This is an abridged version of the keynote address given by Lawrence Becko from Sound Connections at Roundhouse Rising Futures: Participation Now! in February 2014. This was a ground-breaking symposium programmed by Wired4Music, the music council for young Londoners. The event was created to advocate for young people’s democratic participation through music, and explored how young people can take a leading role in shaping their own musical experiences.