How to get programmed on a festival
Festivals are a great opportunity to play to new audiences, but landing a coveted spot requires some serious planning and research - performer applications can open as early as a year in advance.
To help you prepare for the rest of this year’s festival circuit, we’ve pulled together a selection of upcoming Australian festivals that accept performance applications.
We also asked Gill Walker, Artist Coordinator at Western Australia’s long-running Blues at Bridgetown, for her advice on how to give your application the best shot.
- MAKE SURE THE FESTIVAL IS A GOOD FIT
“First and foremost, we are a blues festival,” says Gill. “Every year we get applications from musicians who are clearly not blues artists, trying to stretch the definition of blues to fit what they do. So number one, only apply to appropriate festivals.” - BE THOROUGH
“We are looking for a range of artists across the different blues genres, so the more we know about an artist, the better we know how they might fit in,” says Gill. “Read the application form closely and make sure that all criteria are addressed as fully as possible.” - BE REALISTIC
“Price is important,” says Gill. “We need value for money. Asking a fair price for your performance and being prepared to negotiate with our music programmer if necessary will help. Being flexible about the times and days you’re available to perform is also helpful.” - MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
How well you’ve been received by past audiences is obviously crucial, but it’s also important to make a good impression on festival staff. Programmers, marketers, production and admin staff all play an important role in getting you on stage and getting punters in front of it. Help them do a good job by supplying tech specs, marketing materials and completed paperwork in a timely fashion. They’ll be more likely to welcome you back with open arms the next time you apply. - APPLY EARLY
Don’t wait until the last day to submit your application. “Applying early will increase your chances,” says Gill. So start doing your research and get those applications in!
FIND YOUR FESTIVAL
BLUES/ROOTS/FOLK/JAZZ
FESTIVAL | STATE | DATES | APPLICATIONS |
Sydney Blues & Roots Festival | NSW | 27-29 Jun 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
National Folk Festival | NSW | 13-17 April 2018 | Open now |
Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival | NSW | 27-29 Oct 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Bluesfest | NSW | 29 Mar-2 April 2018 | Not open until August 2017 |
Sydney Blues & Roots Festival | NSW | 27-29 Oct 2017 | Open now |
Mullum Music Festival | NSW | 16-19 Nov 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Illawarra Folk Festival | NSW | 18-21 Jan 2018 | Close 30 September |
Blue Mountains Music Festival | NSW | 16-18 Mar 2018 | Close 31 August |
Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival | NSW | 20-22 Oct 2018 | Open 18 February 2018 |
Majors Creek Festival | NSW | 11-13 Nov 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Turning Wave Festival | NSW | 15-17 Sep 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Neurum Creek Music Festival | QLD | 8-10 Sep 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Tablelands Folk Festival | QLD | 27-29 Oct 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Woodford Folk Festival | QLD | 27 Dec 2017 - 1 Jan 2018 | Closed for 2017 |
Mitchell Creek Rock n' Blues Fest | QLD | 15-18 Sep 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Caloundra Music Festival | QLD | 29 Sep - 2 Oct 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Fleurieu Folk Festival | SA | 27-29 Oct 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
WOMADelaide | SA | 9-12 March 2018 | Close 1 August |
Cygnet Folk Festival | TAS | 12-14 Jan 2018 | Closed for 2018 |
Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival | VIC | 3-5 Nov 2017 | No formal application process and deadline, program booked between Feb-May |
MountainGrass Bluegrass festival | VIC | 17-19 Nov 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Queenscliff Music Festival | VIC | 24-26 Nov 2017 | Applications for 2018 open 1 March |
Yackandandah Folk Festival | VIC | 24-26 March 2017 | Applications for 2018 open in April |
Bendigo Blues and Roots | VIC | 9-12 Nov 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Healesville Festival | VIC | 10-12 Nov 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Blues at Bridgetown | WA | 10-12 Nov 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Fairbridge Festival | WA | 21-24 April 2018 | Open now |
COUNTRY
FESTIVAL | STATE | DATE | APPLY |
Gympie Muster | QLD | 24-27 Aug 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Burra Music Festival | SA | 10-12 Nov 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Patchewollock Music Festival | VIC | 20-22 Oct 2017 | Open now |
Mildura Country Music Festival | VIC | 29 Sep-8 Oct 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Tamworth Country Music Festival | NSW | 19-28 Jan 2018 | Approach venues directly |
ELECTRONIC/DANCE
FESTIVAL | STATE | DATE | APPLY |
Earthcore Festival | Various | Various | Open now |
Subsonic Music Festival | NSW | 1-3 Dec 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Earth Frequency Festival | QLD | 17-20 Feb 2018 | Close 30 September |
FRINGE/MULTI
FESTIVAL | STATE | DATE | APPLY |
Wide Open Space Festival | NT | 28-30 April 2018 | Close 23 Dec 2017 |
Adelaide Fringe Festival | SA | February 2018 | Applications open 16 Aug |
Mount Eliza Music Festival | VIC | 4 Feb 2018 | Closed for 2018 |
Sydney Fringe Festival | NSW | September 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Melbourne Fringe Festival | VIC | 14 Sep - 1 Oct 2017 | Closed for 2017 |
Rainbow Serpent | VIC | 26-29 Jan 2018 | Open now for 2018 |
Riverboats Music Festival | VIC | 16-18 Feb 2018 | No formal application, apply before October for 2018 |
The Basin Music Festival | VIC | 24-26 March 2018 | Not open yet for 2018 |