Young people don’t just perform at Bristol Beacon. They help shape what happens here.
Fusion Fest was a two-day festival at Bristol Beacon celebrating the music, creativity and talent of young people, with performances, workshops and activities taking place across the building. Created by young people, for everyone, the festival was shaped from the ground up by Bristol Beacon’s Youth Voice Advisory Committee, with young people involved in everything from naming the festival to performing on stage.
For many of the young people involved, it was their first opportunity to experience what happens behind the scenes of a major music festival. Along the way, they developed creative, collaborative and leadership skills while discovering how their ideas can make a genuine difference.
Why youth voice matters
One of Bristol Beacon’s aims is to give young people meaningful opportunities to influence the creative work we do.
That means listening to their ideas, trusting their judgement and giving them ownership over decisions – not simply asking for feedback once plans have already been made. Fusion Fest became a chance to put that into practice.
Eleven young people aged 11–17, representing ensembles and programmes from across Bristol Beacon, worked together over a series of creative workshops to imagine a festival they would want to attend themselves.
Creating Fusion Fest together
Youth Voice Advisory Committee
Together, the committee explored what makes a great festival experience.
They discussed how they wanted audiences to feel, what values should be reflected throughout the event and how the festival should represent the diverse community of young musicians at Bristol Beacon.
Those conversations shaped every stage of development.
The group created moodboards that inspired the visual identity, chose the festival’s name, selected artwork, influenced venue decoration and helped define the overall atmosphere of the weekend.
The name Fusion Fest reflected what mattered most to them: bringing together different musical styles, cultures, communities and creative voices into one shared celebration.
More than a festival
Creating Fusion Fest wasn’t simply about producing an event. It gave young people experience of creative decision-making, collaboration, marketing, branding and event production – skills that are rarely visible from the audience.
Throughout the process they worked alongside designers, marketers and producers, seeing first-hand how ideas develop into a live public event.
By trusting young people with real responsibility, the project helped build confidence while demonstrating that their creativity has value beyond the stage.
Festival visual design in development
I wanted to be on the festival Youth Committee because I thought that it was a good opportunity to get an insight into festivals and Bristol Beacon, but I also have interest in this line of work for the future.
Everything we said had a direct impact, and being able to actually name the festival was very cool. The space was very supportive and open which led to our sessions being very successful and fun.
Hopefully now I have a bit more experience in this section of the industry I have better chances of getting a job for the future.’’
Ned, Youth Voice Commitee member & member of Bristol Youth Studios
Young people telling the story
During the festival weekend, members of the committee also became content creators, taking over Bristol Beacon’s social media channels.
Interviewing performers, filming behind the scenes and capturing the atmosphere gave them another opportunity to build creative skills while sharing the festival from a young person’s perspective.
Personalised graphics were also created for committee members to celebrate and promote their involvement across their own social media channels.
Looking ahead
Fusion Fest demonstrated what’s possible when young people are trusted as creative collaborators rather than simply participants.
Their ideas shaped the festival’s identity, but the impact reached far beyond one weekend.
Through opportunities like our Youth Voice Advisory Committee, Bristol Beacon continues to create spaces where young people can develop confidence, leadership and creative skills while helping shape the future of music and culture in Bristol.
Thank you
Thank you to Andrew Garrad and Emma Balfour for their support of Fusion Fest.
We are also grateful to all our supporters who help deliver our Young Musicians Programme, including:
- John Bretten Grassroots Memorial Fund via Quartet Community Foundation
- Sheila Pollard Grassroots Fund via Quartet Community Foundation
- The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
- David and Lesley Freed
- Paul and Joanna Pearson
- Patrick Stonehewer and Sandy Bowcock
- Ian and Lois Thorn
- Three Monkies Trust
Be Creative
Be Creative
We believe in the power of music to inspire, teach and transform lives. Learn an instrument, join an ensemble, access artist mentorship opportunities.
More community programmes
More community programmes
Our community programmes – Creative Health & Wellbeing, Care Experienced Young People, Music & Disability, Festivals & Events – bring people together through the power of music.