Easy Online Applications To Perform At Music Festivals

In the "old days," to apply to perform at music festivals across the nation was a "tough act" in itself.  It meant mailing out dozens and dozens of bulky press kits with music samples (CD's and before that, cassettes or LPs).  Now days, almost instantly, your band can apply to appear at festivals and other events throughout the nation and abroad through online applications:

Here are some of my favorites!  Some I have performed at.  Some I have attended. Some I would like to attend or perform at!  If you or your band would like to submit to perform at these, just click and submit!

Each May in Paducah, Kentucky, they have the Lowertown Art & Music Festival. It's a really cool festival featuring local artist and musicians.  Bands are required to perform original material, no covers, and must be based within 300 miles of Paducah, Kentucky.   If you'd like to play it,  Click Here to apply to perform at the Lowertown Art and Music Festival!  I've played this one several times and it's a treat!  The neighborhood is beautiful, the town is great, and the crew is easy to work with!

I've played the Handy Blues Festival in Henderson, Kentucky a couple of times over the last 14 years.  To my mind, it's one of the best "unknown" blues festivals in the nation.  It's only one stage but they consistently have the top blues acts in the nation over the festival, which last more than a week.  It takes place in a gorgeous park overlooking the Ohio River and it's usually packed for the performances.  The organizers use merchandise sales and sponsors to keep the festival free.  One of my favorite festivals to have ever played or  attended.  Several years ago, a friend of mine from Australia came to visit and I suggested he stay at a B and B and attend this festival prior to the Chicago Blues Festival and believe it or not, he enjoyed the Handy Festival as much or more than the Chicago Blues Festival because the performers were so outstanding and the local people were to nice!  If you'd like to perform at the WC Handy Blues Festival, Click here to apply! 

I've never played the Chicago Blues Festival, but it's a dream of mine!  You better believe I'll apply next year. I have attended it, and it's all you would think it would be: the finest Chicago Blues players and singers doing their thing that they do so well!  If you think you or your band has what it takes to play the Chicago Blues Festival, or any of the other music events in the Windy City, click here and submit your best stuff! 

One of my favorite Blues Festivals is the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas!  Been there many times.  Never played the festival itself, but did play at Pasquale's Tamales once, during the festival, years ago!  You can't really "apply" to play the main stage, but you can apply to play the "Emerging Artist" Stage and if you are good enough, you might work your way to the big stage in the future and get recognition in the present for appearing at this prestigious festival.  If you think this fits you or your band, apply here by downloading the application and sending in! 

There are several online services which make it easy for you or your band to apply for appearing at festivals and events across the country or abroad.  Right now, I'm utilizing SonicBids to see how effective it is.  It cost a monthly fee and some of the larger festivals, such as Bonnaroo, require an additional monetary fee, usually $5 to $20.  I'll publish a review after a few months and tell you how SonicBids worked for us!

Another huge festival for which you can apply to perform, online, is SXSW in Austin, TX!.  You can apply to perform through SonicBids,

You can apply to play at the Camp Wigout Music Festival in Alabama through SonicBids or Online through their website. 

I'll post more ways to apply to play Blues Festivals later!  Or if you know of some others, email me at ljetton at 61south.com.  Thanks!!!