For independent artists, getting onto the right festival lineup can be an important step towards reaching new audiences, building live experience and putting your music in front of industry professionals.
The good news is that you don’t always need an established name or major team behind you to apply. Across the UK and Europe, a number of festivals are already accepting applications for 2027, while others have announced when their application windows will open.
From grassroots electronic music events and community festivals to major showcases attracting international music industry professionals, here are 10 festivals to keep on your radar if you’re looking for opportunities to perform in 2027.
Application dates and requirements can change, so always check the festival’s official channels before submitting.
FOCUS Wales – Wrexham, Wales
Festival dates: 6-8 May, 2027
Application deadline: 1 November 2026, 18:00
Applications: Open
FOCUS Wales is an international multi-venue showcase festival taking place in Wrexham, North Wales, bringing emerging artists and music industry professionals together across the city. The 2027 edition is set to feature hundreds of artists across multiple venues, with the festival also incorporating a music industry conference and professional programme. Artists from around the world and across music genres can apply for a showcase opportunity. The festival plans to offer up to 100 showcase slots, with selected artists performing 30-minute sets. Artists should note that tribute and cover acts are not accepted, and applications must be submitted through the official application system rather than by email.
Who can apply: Artists from around the world and across music genres
Submission: https://focuswales.com/music/
Artist support: Catering, standard backline and festival/conference passes
Performance fee: Negotiated
Why consider it: FOCUS Wales offers more than a festival performance, combining showcase opportunities with access to a wider music-industry environment.
Tallinn Music Week – Estonia
Festival dates: 8-10 April, 2027
Application deadline: 26 October 2026, 23:59 EET
Applications: Open
Tallinn Music Week (TMW) is a multi-genre showcase festival bringing artists from Estonia and around the world to venues across Tallinn. The 2027 edition is scheduled to feature around 175 artists, with the wider festival attracting music fans as well as international and regional music industry professionals. For selected performing artists, the festival offers access to TMW’s professional programme, networking opportunities and artist education. International artists can also receive support including accommodation for the performance night, catering and airport or ferry transfers on request. TMW does not cover international travel or performance fees.
Who can apply: Artists of all genres from around the world
Submission: https://tmw.ee/artist-applications
Artist support: Professional programme, networking and artist education.
Why consider it: TMW is particularly relevant for artists looking beyond simply playing a festival set and wanting to connect with the wider international music industry.
Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival – Birmingham, UK
Festival dates: 9-11 July, 2027
Applications: Currently accepting applications
Every year, Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival opens an application process to give up-and-coming talent an opportunity to perform alongside established artists. The festival specifically highlights its commitment to programming local talent alongside more established names, creating a mix of emerging and recognised artists across its lineup. There is no fixed application deadline currently stated. Artists can submit an application while space remains available. Applicants should provide links to their music, social media profiles and a short biography covering their genre and previous performances. Live performance videos are also welcomed.
Who can apply: Up-and-coming / local talent
Submission: Email [email protected]
Why consider it: A useful opportunity for emerging UK artists, particularly those with strong live material, but artists should apply sooner rather than later because applications are dependent on remaining space.
Twyfest – Twyford, UK
Festival dates: 19 June, 2027
Applications: Open
Twyfest is a free-entry community festival taking place in Twyford, UK, with a full stage, sound and lighting setup. The festival is currently looking for bands, solo acts and DJs for its 2027 event. Artists are asked to send a link to their music along with a few words about themselves. The festival has a preference for artists local to Twyford, although applications from further afield are considered. One important point: this is an unpaid opportunity. The festival states that it cannot pay performers, but provides the stage, sound, lighting, audience and a few drinks.
Who can apply: Bands, solo artists and DJs
Submission: https://twyfest.uk/
Performance fee: Unpaid
Why consider it: For artists looking to build live experience and connect with a community-focused UK festival, this could be worth considering, provided the unpaid terms work for you.
Blue Reef Festival – Kent, UK
Festival dates: 23-24 July, 2027
Applications: Currently accepting artist submissions
Taking place at Loddington Farm in Linton, Maidstone, Blue Reef Festival is an independent, family-friendly music festival with a grassroots focus. The festival features multiple stages and a broad musical programme, alongside a community-oriented atmosphere influenced by skate and surf culture. Artist submissions for the 2027 edition are currently being accepted. Artists can make enquiries through the festival’s official channels. No fixed application has been stated, so artists interested in applying should contact the festival rather than waiting for a closing date.
Who can apply: Artists suited to the festival’s multi-genre programme
Submission: Email [email protected]
Why consider it: An interesting grassroots opportunity for artists looking for an independent UK festival environment rather than a large commercial festival circuit.
The Great Escape – Brighton, UK
Festival dates: May, 2027
Application deadline: 15 February 2027, 23:59
Applications: Open
If you’re an emerging artist looking to put your music in front of the wider music industry, The Great Escape is one to have on your radar. The Brighton festival showcases hundreds of emerging artists across venues throughout the city, with music fans joined by thousands of international music industry professionals. Applications for 2027 are open to artists of all genres and from anywhere in the world. There is no charge to apply, and you do not need a CD Baby account to submit an application.
Who can apply: Artists of all genres, from anywhere in the world
Submission: https://greatescapefestival.com/apply-to-play/
Why consider it: For emerging artists looking to combine a festival performance with serious industry exposure, The Great Escape provides a direct route into one of the UK’s major emerging-artist showcase environments.
