On 31/12/2025, Dave Acton, co-Director and co-Founder of the multimedia company Larynx Entertainment, announced that he was taking the difficult decision to bring the company to an end on Instagram. 

If one takes a look at that post, you’ll see an endless amount of support for an organisation that is an absolute pillar to the music community in Wales; Larynx is, by far, the most important organisation documenting, connecting, platforming and supporting Music of Black Origin (MOBO) across Wales. They are second to none at what they do, and due to inadequate support, they feel forced to take this heartbreaking decision. The loss of this organisation would bring shame to our scene, our culture, our communities and quite frankly, our nation as a whole. The fact that Dave is even in this position in the first place, demonstrates a lack of strategic support, guidance and platforming, from some of our country’s most prominent funders. It is apparent, to anyone that has paid attention to the arts and culture scene in Wales over the years, that the work Larynx do make them a significant asset to Wales’ arts and culture sector. To me, and several others in our community, they provide immeasurable value, and should be an organisation that are proudly supported and platformed, after years of them giving everything they can to support musicians and artists across the country with minimal financial or structural support. 

From 2021-2025, I was the Arts Council of Wales’ Agent for Change. I am perhaps the only person from my background with an intimate, first-hand knowledge, and experience, of the funding system here in Wales. I will continue to use my experiences to ensure that the wool is not pulled over our eyes. Throughout my tenure, I saw organisations that were better connected, or more skilled at writing funding bids, or that had great relationships with individuals with influence in funding organisations, receive funding time and time again. Many of these organisations don’t even have a fraction of the impact that Larynx Entertainment have but continuously receive funding with little to no oversight. Due to the competitive, convoluted and bureaucratic nature of funding, many individuals and organisations who would benefit most from financial and business support are often left fighting for scraps or simply burning themselves out due to the innate difficulties built-in to the system. I fought with everything I had to challenge this system as much as I could but as the great Audre Lorde states ‘the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house’. However, the strength of the community can never be underestimated and I know that the people will fight right until the bitter end to ensure that Dave and Larynx Entertainment receive the support that they deserve. I also know, from my previous experience, that most funders have pots of funding that they can give to organisations or projects that they deem to be of strategic importance that require less red tape. We don’t care where the money comes from. All we ask is that public funding is used to support people that are actually doing important work with genuine impact.

I do not claim to be a spokesperson for the ‘scene’; I just care deeply about the work that Larynx do, and I recognise them as the most important organisation for music in the arts and culture sector in Wales. I also know that many people would share this same sentiment. With all that being said, I am calling on all the national public bodies and funders to reach the same recognition. I am calling for a meeting with all major national funders, that should be open and transparent to all stakeholders, and all those who care about MOBO music, to discuss a way forward that secures the future of Larynx Entertainment, and provides specialised support, both financially and structurally, to ensure that we do not lose one of our national treasures.