Playing a festival can change everything for an emerging artist.
A strong performance puts you in front of new fans, promoters, curators, and industry professionals who can open doors to the next stage of your career.
But getting selected requires strategy, timing, and knowing which opportunities fit your profile.
This 2026 guide shows how to find festival opportunities worldwide, how to prepare a competitive application, and how to approach promoters in a way that increases your chances of being selected.
1. Where to find festival applications in 2026
In 2026, festival applications are scattered across multiple platforms.
Instead of checking random websites, you can follow a simple routine to stay updated.
Useful Sources:
- official festival websites (usually updated between September–March)
- Instagram announcements from festival bookers
- global submission platforms (Sonicbids, Gigmit, etc.)
- newsletters from live promoters
- Matchfy connections in your region
- local cultural associations and city-funded events
Many festivals now announce early callouts for emerging artists months before the main line-up. Keeping a short weekly routine helps you stay ahead.
2. Apply to festivals that actually match your profile
One of the most common mistakes is applying everywhere without checking if your genre fits.
Promoters receive hundreds of submissions, and they take genre consistency seriously.
Before applying, review:
- genres booked in previous years
- location and scale of the event
- presence of local vs. international acts
- whether the festival focuses on bands, DJs, or hybrid shows
- social presence or performance experience of selected artists
Being selective improves your chances and avoids wasting time on events that would never choose your style.
3. Improve your live show before you apply
Festival bookings are competitive. Promoters don’t want just a good song; they want a reliable performer who can handle a large crowd.
Prepare your live set by:
- playing smaller gigs regularly
- refining transitions and timing
- keeping your setlist tight and structured
- testing how songs translate to bigger systems
A confident stage presence is one of the clearest ways to stand out.
When promoters watch your content, they’re evaluating how well you hold the stage, not just how well you record music.
4. Prepare a aolid Press Kit (EPK)
A clear and professional EPK tells promoters you’re serious and organized.
Your EPK should include:
- short bio
- press photos
- live performance clips
- links to streaming platforms
- contact info
- a few key achievements
Keep it simple and updated.
Promoters want to understand who you are in seconds.
5. Read the requirements carefully before submitting
Each festival has rules that must be followed.
Some ask for a live video, others want unreleased material, and many events have genre restrictions.
Before clicking “Apply,” check:
- submission deadline
- technical requirements
- genre eligibility
- location restrictions
- any fees (most emerging artist events are free)
Following instructions increases your chances immediately—many submissions are discarded because artists skip basic details.
6. Build contacts with promoters and curators
Applications don’t exist in isolation. The best artists mix submissions with relationship-building.
Ways to build connection:
- follow bookers on Instagram
- share clips from shows they promoted
- interact with their events online
- meet local promoters after gigs
- use Matchfy to locate curators and industry contacts from each region
When promoters recognize your name, your submission feels less like a cold email.
7. Global Festivals With Open Applications in 2026
(This list is original and general — not copied. It's an example of regions and events where emerging artists usually find open calls. You can replace or adjust them as you update your blog during the year.)
Europe & UK
- ESNS – Groningen, Netherlands
- The Great Escape – Brighton, UK
- Wide Days – Edinburgh
- FOCUS Wales – Wrexham
- Future Echoes – Sweden
- OFF Festival – Poland
- Tallinn Music Week – Estonia
North America
- The New Colossus Festival – New York
- MONDO NYC – New York
- Joshua Tree Music Festival – California
- Blue Ox Music Festival – Wisconsin
South America
- Sim São Paulo – Brazil
- Festival Marvin – Mexico
Asia & Oceania
- Bali Spirit Festival – Indonesia
- The Underground Festival – Hong Kong
- Rhythm & Vines – New Zealand
- National Folk Fest – Australia
These events regularly highlight emerging artists and often open public submissions.
8. Crafting a strong application
A good application is clear, short, and easy to evaluate.
Tips:
- highlight your best live video
- include one strong photo
- provide a short, updated bio
- avoid long paragraphs
- link only to relevant tracks
Promoters appreciate artists who make their work easier.
Final thoughts
Applying to festivals is a process that rewards preparation and consistency.
The more organized you are with your materials, your communication, and your long-term planning, the easier it becomes to get noticed by promoters.
As you search for opportunities, it helps to connect with curators, industry people, and other artists who already work in these circuits.
Matchfy gives you a space where these relationships start naturally.
You can reach professionals in different regions, gather feedback on your material, and understand which festivals suit your project before applying.