13.02.2026: UK Music came to the Land of Song to launch its Manifesto for Music Wales, which aims to boost the Welsh music sector and the wider economy.

The launch, which took place opposite the Senedd at the iconic Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, brought together all sectors of the Welsh music industry with policy makers and politicians to hear first-hand how UK Music’s five point plan can help turbocharge the economy and drive tourism to Wales.

Opening Wednesday’s (March 11) event, Senedd Member and Chair of the Cross-Party Group for Music, Rhianon Passmore MS (Lab), welcomed the Manifesto and the attention paid to Wales’s renowned music creators and its rich musical heritage. She told the packed cabaret theatre the nation’s world class musicians and the hard-working cultural institutions that help sustain them, should be celebrated and deserve long-term strategic support.

Attendees were given a taste of that Welsh musical talent with the Welsh National Opera’s String Sextet performing the Sextet from the Strauss opera Capriccio. Welsh Nigerian pianist Ify Iwobi then played a selection of her own compositions supported by electric guitar and djembe drum.

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl set out the manifesto’s vision to boost music education, protect vital venues, support the creative workforce, and drive investment across Wales. He also stressed the importance of the upcoming Welsh Senedd elections for the future of music in Wales.

He commented: “We hope our manifesto will send a strong message to all those fighting these elections that music is a huge asset to Wales, and the decisions that those fortunate enough to be elected make will have a profound impact on culture across Wales.”

The five key recommendations in UK Music’s Manifesto for Music Wales are:

· Grow Welsh music through smart public investments

· Bring down barriers to exporting Welsh music

· Ensure music education is accessible to all

· Ensure AI policy supports homegrown creativity

· Use music to drive Welsh tourism

UK Music is calling on all candidates standing in the Senedd elections on May 7 to back the manifesto to boost homegrown music businesses and creators, ease touring at home and abroad, and make a great music education accessible for all.

You can read the English language manifesto here.

You can read the Welsh language manifesto here.