Performing in a Music Festival is a dream every musician has. Here's how you can fulfill yours:

If you’ve ever stood in a crowd at a music festival, hands in the air and bass in your chest, you’ve probably wondered—how did these artists land this gig? And more importantly, how are they getting paid? Welcome to the behind-the-scenes world of artist booking, where strategy, connections, and smart music marketing collide.

We’ll be taking a look at the following:

1. How Do Artists Get Booked for Music Festivals?
   
   
2. What do Festival Bookers Actually Look For
   
   
3. How do Artists Get Paid?
   
   
4. Final Thoughts
   
   
   

How Do Artists Get Booked for Music Festivals?

Landing a slot at one of the major music festivals in 2025 isn’t about luck—it’s a carefully orchestrated game of visibility, persistence, professionalism, and reputation. Sure, your music needs to slap, but here’s what actually gets you on that lineup:

• Tighten Your Live Show

  Festival bookers care most about how you perform live. A killer live show proves you can hold a crowd, keep energy high, and represent the festival well.
  
  

• Build a Strong EPK (Electronic Press Kit):

  Your EPK should include a compelling bio, high-quality photos, live performance videos, press coverage, and links to your socials and streaming. It’s basically your digital handshake to festival bookers—make it count.
  
  

• Target the Right Festivals

  Not all music festivals are created equal. Some are genre-specific, and others focus on regional talent. Do your research and only apply where your music fits.
  
  

• Plan Ahead

  Submissions for music festivals in 2025 are already open for many events. Use a spreadsheet or artist management tool to keep track of deadlines, fees, and contact details.
  
  

What do Festival Bookers Actually Look For

Festival bookers aren’t just hunting for the next viral sensation—they’re curators of a full experience. When they build a lineup, they’re thinking about flow, energy, diversity, crowd appeal, and, of course, ticket sales. That means they're not just checking out your latest single—they're analyzing how well you'd fit into the festival's story.

Here’s a breakdown of what they’re really looking for:

• Consistent Performance History

  If you’ve played a string of successful gigs—whether it’s clubs, smaller festivals, or high-energy local shows—it gives bookers confidence that you can handle the pressure and bring your A-game to their stage. Live performance videos are golden here.
  
  

• Buzz and Engagement

  Have people been talking about you? Are you growing your fanbase? If you’ve been getting playlisted, covered by local blogs, or generating buzz on platforms like TikTok or Instagram, that’s a big plus. It signals momentum—and that matters.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Strong Visual Branding

  Festivals are highly visual events. Bookers are more likely to consider artists who have a strong image, a cohesive aesthetic, and polished promo materials. From your social media presence to your press shots and EPK—consistency wins.
  

• Crowd Connection

  Being able to connect with a live audience is huge. Bookers often watch footage of past shows to see how you interact with the crowd. Can you energize a sea of strangers? If yes, you're more likely to get booked.
  

• Music That Fits Their Vibe

  It’s not just about genre—it’s about atmosphere. A laid-back folk artist might kill it at a sunset stage, while a techno DJ might be perfect for the late-night slot. The better your music matches the festival’s identity, the stronger your chances.
  
  
  

How do Artists Get Paid?

So you got the gig—now what? Here’s how payment typically works in the world of music festivals:

• Performance Fees

  This varies wildly based on your profile. Emerging artists might earn anywhere from $500–$5,000 per show, while mid-tier acts can pull in $10K–$50K.
  
  

• Travel & Accommodation

  Some festivals cover these, especially for national or international talent. Always clarify this upfront.
  
  

• Merch Sales

  Festivals often allow artists to sell merchandise—sometimes with a cut going to the organizers. For many indie acts, merch is where the real money is.
   

• Exposure as Currency
  

  While it’s not direct cash, performing at key music festivals in 2025 can massively grow your audience, streams, and press coverage, fueling future music marketing wins.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Getting booked and paid for a music festival isn’t just about talent—it’s about treating your music like a business. Build your brand, network smart, and keep showing up. If you're consistent and professional, the right artist booking opportunity will come knocking.

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!