CTM Festival – Berlin, Germany
Festival dates: January, 2027
Applications: Selected open calls and labs
Berlin’s CTM Festival operates somewhat differently from the other opportunities on this list. Rather than a straightforward general festival performance application, its 2027 open calls include specialized labs and commissions.
Resynthesising the Traditional Lab
Deadline: 28 September 2026
Dates: 25-31 January 2027
The programme focuses on experimental approaches to traditional music and offers selected participants support including accommodation, catering, a festival pass and travel support of up to €300.
Spatial Audio Experimentation Lab
Deadline: 15 October 2026
Dates: 21-24 January 2027
This opportunity focuses on spatial audio and approaches to using space as an active element within musical composition.
Who can apply: Artists working in experimental, electronic, sound-art or technology-driven fields
Submission: https://www.ctm-festival.de/festival-2027/open-calls
Why consider it: CTM is worth watching for artists whose work sits between electronic music, sound art, experimentation and technology, but make sure you apply to the specific programme rather than treating it as a general artist submission.
Eden Festival – Moffat, Scotland
Festival dates: 10-13 June, 2027
Applications: Opening October 2026
Eden Festival is an independent, not-for-profit celebration of music, arts and culture taking place at Raehills Meadows in Moffat, Scotland. Eden places community at the centre of its identity and operates without corporate sponsorship. No specific closing date for the October band and DJ applications has been announced yet, so artists interested in applying should keep an eye on the official festival channels from October.
Who can apply: Bands and DJs
Submission: https://edenfestival.co.uk/contact/
Why consider it: An interesting option for artists looking for an independently run Scottish festival with a strong community and arts focus.
In It Together Festival – Wales
Festival dates: 28-30 May, 2027
Applications: Open
In It Together Festival is returning to Old Park Farm in Margam, Port Talbot for its sixth instalment in 2027. The festival is currently looking for 50 talented local Welsh artists and DJs to perform at the event. The festival’s wider programme features more than 100 artists across multiple stages, alongside family activities, camping and other entertainment. The artist application is aimed specifically at local Welsh talent, making this more geographically focused than some of the other opportunities on the list.
Who can apply: Local Welsh artists and DJs
Submission: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhfcHKCrWU4DRysv-7z5cPPQeqfqaQRYsxV5o–eom5rQd_A/viewform
Why consider it: A strong opportunity for Welsh-based artists who want to perform at an independent festival while sharing a programme with established acts.
CABLE Electronic Music Festival – Stoke-on-Trent, UK
Festival dates: 25-28 February, 2027
Applications: Open
CABLE Electronic Music Festival, also known as Cablefest, is a grassroots underground electronic music event based in Stoke-on-Trent. The festival’s 2027 programme covers a broad range of electronic sounds, including electro, IDM, dance, ambient, industrial, dark pop and synthwave. The festival has roots in the local Electronic Music Open Mic (EMOM) community and has built its identity around independent electronic artists and underground sounds. Applications for Cabelfest 5 are currently open. The festival has invited artists to send in their music, although a specific application deadline and detailed submission requirements have not been stated.
Who can apply: Electronic artists working across the festival’s range of genres
Submission: Email [email protected]
Why consider it: A particularly relevant opportunity for electronic artists working in underground, experimental or alternative electronic styles who may not fit the programming of larger mainstream festivals.
Before You Apply: A Few Things to Have Ready
Finding an open application is only half the job. Before sending your music to a festival, make sure your artist information is ready to go.
- Get your EPK in order: Have an up-to-date Electronic Press Kit containing your artist bio, high-resolution promotional photographs, music links, social media profiles and relevant live-performance information. If you have strong live footage, include it where the festival allows it. A festival booker needs to understand what your project looks like in a live environment.
- Pay attention to deadlines: Don’t assume every festival works on the same schedule. Some opportunities close many months before the event, while others accept applications until available slots have been filled. For 2027 festival, application windows are already opening during 2026, so keeping a calendar of deadlines can prevent opportunities from passing you by.
- Read the guideline: Before submitting, check exactly what the festival is asking for. Some festivals want an application form. Others ask for music links, biographies, social media profiles or live footage. Some have specific genre or geographical requirements. Following the application instructions is part of making a professional submission.
- Be honest about what you can deliver: If you’re applying for a live performance, make sure the material you submit accurately represents your current sound and live project. If a festival asks for technical information, make sure your technical requirements are realistic and up to date.
- Check the financial terms: Not every festival operates on the same model. Some opportunities may offer payment, while others may provide accommodation, catering, travel assistance, production support or simply a performance platform. Others may be unpaid. Always check the terms before accepting an offer and consider the total cost of attending the festival, particularly if you’re travelling internationally.
- Don’t send the same application everywhere: A strong EPK can be reused, but your application shouldn’t necessarily be identical for every festival. Take a few minutes to understand the festival’s audience, musical identity and application criteria, then make sure you’re actually presenting why your project fits that particular opportunity.
For independent artists, festival applications can be easy to overlook until the festival season is already approaching. But many 2027 opportunities are being decided months in advance. Whether you’re an emerging band, DJ, electronic producer, experimental artist or live act, keeping track of application windows and preparing your materials early can give you more opportunities to put your music forward.
The festivals above cover everything from grassroots community events to international showcase festivals, so not every opportunity will be right for every artist. Do you research, check the requirements, submit professionally and keep creating.
