Do you want to to expand your audience, get the attention of industry professionals, connect with more musicians, and have an incredible time?
If you answered yes to any of the above, chances are you already know that playing music festivals is a surefire way to make those dreams come true. The question is, where to start?
With so many festivals out there, which ones are the right ones for you to submit to in hopes of playing live?
We know there are so many factors that go into whether a gig is right for you, so we've rounded up a list of the festivals we think should be on your radar, and done the legwork for you so you've got all the information you need to make a decision.
Here are 12 of our favorite festivals this season for up and coming artists:
1. Elements Festival
Dates & Location: May 19-22 | Lakewood, PA
The 411: This multi-day festival focuses on music, art, wellness and other interactive activities among its sprawling forests and summer-camp property. Only 3 Sonicbids acts will be chosen, so don’t wait! Those with a strong PA following preferred.
Compensation: TBD, food and drink tickets provided
Genres: Electronic, EDM, House, Drum & Bass, Dance, DJs
Submission Deadline: March 28, 2020
Fee to Apply: Free for Gig Seeker Pro subscribers
Apply to Elements Festival on Sonicbids
2. Musikfest
Dates & Location: Jul 31 – Aug 09 | Bethlehem, PA
The 411: Celebrating its 37th year, Musikfest 2020 will host 500+ performers to play for an international audience of approximately 1 million attendees for 10 days of non-stop music across 16 different stages. Up to 75 bands from Sonicbids will be chosen.
Compensation: $100-$1000
Genres: Family-friendly Rock, Folk/Americana, World/Celtic/Reggae, Jazz, Soul/R&B, Funk and others. Originals & covers welcome.
Submission Deadline: February 28, 2020
Fee to Apply: $15
Apply to Musikfest on Sonicbids
3. East Coast Music Conference (ECMC)
Dates & Location: June 4-6 | Norfolk, VA
The 411: This event boasts unique performance opportunities, not to mention panels and workshops by top industry professionals and executives. 2019 speakers included Warped Tour Founder Kevin Lyman, CI Records Founder Jeremy Weiss, Collective Entertainment Founder Emily White, author and career coach Matt Starr, and many more. Up to 50 Sonicbids acts will be selected, most importantly looking for a strong stage presence regardless of genre.
Compensation: TBD
Genres: All genres welcome
Submission Deadline: February 28, 2020
Fee to Apply: $10. Complete the application and receive a free full conference pass!
4. Imagine Festival
Dates & Location: September 18-20 | Atlanta, GA
The 411: Up to 3 Sonicbids artists will be chosen to play this electronic dance music and art festival. You can expect interactive entertainment, mesmerizing art installations and immersive experiences, so acts with visual components and elements pay attention! This event focuses on state-of-the-art lights and sound entertainment and production. Think outdoor camping meets a Cirque du Soleil fantasyland.
Compensation: TBD
Genres: EDM, Electronic, bands & DJs with strong online presence
Submission Deadline: May 20, 2020
Fee to Apply: Free for Gig Seeker Pro Subscribers
Apply to Imagine Festival on Sonicbids
5. A3C Festival (Opens in February)
Dates & Location: Fall 2020 TBA | Atlanta, GA
The 411: The preeminent hip-hop event in the US, A3C [All 3 Coasts] Festival & Conference has been breaking some of the biggest names in hip-hop since '05. Every year, it showcases 1,000 artists from living legends to aspiring talent. A3C also provide invaluable networking learning and career development opportunities for artists and producers.
“A3C is the absolute best festival for rising Hip Hop talent. Their artist-first approach is priceless.” – Justin Hunte (HipHopDX Editor-In-Chief)
Compensation: Up to $500
Genres: Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, Soul
Submission Deadline: September 2020 (Exact Date TBA)
Fee to Apply: TBA
6. National Folk Festival
Dates & Location: September 11-13 | Salisbury, MD
The 411: 2020 marks the 80th celebration of the nation’s longest-running multicultural festival of traditional arts. This event is rooted in storytelling and community building. Audiences usually reach up to 175,000 attendees and the event hosts 30 performing artists on 7 different outdoor stages.
Compensation: TBD
Genres: Your music must adhere to the definition of Folk & Traditional Arts as provided by the NEA (click the link above for more details), Appalachian, African Diaspora, Cowboy, Eastern European, Novelty/Variety, and Storytelling
Submission Deadline: April 30, 2020
Fee to Apply: Free for Gig Seeker Pro Subscribers
Apply to National Folk Festival on Sonicbids
7. Rocky Mountain Folks Festival - Songwriter Showcase
Dates & Location: August 7-9 | Lyons, CO
The 411: More than a bluegrass festival, this is a songwriting competition! Artists may enter up to 2 songs each. Songs must be entered in separate submissions. Contestants are judged on the quality of the song's composition, vocal rendering, and performance quality. They will choose up to 10 Sonicbids submissions. Click the link above for more details on submitting your work!
Compensation: Finalists receive a camping/festival pass & will perform on the main stages. Contest winner will perform a full set on the main stage at the 2021 festival!
