Developing a Youth Festival for Southampton

Project Overview

On Saturday 7th September 2024, Southampton Forward partnered with SoCo Music Project to create a Youth Festival, designed by and for the city’s young people

From October to December 2023, SoCo engaged with over 200 young people from communities across Southampton, ensuring their voices and ideas were at the heart of the festival.

Youth-Led Design and Learning Experience

Co-designed by the young people who will be at the core of the festival. SoCo empowered these young individuals, not only by involving them in the creative process but also by providing them with an invaluable learning experience. Through school assemblies, group work, and open music sessions, young people were given the platform to share their visions for the festival, shaping every aspect from the ground up.

Key Findings from the Research

The engagement program produced insightful data that will guide the festival’s development:

• Over 200 young people from neighbourhoods like Thornhill, Millbrook, Lordshill, and Central Southampton were engaged.
• 80 survey responses were collected, offering detailed feedback on the types of creative activities young people enjoy.
• 62 young people expressed a strong desire for involvement and ownership, committing to actively help develop the festival.

Building on this research, these 62 young people have spent months working closely with SoCo to co-create a free festival that showcases their talents and creativity.

Their vision and efforts came to to life in a vibrant festival at Hoglands Park on 7th September, from 12 PM to 6 PM.

The two main stages featured Southampton’s finest up-and-coming bands, musicians, soloists, and DJs—all handpicked by the young people who organised this festival.

Beyond the music, the festival included stalls from local independent vendors, offering everything from face painting to crafts and clothing. There were also creative workshops, on offer that included graffiti sessions and singing lessons with our expert tutors, which provided a glimpse into the artistic process and allowed anyone inspired by the day to get involved.

This festival, shaped and driven by the youth of our city, is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and collaboration.