Radio Maker Festival 2026
A 3-day gathering of radio makers from around the UK and the world exploring fresh ways of using the arts, a deep sense of place, and improvisation to create inventive radio and sound-art.
When & where
- FromFri 23rd Oct '26, 12:00pm
- UntilSun 25th Oct '26, 2:00pm
- WhereChapel FM Arts Centre Map
Tickets
- TypeRadio Maker Festival
- CostYou decide what to pay...
- Details
Fees for Radio Maker are on a sliding scale:
If you have the means and wish to pay the full value amount, it is £100 (+ VAT) for the weekend.
If you are a member of our local community or are a radio maker or artist or otherwise with fewer means, you can reserve a community member & friends rate ticket – for a £20 (+VAT) for the weekend.
Finally, if you wish to apply for a full-scholarship to attend for free, please email: tony@chapelfm.co.uk
What is the role of radio in a changing world?
Where do poetry, songwriting, audio drama and story telling sit within the output of a radio station?
If Radio is a canvas, what are the colours?
Where’s the sweet spot between structure and improvisation?
Join us 23rd to 25th October for the first edition of this new annual festival bringing together inventive, artistic radio makers from our community of East Leeds and the wider world.
The festival will consist of around 45 people with prior experience in radio, sound-art, audio journalism, podcasting, and related ways of working.
Participants will take part in workshops and be guided in a process of working in small groups go out to explore and gathering sounds and stories from our local area (historic markets, forest gardens, historic working class pubs, asylum seeker communities, mysterious libraries) and then actually dig in to create short audio features to share in our magical Chapel FM Radio Theatre.
We will also have shared meals of global food, live music and sharing of art including special guests La Compagnie du Tire-Laine music ensemble from our twin city of Lille, France and socialising into the evening.
Radio Maker participants will also have the option of home stays with people from our community in Leeds.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact tony@chapelfm.co.uk
- 1pm to 6pm – Welcome, overview of the weekend, intro workshops.
- 6pm – Concert in the Seacroft Forest Gardens with our artistic friends from Lille, France “La Compagnie du Tire-Laine”
- 7:30pm – Dinner at Chapel FM [optional]
- 10am – Gather at Chapel FM
- 10:30am to 1pm – Groups set off to gather stories and inspiration from one of three sites
- Lunch
- 2pm to 6pm – Sound Story shaping
- 6:30pm – Dinner
- 7:30pm – Radio Cabaret Open Mic [optional]
- 10am-12noon – Gather at Chapel FM / brunch / final preparations for Sound Story sharings
- 1pm to 3pm – Sound Story Listening Party
- Option to attend evening concert by Tire-Laine