# Dedicated Inclusive Music-Exploration Events Drake Music Hosted the First-Ever DMLab Festival Day By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-06-23 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drake-music References: [drakemusic.org](https://www.drakemusic.org/news/dmlab-festival-day-24-may/)  Drake Music hosted the first-ever DMLab Festival Day at Rich Mix in London on Sunday 24 May. This full-day event explored music, instruments, and technology by and for Disabled and Non-Disabled, d/Deaf and neurodivergent musicians and makers. Drake Music's DMLab Festival Day features three main segments — a hands-on 'Instrument Building Workshop' using new Spoke Boards and basic crafting materials to create accessible touch-based instruments, an afternoon session titled 'Exploring Accessible Music Tech' with presentations and demonstrations from various makers and musicians, as well as an evening live performance showcase called 'DMLab: LIVE,' featuring Clarion Trio, Liza Bec with her Roborecorder, Tim Palm with live electronics, and DJ Jeffo from Deaf Rave. The entire event was available via [YouTube](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clnicbarcelona) livestream and offered Woojer haptic vests on-site for audience feedback. The festival was designed to be [fully accessible](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/accessibility-festival-week) with BSL interpretation, live captions, and an online access guide. Image Credit: Drake Music ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 11% | Freshness: 82% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Activism](https://www.trendhunter.com/activism) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Inclusive Music Labs:** Accessible co-creation spaces are reshaping music experimentation by bringing Disabled, d/Deaf, neurodivergent, and non-disabled makers into shared environments where new instruments and performance formats can emerge. - **Haptic Audience Experiences:** Haptic wearables introduce tactile feedback as a parallel layer of live entertainment, expanding how concerts, festivals, and digital broadcasts can be experienced beyond sound alone. - **DIY Accessible Instruments:** Low-cost boards, craft materials, and modular interfaces are widening participation in instrument design, creating room for customizable tools built around diverse physical and sensory needs. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Music Technology:** Adaptive hardware, accessible software, and experimental interfaces signal a growing market for music tools designed around a broader spectrum of creators and performers. - **Live Events:** Hybrid festivals with captions, sign-language interpretation, livestreams, haptics, and access guides reflect a shift toward event models where accessibility is integrated into the core experience. - **Assistive Technology:** Creative applications of assistive design are expanding beyond healthcare and education into cultural participation, positioning accessibility as a driver of entertainment innovation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Immersive Music Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spotify-x-gorillaz.md) - [Inclusive Museum Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inclusive-museum-design.md) - [Inclusive Soccer Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inclusive-soccer-experience.md) - [Music-Driven Coding Lessons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/your-voice-is-power.md) - [Inclusive Tech Expos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-abilities-expo.md) - [Accessible Biennale Activations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/accessible-biennale.md) - [Accessible Musical Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/accessible-musical-experiences.md) - [Personal Listening Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elevate-festival.md) - [Accessibility-Focused Drone Light Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/purple-tuesday.md)