SoundLab 2026: Music Bringing Our Community Together

We are incredibly proud of the success of the 2026 Maidenhead Festival SoundLab, which took place on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 April during the Easter school holidays at the Nicholson Shopping Centre.

Over the two days, we welcomed more than 100 people of all ages to take part in what proved to be a truly special experience. From young children and families to adults and older residents, SoundLab once again showed us the extraordinary power of music to connect people, break down barriers and create shared moments of joy and reflection.

Our aim with SoundLab is to create a relaxed, welcoming space where anyone can explore music, whether they are complete beginners, returning to music after a break, or simply curious to try something new. Participants were able to take part in a vibrant programme of interactive workshops focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.

This year’s workshops included Sync Quest DJ sessions, Tankata Drumming, Music for Wellbeing with Anubis Earth, Soul Choir Vibes, Rhyme and Storytime delivered by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Library Service, and a friendly, accessible ukulele workshop with Tabitha. Each session brought something unique, but all shared the same spirit of openness, energy and encouragement.

The Piano Sessions were a real highlight and perfectly captured the spirit of the event. Across the two days, we were delighted to welcome 11 musicians, each performing a 15-minute set and showcasing their individual styles, abilities and musical journeys. From confident young players to more experienced performers, the sessions created a relaxed, respectful listening space that encouraged audiences to pause, reflect and truly connect with the music. For many visitors, it was a rare opportunity to hear such a diverse range of piano performances in an informal, community setting, and the atmosphere throughout was both inspiring and deeply moving, reinforcing how powerful live music can be when given the time and space to be heard.

There were many standout moments across the two days, some of which reminded us exactly why SoundLab is so important. One particularly moving moment was seeing a 91-year-old visitor sit down to listen to the piano players. She became emotional as she told us she used to play herself but can no longer do so due to failing sight. Watching music unlock those memories was deeply powerful.

Another highlight was welcoming back Amir, who first attended SoundLab last year having taught himself to play the piano on a mobile phone without ever touching a real instrument. Inspired by his talent and determination, we bought him a keyboard and connected him with Berkshire Music Trust, who have provided him with free tuition over the past six months. Seeing his confidence, skill and transformation this year was extraordinary, and a clear reminder that access to the right support can be life-changing.
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SoundLab 2026 reaffirmed our belief that music is something we can all enjoy together, regardless of age, background or ability. We are immensely grateful to everyone who took part, supported the sessions and shared these moments with us. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to use music as a way to inspire, connect and strengthen our community.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our partners, whose support played a vital role in making SoundLab 2026 such a success. We are hugely grateful to the Berkshire Music Trust for their continued collaboration and commitment to accessible music-making, and to Tabitha Beaven for delivering a warm, engaging and accessible ukulele workshop that welcomed participants of all abilities. Our thanks also go to Pianoz for the generous loan of a baby grand piano, which elevated the Piano Sessions and gave our performers a truly special instrument to play. Finally, we are incredibly grateful to Areli, our event sponsor, whose support helped make SoundLab possible and ensured we could offer such a rich, inclusive and inspiring experience for our community.

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