AudioActive is a charity that advances the professional, educational and personal and social development of children and young people of all backgrounds living in the South East of England and provides opportunities for participation in music and creative arts by creating high-quality music-making opportunities.  They aim to address inequalities across the music industry and work with young people as artists, helping them to create what they want to create.

An award from Joanies fund enabled AudioActive to successfully relaunch its youth-led community radio show in 2024.  ‘Future Sounds’ is broadcast on the last Friday of each month on the local youth radio station Platform B.

The show provides young people aged 12–25 with hands-on experience in broadcasting while also serving as a platform to showcase their original music. Participants receive technical training in broadcasting, sound engineering, and UK broadcasting laws and hands-on experience in music broadcast, content production, interviewing and music curation.

During the project, the show featured guest interviews with emerging and established artists from AudioActive’s music projects and for many it was the first time their material was played on air. The show was well received and strengthened partnerships with local youth radio station Platform B.

Content included:

• ‘Sound minds’ – a men’s mental health episode
• ‘Sound spaces’ – a focus on the gender imbalance in the music industry featuring female producers for our ‘Equaliser’ programme
• Other shows were themed around LGBTQ+ topics, Black History Month, and local music scene issues.

One participant JJM, has exemplified the impact of this initiative, growing from a budding artist to an emerging professional through his involvement in the project.

JJM, a young musician from rural East Sussex, initially joined AudioActive’s RAP workshops, where he was introduced to music production and artist development. Through his dedication, he refined his craft, producing a compelling body of work and began to perform live. His commitment led to multiple appearances on Future Sounds Radio, where he was interviewed on key topics and given opportunities to perform and debut his latest releases.

JJM’s presence on the radio show has significantly amplified his reach, helping him cultivate a dedicated audience and increase his online engagement. His features on the programme showcased his music and positioned him as a thoughtful contributor to discussions within the industry. The exposure and experience gained through these sessions have been invaluable in building his confidence and professional skill set.

JJM’s musical output and unwavering dedication led to his acceptance into AudioActive’s ‘Emerge Talent Development Programme’, where he received mentorship, further performance opportunities and industry insights crucial to his growth.

His journey from RAP workshops to national recognition through Future Sounds Radio and Emerge highlights the power of nurturing young talent through accessible platforms. By equipping young people with essential skills in music production, broadcasting, and performance, AudioActive continues to help emerging artists achieve their potential.

Learn more about AudioActive at https://audioactive.org.uk/