The Welsh capital will play host this month to a series of unmissable performances, installations, and discussions – and we’re excited to share our recommendations!
9th October 2025
It’s easy to think that the most influential musical cities in the UK are places like London, Manchester, or Liverpool, but that is far from the truth. As highlighted by our partnership with Dydd Miwsig Cymru - Welsh Language Music Day - back in February, Wales has emerged as a creative hub for artists across various fields, particularly in music. This cultural vibrancy will be showcased in the capital throughout October. Kicking off last weekend, the Cardiff Music City Festival is no ordinary event; running from 3rd to 18th October, it will celebrate music in all its forms with over 200 performances across 20 venues. The festival will conclude with Sŵn Festival, the city’s multi-venue showcase for emerging talent. So far, the event has featured acts such as CVC and Tom Rasmussen, along with the 2025 Welsh Music Prize (more on that below!), and there’s much more to look forward to. Here are a few highlights from the schedule that we’re particularly excited about…
6th October: The Welsh Music Prize 2025
Technically, the Welsh Music Prize 2025 ceremony has already occurred (it took place earlier this week at the iconic Wales Millennium Centre), but that doesn’t mean we can’t look back and celebrate the winner. Selected from a list of fifteen nominees, including albums from Panic Shack, Melin Melyn, Kelly Lee Owens, and Gwenno, this year’s winner is Welsh beatmaker Don Leisure, aka Aly Jamal, for his album ‘Tyrchu Sain’. This project revitalizes the back catalogue of Sain Records, Wales’ oldest independent label. Interested in learning more? Check out our interview with Don Leisure below.
9th October: Cate Le Bon
Having just released her seventh album a week ago, Cate Le Bon’s performance at the Wales Millennium Centre promises to be quite special. Marking the first album release in six years since her Mercury Prize-nominated ‘Reward’, her latest work ‘Michelangelo Dying’ is a complex and layered effort created across various locations, including the Greek island of Hydra, Cardiff, London, Los Angeles, and completed in the Californian desert. Experiencing it live in one of its spiritual homes, as part of this year's Llais Festival that celebrates the human voice, will be unforgettable. Limited tickets remain for today’s show, so act fast!
11th October: Adwaith
As if witnessing the energetic Welsh-speaking trio Adwaith once isn’t enough, the band will perform two(!) exceptional shows at the city’s Weston Studio. Also part of Llais, the first show, ‘O Dan y Haenau’, at 6.30pm, will feature re-imagined tracks from their early discography, which includes songs from 2018’s ‘Melyn’ and 2022’s ‘Bato Mato’. Later, at 9.30pm, they will perform their recently released album ‘Solas’ in full - all 23 tracks - for what will be a rare experience. Head here for the last tickets available.
11th October: Ishmael Ensemble's Immersive Live Performance
As previously mentioned, Cardiff has become a sanctuary for diverse creativity and music, which will be beautifully represented by Ishmael Ensemble’s unique immersive live performance at CULTVR on Saturday, 11th October. Established in 2019, CULTVR has become a center for immersive arts and XR (Extended Reality). For this special event, part of the Soundscape Sessions, the Bristol genre-blending collective will perform alongside live visuals crafted by the award-winning studio 4PiProductions. Find out more here.
12th October: Los Campesinos!
We love them, and it’s fantastic to have them back in our lives; it couldn’t be any other band than Los Campesinos! Having made a comeback last year with their amazing album ‘All Hell’, the Cardiff indie icons are returning home for what promises to be a night full of nostalgic sing-alongs and heartfelt moments. Currently, their performance at Y Plas - the Cardiff Students’ Union, is the only show scheduled, so don’t miss out on what’s sure to be a highlight since 2006. Need to dance (or perhaps have a good cry)? Secure a last-minute ticket here.
16th - 18th October: Sŵn Festival 2025
Each year, Cardiff’s Sŵn Festival stands out as a key event on the musical calendar. Following a period
They will be accompanied by special guests The Vaccines, James Marriott, and The Royston Club.
Tara Lily and King Krule team up for the new track 'Tropical Storm'. The pair have been acquainted for a while and have previously worked together. When King
Johnny Marr is set to perform a major concert at Manchester's Castlefield Bowl next summer. The indie icon has established a well-regarded solo career, and with every tour
Stepping away from the collaborative emphasis of her initial career, Jehnny Beth's second solo album, ‘You Heartbreaker, You’, sees her simplifying things in every way.
Seth Troxer has issued an urgent plea for assistance following floods in Ibiza that "almost wiped out" his record collection. The DJ is well-known for his passion for vinyl and has
Robert Smith of The Cure has always been open about his views - whether it's regarding his long-time contentious relationship with Morrissey or becoming a
This month, the Welsh capital will host a range of unmissable performances, installations, and talks - and we’re excited to share our recommendations with you!