How to Get a Festival Slot in 2022…
for many, the simple answer is You Don`t
But today, I would like to pass on my own experience of the current festival climate plus offer an opportunity to play Doune the Rabbit Hole 2022
I am writing this both as an artist and as a booker who has organised my own festivals and curated stages for many others.
This year, I have never seen so many artists champing at the bit to play their music to a festival crowd.
A festival crowd that tabloids call ‘Revellers’ but nobody ever uses that word in the real world like ever.
With the pandemic, many people could not socialise, perform live or go on holiday.
They also had extra spare time due to working from home or sadly being made unemployed.
So many brilliant minds started making great music and the sad thing is that unless you were booked back in 2019 then the chances are , without major label backing or close contacts, this summer will come and go without you getting a chance to strut your stuff.
It`s frustrating but the music industry is mostly a series of disappointments and rejection so embrace the shite feeling and get your applications in early for 2023 or if you think you fit the bill then please apply below for a new stage called The Tum Tum Tree at Doune 2022 below.
This will be a stage off the beaten track of the main festival. We are looking for mainly acoustic acts, rappers, poets, Electro acts. And smaller bands of the two-piece and three-piece variety as it will not be a huge stage but for what it lacks in size it will make up for in character.
I want to see the unique, the weird, and original sounding acts perform on this one.
Something special for the wanderers who actually explore the festival in search of fresh sounds and new adventures. We want to soundtrack those moments in style.
Even if your application is unsuccessful this time we are turning the stage into a jam night at the end of each programme so there will be a chance to do a couple of tunes right into the wee hours on Friday , Saturday and Sunday of DTRH 2022..
As an artist, I am passionate to make sure I find and book some gems I have never heard before because I know how it feels to never play a festival and have a burning desire to do so.
I know festivals can seem cliquey but if you really want to play a festival, then go to a festival whether you get picked or not. Pay for a ticket if you can or become a volunteer if you can’t.
It took my band a couple of years of doing everything from litter-collecting to playing campfire jams before people started to take notice. . We would always be ready at the side of stages in case someone was a no-show , and we always had stickers / flyers at the ready to help promote our band.
I realise how frustrating it can be to get your foot in the door but once you play one , it tends to open up lots of opportunities to play others as bookers start to see you live and recognise your name on the poster.
It is especially tough right now because you have all the acts who were ready to tour new albums in 2020 , 20221 and 2022 all vying for a few coveted slots. I could have easily filled the slots for this stage from acts I already know but I am opening up submissions to everyone and hoping to find some new hidden gems . Just email youcallthatradio(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Why I Should Play Doune’ in the subject header with a short paragraph and some links to your work.
If you aren’t successful this year please remember that there is an unprecedented amount of acts all looking at the same opportunities right now. Please do not get disheartened and try and get involved in the festival scene somehow , someway if you can. I will also keep a tab of all acts for a few smaller festivals taking place this summer where we might be able to fit you in.
Good luck! and I hope to see you at Doune the Rabbit Hole 2022 as a performer, as a punter or as a volunteer .
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