Open Mic
We re-booted our open mic for 2024, with opportunities to play in the bar on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and it was a great success. If you fancy playing for 15 minutes or so at the 2025 event in front of a relaxed festival audience then you can apply on site by completing the form on the bar. We may also be accepting online applications before the festival (and if so it will say how to do that on this page). Anyone attending the festival can apply, as solo, duo or a larger group, though be aware it will be a relatively simple set-up with no back line, and there will be no sound check. There's plenty of time to play 2 or 3 numbers though.
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Artist Applications - Apply Now for 2025
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Artists can apply by emailing artists@southwellfolkfestival.org.uk
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We love rootsy music, and we don't like pigeon-holes. We do like a mix of styles and tempos - we need some artists to get the crowds jumping as well as more contemplative stuff. These are just words though, please get in touch: broadly anything rootsy covering folk, blues, ska, Celtic, world, punk, country, Americana, jazz etc could be what we're looking for.
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We have three main stages, plus a few slots on informal acoustic "busk stops" on site. There is a local artist showcase on Thursday night for East Midlands' artists,
Because of the number of applications we receive, we may only be able to respond if we are able to offer anything. We have a team which reviews every application sent in, and there's no need to follow-up your application or to resend it. It may take a while for us to get back to you but sadly we can't promise to feedback to everyone.
Please make sure you include links to live performance videos (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo). We're unlikely to book you if we haven't see you live (on video or in person)
We will review studio-recorded material too, so please send online links to that as well (e.g. Spotify, Soundcloud etc). You can also send CDs to the address on the contact-us page. We prefer online media rather than CDs or attached files, as it can be accessed by all of us more easily. Attached files may not get through spam/virus checkers.