Genres: Independent solo artists who write & perform original work in the singer-songwriter, Americana, folk, pop, and bluegrass genres
Submission Deadline: May 22, 2020
Fee to Apply: $10
Apply to Rocky Mountain Folks Fest on Sonicbids
8. Telluride Bluegrass Festival - Troubadour Competition
Dates & Location: June 18-21 | Telluride, CO
The 411: Another songwriting competition! The festival has existed since 1991 and this year’s festival will give up to 10 Sonicbids artists the chance to perform in Elks Park throughout the festival (the winner will play the main stage!). You can submit up to 2 songs in separate submissions, judged on song composition, vocal & instrumental performance, and overall quality. Click the link above for more details competition details.
Compensation: Finalists will receive cash and prizes, in addition to performing during the festival, a 4-day camping pass, performance coaching, a KOTO-FM radio slot, and more!
Genres: Independent solo artists who write & perform original work in the singer-songwriter, Americana, folk, pop, and bluegrass genres
Submission Deadline: April 3, 2020
Fee to Apply: $10
Apply to Telluride Bluegrass Festival on Sonicbids
9. David vs Goliath Music Festival & Series
Dates & Location: January 2 - May 31 | New York, NY
The 411: Submit to be considered to play in the David vs Goliath Monthly Music Series, performing at venues such as Bowery Electric, Cin-M-ArtSpace17, Fontana's and Cin-M-Art Space43 Tribeca and others, celebrating the grassroots support of a variety of art across many disciplines.
Compensation: N/A
Genres: Open to all genres and artists (fine arts, sculpture, illustration, photography, graffiti, video and more), must cover your own travel/accommodations
Submission Deadline: March 31, 2020
Fee to Apply: Free for Gig Seeker Pro Subscribers
Apply to David vs Goliath Music Festival on Sonicbids
10. Seattle Hempfest
Dates & Location: August 14-16 | Seattle, WA
The 411: It’s the 29th year for this annual festival. Last year over 100,000 people attended this annual cannabis protest rally. Music is played across four stages, and the event includes world renowned speakers, gourmet food, arts, and crafts. This festival is free to attend and is looking to book up to 20 Sonicbids artists.
Compensation: TBD
Genres: All genres welcome, profanity-free is preferred
Submission Deadline: May 8, 2020
Fee to Apply: $10
Apply to Seattle Hempfest on Sonicbids
11. Richmond Folk Festival
Dates & Location: October 9-11 | Richmond, VA
The 411: A multicultural celebration of traditional music, dance, food, and crafts representing a variety of cultures. Voted best music festival in Richmond, this 3-day event is free to the public and crowds grow to over 200,000. Over 25 bands will be selected to play across 7 outdoor stages.
Compensation: TBD, travel/hotel/meals provided
Genres: Your music must adhere to the definition of Folk & Traditional Arts as provided by the NEA (click the link above for more details), Appalachian, African Diaspora, Cowboy, Eastern European, Novelty/Variety, and Storytelling
Submission Deadline: May 29, 2020
Fee to Apply: Free for Gig Seeker Pro Subscribers
Apply to Richmond Folk Festival on Sonicbids
12. Sailfest
Dates & Location: July 10-12 | New London, CT
The 411: A 3-day street festival showcasing over 50 artists on 2 stages and the 4th-largest fireworks display on the east coast. Audiences grow to over 300,000 and is free to the public to enjoy music of all genres.
Compensation: TBD
Genres: All welcome to apply, including Rock, Celtic, Hip-Hop, Soul, Country, and Blues
Submission Deadline: May 8, 2020
Fee to Apply: $8
Apply to Sailfest on Sonicbids
13. International Pop Overthrow
Dates & Location: Throughout 2020 | Cities around the globe (click the link above for full list of dates and cities)
The 411: Switching things up a bit, this is a traveling pop music festival, featuring between 25 and 180 of the best pop bands from various local markets, including Pheonix, AZ, Detroit, MI, Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA, Liverpool, England, and Stockhom, Sweeden. The festival’s purpose is to give a platform to those who are trying to be heard in an effort to shine a light on up-and-coming pop acts with audiences in local markets up to 200 people plus key local press, so be sure to submit!
Compensation: TBD
Genres: Powerpop, Folk-Rock, Garage-Rock, Indie-Rock, Modern Rock, Psychedelic-Rock, Singer/Songwriters (click the link above for a full list of genres in each city)
Submission Deadline: Click the link above for a full list of deadlines
Fee to Apply: $10/each
Apply to International Pop Overthrow on Sonicbids
Not every festival is going to be the right fit for you, so be strategic. Luckily, we’ve done most of the work for you, all you have to do is create a killer EPK and submit!
When it comes to submitting to play, remember time can be your best friend. Plan ahead and make sure you’ve determined your music is a fit for their audiences. Get your submissions in as soon as possible and mark down the dates for each one on your calendar as soon as possible to ensure that day job doesn't book you before the festival does!
Make 2020 the year that you expand your audience and industry network. Get out there, connect, and share your talents with the right audiences.
That's just the tip of the iceberg... more festivals book bands on Sonicbids than anywhere else. Check out the interactive festival map, and tell us in the comments which festivals you'll be submitting to this week!
