How to Book Festival Gigs as a Musician

Booking festival gigs can feel confusing for independent musicians. There is no obvious application process, responses are inconsistent, and competition is high. But festival bookings are rarely random.

Most festivals follow a clear system and book artists who understand how it works and show up prepared.

This guide breaks down how musicians actually get booked for festivals, what festivals look for, and the exact steps you can take to increase your chances of landing festival gigs at any stage of your career.

1. Prepare for Your Gigs
   
   
2. Understand the Music Festival Booking Landscape
   
   
3. Reach Out and Follow Up with Music Festivals
   
   
4. FAQs
   
   
5. Final Thoughts
   

Prepare for Your Gigs

Before you apply to a single festival, you need to look bookable. Festivals book artists who feel ready to perform in front of large, mixed audiences.

Your Festival Readiness Checklist

Use this table as a quick self-audit:

Build a Simple but Strong EPK

Your EPK does not need to be fancy. It needs to be clear.

Include:

• A short artist bio that explains your sound and highlights recent wins
• 2 to 3 high-quality live performance videos
• Professional photos and live stage shots
• Links to your music on Spotify, YouTube, or SoundCloud
• Social media links and contact details

Think of your EPK as your festival resume. A booker should be able to understand who you are in under two minutes.

Tighten Your Live Show

Festivals prioritize artists who can:

• Engage a crowd quickly
• Sound good in short set times
• Perform confidently on large stages

If possible, play local shows, college gigs, or support slots before applying to festivals. Record these performances and use the best clips in your applications.

Understand the Music Festival Booking Landscape

Knowing how festivals book artists helps you apply smarter and avoid frustration.

How Festival Booking Actually Works

Most festivals follow this general process:

1. Festival organizers define the event’s genre, audience, and budget
2. Headliners are booked first
3. Mid-level and emerging artists fill the remaining slots
4. Submissions, recommendations, and scouting complete the lineup

This means timing and fit matter just as much as talent.

Types of Festivals You Should Target

Not all festivals are equal. Start where you realistically fit.

• Local and city festivals
• Genre-specific festivals
• Cultural and niche festivals
• Independent and community-run festivals

Major festivals should be a long-term goal, not your starting point.

What Festival Bookers Look For

Festival bookers usually evaluate artists based on:

• Musical fit with the lineup
• Live performance quality
• Audience engagement and growth
• Professionalism and communication
• Ability to promote the festival

Here is a simple mental model to remember:

Talent + Fit + Momentum = Bookable Artist

Reach Out and Follow Up with Music Festivals

Once you are prepared and targeting the right festivals, email and outreach becomes much easier.

Where to Find Festival Opportunities

• Festival websites and artist submission pages
• Social media announcements from festivals
• Music opportunity blogs and newsletters
• Industry platforms and mailing lists
• Direct outreach to festival promoters

Create a spreadsheet to track:

• Festival name
• Submission deadline
• Contact email
• Status of your application

How to Pitch Yourself (Without Sounding Spammy)

Your pitch should be short, personal, and relevant.

A good festival pitch includes:

• A quick introduction
• Why you are a good fit for that specific festival
• A single EPK link
• A polite close

Avoid long emails, attachments, or generic copy-pasted messages.

Following Up the Right Way

If you do not hear back:

• Wait 10 to 14 days
• Send one polite follow-up
• Keep it short and respectful

Silence usually means no, not personal rejection. Festivals receive hundreds of submissions.

Networking Still Matters

Some festival bookings happen because of relationships.

Ways to build them:

• Attend festivals and talk to organizers
• Support other artists and promoters
• Stay in touch even when you are not pitching

Think long term. Relationships compound.

FAQs

1. How far in advance should I apply to festivals?

Most festivals book artists 6 to 12 months in advance. Some larger festivals plan even earlier.

2. Do I need a booking agent to play festivals?

No. Many emerging artists book festivals independently. Agents help later, but they are not required to get started.

3. Should I pay to submit to festivals?

Some festivals charge small submission fees. Research carefully and avoid anything that feels exploitative.

4. How much do festivals pay artists?

Payment varies widely. Some festivals pay fees, some offer expenses, and some offer exposure only. Always clarify terms before accepting.

5. What if I keep getting rejected?

Rejections are normal. Use them as feedback to improve your live show, branding, and targeting.

Final Thoughts

Booking festival gigs is not about luck. It is about preparation, positioning, and persistence.

When you understand how festivals book artists, present yourself professionally, and apply to the right opportunities, your chances increase dramatically. Start small, build momentum, and treat every festival appearance as a stepping stone to the next one.

Festivals are not just stages. They are gateways to new fans, industry connections, and long-term growth as an artist. Stay consistent, stay professional, and keep showing up.

We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!