The Sound Lab are delighted to announce the return of the New Sounds Academy programme for 2026, in partnership with the National Leadership Network and Cove Park. 

First launched back in 2021, New Sounds Academy was designed to ensure that up-and-coming musicians who experience barriers in their career could get the support they need in order to kick on in their professional development. From recording with a producer and releasing music, to performing live, getting on the radio and networking, 4 young musicians were given the tools and support that they needed in order to hone their sound and develop their talent over 2 years.

This time around it's a 1 year programme, which has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the National Leadership Network (NLN). Promoting leadership in all its different shapes and forms, the NLN is a national project led by young people with care experience. As such, New Sounds Academy 2026 is focused on providing development opportunities for care experienced musicians.

What kind of support will I get?
4 musicians will each get:

• 50 hours of flexible tuition and mentoring from multiple tutors, producers and industry experts, chosen to match your interests and aspirations. Your tuition hours are fully flexible, and designed to fit around the other things you've got going on, whether that's college, uni, work or school.
• £400 to invest in your creative development, as part of your Artist Development Plan. You could spend this on new instruments, equipment or software, more studio time, it's up to you. Is there one bit of kit that will help you to level up creatively? Now's the time to get it!
• A weekend-long writing retreat at internationally renowned creative residency Cove Park, set in the stunning Argyll countryside.
• Support to write, record, release and perform your music, as well as opportunities to network, meet new people and get your music out there.
• Music business support, covering everything from sync plays and growing your audience on social media to writing credits and PRS​.
• Support from a peer mentor.

How to Apply:
We'll ask you: 

• To share any demo's / videos / mixes you've made so far. These don't have to be professional; can be phone recordings or social media videos.
• To describe the music you make and like, and who your influences are,
• To tell us about your creative process and the instruments / equipment / software you use
• A bit about your ambitions, and your experiences so far. 

The deadline for applications is midnight on Wed 11th March.
If you hate forms, you can answer all the questions by audio/video file if you prefer, and email it to [email protected] stating your name and that you're applying to New Sounds Academy.
For the full set of questions, and to apply click the link below: 

Who is it for?
New Sounds Academy is designed to help care experienced musicians to develop their talent and creative potential. Applicants should be 16-30, live within Glasgow (or be able to travel to Glasgow for their sessions) and make their own music.

It is open to musicians from any genre who are interested in pursuing a career in music. Punks, producers, DJ's, rappers, songwriters, singers  - you name it. If you're looking for support to level up, we want to hear from you. 

The Sound Lab aligns with Who Cares? Scotland and others in adopting a broad, inclusive definition of the term ‘care experienced’. This project is open to anyone with experience of: residential care; foster care; secure care; kinship care; those looked after at home with the help of social work; of who have experience of a permanence order. 

Not sure if you're eligible? Just ask us! We want to hear from you either way. Drop an email to [email protected] or phone/WhatsApp us on 07388 000 935.  

Apply to New Sounds Academy

About Cove Park 
Currently celebrating it's 25th Anniversary, Cove Park is an international residency based on an outstanding 50-acre rural site in Argyll, on Scotland’s west coast. Their programme of residencies, commissions, and collaborative projects respond to and promote the diversity of contemporary artistic practice. They support artists, creative practitioners, and researchers to develop and produce ambitious, innovative, and ground-breaking new work for audiences and participants across Scotland and beyond.
The Sound Lab are delighted to be partnering with Cove Park for the first time as part of New Sounds Academy 2026.