Cardiff Music City Festival is heading into its second week, and there’s still a huge amount of music, culture and creativity to discover across the capital.
The festival got off to a brilliant start, with Acid Casuals kicking things off at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Richard James bringing his marathon sound sanctuary to the Temple of Peace, and the Welsh Music Prize taking centre stage alongside some fantastic performances at Llais in the Wales Millennium Centre.
Meanwhile, Cardiff’s independent music venues have been coming alive with live shows, proving once again just how much musical talent the city has to offer.
Week two has already started with Church of Noise at Canton’s Arthole, which continues throughout the week, and there’s plenty more to look forward to.
The celebrations will build towards Sŵn Festival, Cardiff’s original multi-venue music festival, which kicks off on Friday 16 October and brings another packed weekend of live music to venues across the city.
From experimental sounds and poetry to late-night markets, immersive performances and international artists, here are our top picks of events still to catch at Cardiff Music City Festival.
Our Top Picks for Week Two
1. Adult DVD at Clwb Ifor Bach
Leeds band Adult DVD are back in Wales after a huge set at Green Man Festival this summer, and if their Cardiff performance is anything like that one, we’re in for a treat.
Known for their infectious mix of synth-driven indie, electronic beats and dancefloor energy, the band are bringing their high-energy live show to Clwb Ifor Bach. Expect catchy hooks, pulsing rhythms and plenty of dancing.
Tuesday 13 October 2026 · Clwb Ifor Bach
Price: Check ticket listing
2. Church of Noise: Build Your Own DIY Utopia
Something a little different is happening in Canton this week, with Church of Noise bringing a unique series of talks and film screenings to Arthole.
Exploring underground music, punk culture, creativity and independent communities, the programme offers a fascinating look at the people and spaces keeping alternative culture alive. The series continues throughout the week, including Build Your Own DIY Utopia, which explores the power of music and art to bring people together.
Wednesday 14 October 2026 · 7pm · Arthole, Canton
Price: Check ticket listing
3. Resonant Places: Revisiting Cardiff’s Lost Music Venues
With so many music venues closing in recent years, it’s good to take a trip down memory lane and remember some of Cardiff’s gone-but-not-forgotten venues.
Resonant Places is a fascinating exhibition at the Pierhead Building, celebrating the clubs, concert halls and underground spaces that helped shape Cardiff’s music scene. Through old posters, photographs, memorabilia and personal stories, it brings back memories of the places where generations of Cardiff music fans spent their nights.
Running until 5 November 2026 · Pierhead Building, Cardiff Bay
Price: Free exhibition
4. tactileBOSCH x Morgan Arcade: Fist Inside the Velvet Glove
One of the festival’s more unusual experiences will see the upper floors of Cardiff’s historic Morgan Arcade transformed into a space for experimental art, music and performance.
Celebrating 25 years of tactileBOSCH, the three-day programme brings together international artists, live performances, installations and experimental sounds inside a part of the arcade many visitors have never seen before.
Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October 2026 · 2pm–10pm · Morgan Arcade
Price: FREE
5. Sŵn Festival 2026
The big finale to Cardiff Music City Festival is the return of Sŵn, the city’s much-loved multi-venue music discovery festival. More than 150 artists are expected across ten stages, with acts including Working Men’s Club, Dove Ellis, Honeyglaze, Cerys Hafana and The Orielles. It’s a chance to discover your next favourite band while exploring some of Cardiff’s best independent music venues.
Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October 2026 · Various Cardiff venues
Price: Festival tickets and passes available
6. Cardiff Music City Night Market
Cardiff Market is staying open late for three nights, with music, DJs and food taking over the Victorian building.
Radio Sudd will host live broadcasts, interviews and performances, while DJs and musicians provide the soundtrack from a balcony stage. Market traders will also be serving food and drinks, making this a brilliant free addition to the Sŵn weekend.
Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October 2026 · 5pm–10pm · Cardiff Market
Price: Free entry
7. Poetic Wales: Tia-Renee, Thomas Kenechi and Rithvik Andugula
An evening of spoken word, poetry and live music is heading to the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay.
Featuring Tia-Renee, Thomas Kenechi and Rithvik Andugula, the event combines powerful poetry with an improvising live band. There will also be limited open-mic opportunities for anyone wanting to share their own work.
Friday 16 October 2026 · 6.30pm–10pm · Norwegian Church Arts Centre
Price: Ticketed, advance booking required
8. Wax Tailor: Solo Set + Video Show at CULTVR
One of the standout international performances of the festival sees French electronic and hip-hop producer Wax Tailor heading to CULTVR for his only UK show of 2026.
Known for his cinematic blend of hip-hop, trip-hop, samples and electronic sounds, Wax Tailor will perform a special solo set accompanied by visuals inside CULTVR’s immersive dome. Support comes from Napoleon Da Legend.
Saturday 17 October 2026 · Doors 7pm, Wax Tailor 9pm · CULTVR Lab, Penarth Road
Price: Ticketed, 18+
One Final Weekend of Music Across Cardiff
With everything from intimate poetry nights and experimental art to international DJs and a huge multi-venue festival, Cardiff Music City Festival still has plenty to offer before the celebrations finish on Saturday 17 October.
Whether you’re discovering a new band at Sŵn, exploring the history of Cardiff’s lost music venues or enjoying a free evening at Cardiff Market, there’s no shortage of reasons to get out and experience the city’s music scene.
For the full programme and booking information, visit
Cardiff Music City Festival’s official event guide.
