. I’ve had the chance to connect with inspiring people in the music industry, get involved in bigger live events, and explore opportunities that align with my career goals.

One part of my role involves staying up to date with music opportunities for young people, and that’s been a win-win; it helps me stay informed for my own journey too. I’m able to discover opportunities I might not have found otherwise, and sometimes even put myself forward for them. It’s a really rewarding exchange between my personal practice and my work here.

Tee:

I don’t juggle hats — I wear them all at once. Or maybe I just have one hat that holds everything.

Because we work in music, and the team is made up of people who live this, it never feels like I’m doing two separate jobs. It’s all aligned. I still perform gigs, make music, and develop as an artist — but at the same time, I’m always thinking, “How could this connect back to Wired4Music?”

Sometimes I bring members to my shows. Other times I invite them into my studio. We collaborate, share skills, and grow together. Helping others has made me reflect on how I can improve too. And that’s the beauty of it. It’s not just work. It’s a cycle of growth.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to work in the music industry / music education sector, with the knowledge and experience you have now?

Create a brand you can live by.

That doesn’t mean logos or fancy fonts — I mean a sentence that defines your mission. Something that stays with you when you’re performing, networking, applying for gigs, or starting a project.

For me, it’s: “Help beginner artists and music workers become more confident in their career progression.” Simple, clear, and always relevant. That one sentence helps me explain what I do, and it’s opened doors again and again.

If you can define your purpose early, everything becomes easier — from marketing to decision-making. Without that clarity, you’ll be pulled in every direction.

Looking forwards, what’s in the pipeline for Wired4Music?

We’ve got exciting events coming up! This Friday 25th July, we’re back for another live WIRED UP event. And on 14th August, we’ve got a performance workshop at Kunstraum — with live band support, confidence coaching, and practical advice to improve your stage presence.

We’re always open to ideas too. If you’ve got a workshop or event topic in mind, DM us on Instagram!

And lastly, what’s one thing you would say to someone who is hearing about Wired4Music for the first time and might be thinking about getting involved?

Just sign up.

It’s free, it’s low commitment, and you’re only going to gain from it. You’ll get access to monthly opportunities, real community, and chances to collaborate, perform, or grow your skillset. And if it’s not for you? You can unsubscribe. No pressure.

If you’re a creative aged 16-25 living in London, join our Wired4Music community for free here >