Learning to play a musical instrument can be a life-changing experience.

But with the cost-of-living crisis continuing to bite, the significant expense of paying for music lessons can prove too much of a barrier for many parents. Fortunately, there’s an organisation who are determined to change things.

The Sound Lab, set to celebrate its 25th birthday next month, is a Glasgow-based charity who delivers free, high-level music tuition to young people. Those who use their services often face enduring systemic, cultural and practical barriers to accessing support, including care experienced young people, those with experience of the asylum system and those with disabilities. 

The charity was founded in Tollcross in 2003, aiming to eradicate barriers to the arts that young people might encounter. Their work includes providing instrument loans, covering travel costs, and giving access to free expert tuition.

But far from dragging children through a fixed, school-like curriculum, The Sound Lab offers young people the chance to shape the tuition they want.

“Lessons can range from DJ and hip-hop tuition to songwriting, drums, production, podcasting and graphic design,” explains The Sound Lab chair Paul Sullivan. “Anything creative, we can deliver. We have grown our staff team and are looking to expand our offer of support to young people across Glasgow and beyond. 

(Image: Eoin Carey)


“We're proud to have built up the charity as a small group of volunteers to a place where we’re now supporting hundreds of young people all across Glasgow and beyond. All children and young people deserve opportunities to be creative, but too often there are barriers to accessing support.”

While their work makes a huge difference to the young people they support, The Sound Lab is not immune to the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis themselves. With that in mind, they are hosting a special 'Music Makes Glasgow' fundraising event at Drygate on Saturday October 12, to celebrate 25 years since the charity was founded.

(Image: The Sound Lab)

The event will have a range of Sound Lab tutors, students, friends and special guests playing, including Terra Kin, Free Love (DJ), Butho the Warrior, Haiver, Nicky Murray and Eyve. They will also have screen printing workshops, DJ workshops and a raffle, with a film being shown to highlight the impact the charity has had.

Tickets are available on Brown Paper Tickets, to find out more visit www.thesoundlab.org.uk.