Following its launch, Homegrown attracted more than 50 applications from across Wolverhampton, the Black Country and the wider Midlands – a clear indication of the depth of untapped talent in the region.
Eleven artists aged 16–30 were shortlisted to form the first Homegrown cohort.
The group spanned singers, rappers and musicians working across an impressive range of genres, including Punjabi rap, contemporary Punjabi vocals, pop, R&B, neo-soul, Indian classical music, rock and heavy metal. Together, they reflected a strong gender balance and a breadth of musical identity rarely seen within a single development programme.
Over six weeks, participants were supported through professional studio sessions, one-to-one mentoring and hands-on industry guidance covering performance, production and music business development. Each artist completed a fully mixed and mastered original track as part of the programme, equipping them with the tools and confidence to continue progressing in their music journey beyond Homegrown.
Live Showcase – Thursday 12 March 2026
The programme culminated in a high-profile live showcase at Vaal & Vaal, where the cohort performed their newly created music in front of invited industry guests, media, leading creatives and cultural stakeholders.
The event attracted over 100 attendees and marked both the public debut of the Homegrown artists and a defining moment in the launch of Playback Creates as a new cultural force in the region.
It provided a rare opportunity to experience the breadth of emerging South Asian music talent in Wolverhampton and the Black Country, meet the artists behind the work, and connect with the mentors and partners shaping the programme’s future.