IMMERSED 25: WHERE CREATIVITY MEETS REGENERATION

MULTI-MEDIA FESTIVAL CURATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES CREATIVE INDUSTRIES STUDENTS RETURNS TO CARDIFF

ARTISTS ANNOUNCED INCLUDE:
FRANKIE STEW & HARVEY GUNN
PORIJ
DOUVELLE19
HALF HAPPY
PAPA JUPES T.C.
WATERPISTOL
+ MANY MORE

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

Some of the most exciting names in indie, hip-hop and dance music are set to descend upon Cardiff as the lineup for Immersed 25 is unveiled. Taking place on 22 March 2025, Immersed 25 will showcase a diverse range of talent and creative expression at Tramshed, Cardiff.

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 theme of ‘Regeneration’, the festival reimagines a sustainable future, inspiring positive change across music, film, art, theatre and fashion.

Following their sell-out Bristol show, headline performance at London’s Roundhouse, and Australia and New Zealand tour, Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn will make their highly anticipated Welsh debut. Known for their collaborations with artists like Loyle Carner, Sam Tompkins, and Kojey Radical, this gig promises to be an unmissable night of high-energy and emotional performance from the Brighton-based rap duo.
Main support is provided by Porij, bringing their energetic fusion of funk, synth-pop and lo-fi to the Immersed main stage, along with DJ & Producer Douvelle19 who will be spinning his unique brand of garage-inspired dance music.

Over thirty artists and bands, including Cardiff’s community music initiative Sound Progression, will perform across four stages at the seventh edition of the festival. In addition to the main event at Tramshed, Immersed 25 will feature a month-long celebration of creativity, showcasing film screenings, art installations, fringe gigs, and the Immersed TV broadcast. To further support the Welsh live event sector, an industry-leading skills development programme will offer valuable insights into festival production. A series of free workshops led by industry experts will cover key areas such as sustainable and creative production, and delve into the intricacies of live sound and lighting. Additionally, over 40 exhibitors will showcase their opportunities at the Creative Industries Careers & Network Fair on 20 March, 2025. South Wales’ creative community can explore diverse career paths and network with industry leaders at insightful mentor-led roundtable
discussions.

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.”

Adam Williams, Dean of Faculty of Business & Creative Industries, University of South Wales said:

“Immersed 2025 is a powerful testament to the creativity, innovation, and commitment of our students to address the biggest challenges of our time. Through the lens of ‘Regeneration,’ this year’s festival is not just a celebration of music, film, art, and fashion – it’s a call to action. Together with Creative Wales and Music Declares Emergency, we’re reimagining what a sustainable future looks like, harnessing the energy and imagination of the next generation of creators to inspire positive change.”

Lewis Jamieson, Director of Music Declares Emergency said:

“Immersed has grown into a major event in the UK music calendar and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team at USW and the students. Music Declares Emergency is honoured to partner with Immersed and we look forward to this year’s work around ‘regeneration’, a key part of the journey towards a better future for all life on earth that is often overlooked in the rightly urgent concern to arrest and reverse the climate emergency.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Immersed Festival website.