WIRED UP North x CULTIVATE Amplifies Young Creative Talent in Sunderland

Building on from our conversations last summer with We Make Culture, Sound Connections is heading back to Sunderland this October for WIRED UP North, bringing young people and youth organisations from our Cultivate programme together for two days of music-based activities and performances…and you’re invited!

Book your free tickets to join us here. Keep reading to find out more about how to get involved.

Day one – Wednesday 28 October 2026

The first day will bring together our 2026-27 CULTIVATE cohort – Brink Productions, Communities Unite, Gateshead Music Trust, We Make Culture, Overgrown Audio, and Scrapyard Studios CIC – for a series of creative workshops at the newly opened Culture House in Sunderland. Hosted by Wired4Music, these workshops are set to cover content creation, networking and vocal training alongside career advice sessions and more.

Day two – Thursday 29 October 2026

The second day is centred around a live music showcase at Independent, Sunderland, where young performers from Brink Productions, Communities Unite, Overgrown Audio, Scrapyard Studios CIC, and We Make Culture will take to the stage. The artists will be supported by Wired4Music’s house band to take part in collaborative jam sessions and performances, as well as having opportunity to connect with peers and industry professionals.

Join us on 29 October at Independent, Sunderland for an evening of live music, creativity and community, and help celebrate the next generation of young musicians from across the country. Book your FREE ticket here.

Find out more about our 2026/27 CULTIVATE cohort here.