Immersed Festival has officially announced its return for 2026, revealing the first wave of artists set to perform at the Cardiff event. Scheduled for Saturday, 7th March 2026, the festival will take over the Tramshed with a multi-media showcase headlined by the eclectic six-piece band CVC.
Organised by Creative Industries students from the University of South Wales (USW) and supported by Creative Wales, this year’s festival operates under the theme ‘Believe in Magic’. The event promises to be a month-long celebration of creativity, incorporating music, film, art, fashion, and theatre. Organisers have confirmed that over 30 bands and artists will perform across four themed stages during the main festival day.
Joining headliners CVC on the roster are indie favourites The Pill and Source, the latter being recent winners of the Welsh Music Triskel Prize. The diverse lineup also features emerging talent such as Fler, Galore, The Rogues, Airflo, Bambees, and The Poached. The festival aims to showcase a fusion of established acts and new discoveries, with the main event at Tramshed serving as the culmination of a wider programme of cultural activities.
Tickets for Immersed 26 are on sale now. General admission is priced at £27, while students with a valid NUS card can access a discounted rate of £13. The event is open to those aged 14 and over, although attendees under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Beyond the main stage, the festival includes the community-focused Togetherland stage. This platform is designed to highlight homegrown talent from Cardiff’s Sound Progression alongside international acts provided by BBC Horizons. The wider month-long programme will also feature art installations, film screenings, fringe gigs, and an Immersed TV broadcast in April.
The festival continues its long-standing partnership with Music Declares Emergency, a charity dedicated to raising awareness about climate change within the music industry. Lewis Jamieson, Director of Music Declares Emergency, highlighted the growth of the event, noting that it showcases “the immense creativity of the USW students and the cultural power of Wales as an agent for positive change.”
BBC Radio DJ Huw Stephens has also voiced support for the project, describing Immersed as a “welcome addition to the live music scene in Wales.” The festival’s unique educational model, which places students at the helm of production and curation, was recently recognised with the Teaching Innovation award at the University Alliance Awards.
Prior to the music festival, a Creative Industries Careers & Networking Fair will take place on Thursday, 5th March 2026, at the USW Atrium Campus. Hosted by UK Music, this event will connect future talent with over 50 exhibitors, offering workshops and opportunities in employment and education.
Immersed Festival 2026 Lineup
- CVC
- The Pill
- Source
- Fler
- Galore
- The Rogues
- Airflo
- Bambees
- The Poached
Add as a preferred source