Immersed Festival Reveals 2026 Lineup

IMMERSED FESTIVAL REVEALS 2026 LINEUP

ARTISTS INCLUDE: CVC | THE PILL | SOURCE | FLER | GALORE | THE ROGUES | AIRFLO |

BAMBEES | THE POACHED + MANY MORE

The multi-media festival curated by The University of South Wales creative industries students and supported by Creative Wales, returns to Cardiff in March.

“Immersed’s focus on talent, creativity and production is invaluable” Huw Stephens

Immersed Festival returns for 2026 with an action-packed fusion of music, film, art, fashion and theatre for a month-long celebration of creativity and imagination, featuring over 30 bands and artists across four themed stages. Kicking off on Saturday 7th March 2026, Immersed 26 will showcase a diverse range of talent and creative expression in Cardiff.

Headlining the main festival event at leading live music venue, Tramshed, are acclaimed eclectic six-piece and Drowned In Sound 'Must-See Live Act' CVC, making their Immersed debut after a string of sold-out shows. CVC will be joined by indie favourites The Pill and Welsh Music Triskel Prize winners Source, together creating an unforgettable night of sonic brilliance. Expect electrifying sound, magnetic stage presence, and brand-new material set to ignite the crowd.

Huw Stephens, BBC Radio DJ and recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of South Wales said: “Immersed has become a welcome addition to the live music scene in Wales. Its focus on talent, creativity and production is invaluable, and its work with students in nurturing their community is highly successful. The event itself is professionally delivered, with a special experience for those involved.”

The month-long celebration at Immersed 26 comes packed with art installation showcases, film screenings, fringe gigs, and the Immersed TV broadcast in April. In addition to the newly themed ‘Believe in Magic’ main stage at Tramshed, the festival boasts the community-focused Togetherland stage, which will feature homegrown talent from Cardiff’s Sound Progression and international acts courtesy of BBC Horizons.

Curated by The University of South Wales creative industries students and supported by Creative Wales, the festival raises awareness for Music Declares Emergency, the industry's climate change awareness charity. Under the 2026 theme ‘Believe in Magic’, the festival invites participants to challenge logic, inspire curiosity, and harness creativity as a powerful force for hope and positive change in the world.

Lewis Jamieson, Director of Music Declares Emergency said: “Since our first collaboration in 2022, Music Declares Emergency has been proud to be a partner of Immersed. We have seen the event grow every year, highlighting the immense creativity of the USW students and the cultural power of Wales as an agent for positive change. This year’s theme, ‘Believe in Magic’, encapsulates that positivity and sense of belief in the creative arts as a force for good. We look forward to being in Cardiff in March for the biggest Immersed yet.

The festival recently cemented its status as an innovative, industry-leading initiative by winning the prestigious Teaching Innovation category at the University Alliance Awards, recognising its outstanding contribution to higher education.

Adam Williams, Dean of Faculty of Business and Creative Industries University of South Wales added, “Immersed showcases the creativity, collaboration and industry engagement that define USW. Each year, our students and staff deliver a world-class festival shaped by imagination and shared purpose. With the team recently recognised with a Teaching Innovation Award for our practice-led approach, ‘Believe in Magic’ reflects the impact of learning rooted in real experience and creative ambition.

Tickets are now on sale priced from £13 for students and £27 for general admission. For more information and to purchase, visit the Immersed Festival website www.immersed.co.uk and See Tickets.

Festival Details:

• Music Festival: Saturday, 7th March 2026, Tramshed, Cardiff (Doors 3pm / 14+ event)

• Theme: Believe in Magic (Imagination and creative possibility as a force for positive change)

• Tickets: £27 for the general public and £13 for students with a valid NUS cards. (14+, Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult 18+). From www.immersed.co.uk and See Tickets

• Immersed Festival is curated by creative industries students from the University of South Wales and supported by Creative Wales and Cardiff Music City to raise awareness for Music Declares Emergency, the industry’s climate change charity.

• Music Declares Emergency has been harnessing the power of music to put the climate emergency on the front page of culture for five years. It was founded by a group of artists, music industry professionals and organisations. The NO MUSIC ON A DEAD PLANET campaign has shifted the dynamic of climate communications by on-boarding messengers of global impact, from Billie Eilish and Radiohead to the London Symphony Orchestra and Julian Lloyd Webber.

• Following the restorative ethos of ‘Regeneration’ (2025), Immersed 26 embraces ‘Believe in Magic’. This year the festival is a month-long celebration of wonder, imagination, and creative possibility, inviting participants to explore the transformative power of creativity to shape a brighter future and drive positive change.

• Immersed 26 offers four stages featuring live music, immersive theatre, and short film screenings, alongside industry-leading workshops, a vibrant Creative Industries Careers & Networking Fair, art installations, fringe gigs, and the Immersed! TV broadcast. Immersed continues its commitment to climate action and sustainability in partnership with Music Declares Emergency.

• Partners/Sponsors: Music Declares Emergency, Creative Wales, Cardiff Music City, USW, Sound Progression, UK Music, Soliphilia (Sustainability / Green Touring), Climate Change Theatre Action, Excite International Music Exchange, Horizons / Gorwelion and Tramshed.

• To further support the Welsh live event sector and nurture the next generation of talent, the festival kicks off with a major industry event: Creative Industries Careers & Networking Fair: Thursday, 5th March 2026. Hosted by UK Music, the voice of the UK’s music industry, and supported by Creative Wales, the Careers Fair returns to the USW Atrium Campus. Designed to connect forward-thinking organisations with future talent, the event brings together over 50 exhibitors offering opportunities in employment, education, and volunteering. Attendees can experience a full day of inspiration and discovery with interactive workshops and roundtable sessions led by industry professionals.