<p><em>From grassroots venues and youth music programs to Mercury Prize winners, early support shapes who gets to make music—and who doesn’t.</em> But is access to music <strong>a right or a privilege?</strong></p><p><em>Music should be for everyone - but is it becoming a luxury only the privileged can afford?</em></p><p>Episode one of season 3 of the DiS podcast, explores how <strong>Youth Music </strong>-<strong></strong>a UK charity funding grassroots projects - is fighting to create fairer opportunities for young musicians facing financial, social, and industry barriers.</p><p>In this episode of the <strong>Drowned in Sound Podcast</strong>, <strong>Sean Adams</strong> speaks with <strong>Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music</strong>, about hidden inequalities in the music industry and the work being done to create opportunities for the next generation of musicians.</p><p>From youth-led projects and grassroots funding to the systemic barriers keeping working-class musicians out, this episode explores how music’s future can be more inclusive, diverse, and fair.</p><p>This episode also features <strong>Ezra Collective’s Mercury Prize-winning speech</strong>, where they credit their success to the support they received early on:</p><p><em>“This is not just Ezra Collective’s moment, this is a moment for every single organisation that’s championing young people making music.”</em></p><p><strong>Read the full speech here:</strong><a href="https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/read-ezra-collectives-inspiring-mercury-prize-acceptance-speech-in-full">The Line of Best Fit</a></p><p>The Drowned in Sound Podcast maps the future of music and explores what's happening in the industry right now, with a strong moral compass. It connects music, culture, and ethics, offering deep dives into the issues shaping the way we create, consume, and sustain music.</p><p>Why This Matters:</p><p>Music has the power to change lives - but only if <strong>everyone</strong> has the chance to participate. <strong>Rising costs, funding cuts, and industry gatekeeping</strong> are making it harder than ever for working-class musicians to break through. In this episode, we explore <strong>what’s at stake, what’s changing, and how we can fight for a better future in music.</strong></p><p>Topics Covered:</p><ul> <li><strong>Why music is increasingly a career for the privileged</strong></li> <li><strong>From youth projects to Mercury Prizes: why access matters</strong></li> <li><strong>How the industry is shutting out working-class talent</strong></li> <li><strong>The critical role of Youth Music in opening doors</strong></li> <li><strong>The funding crisis: why 25% of grassroots projects are at risk</strong></li> <li><strong>“It’s not a pipeline, it’s flight pathways” – how opportunity shapes careers</strong></li> <li><strong>What real change looks like - and how to make it happen</strong></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Further Reading:</p><ul> <li><strong>Youth Music</strong> – Find out more and get involved: <a href="https://youthmusic.org.uk/">https://youthmusic.org.uk/</a></li> <li><strong>"I Will Forever Remain Faithful" Essay</strong> – Read more: <a href="https://oxfordamerican.org/magazine/issue-62-fall-2008/i-will-forever-remain-faithful">Oxford American</a></li> <li><strong>Drowned in S
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