Do you want to promote your music and find new opportunities as an independent artist? Perhaps you should tap into the world of music contests, where you’ll have the opportunity to play shows and get live performance experience under your belt, or get access to resources that can elevate your artistry.
Music contests highlight emerging artists in a way that is welcoming, exciting and fun. These can come in the form of open calls for selected artists to perform at an event such as a local show or festival, studio session giveaways, live session filming opportunities, and various other prizes. If you’ve never played a show or want to hone your stage presence, showcase opportunities are truly the most inviting entry into music performance possible, whether you play instrument or not – there is no excuse not to go for it!
The local music scene thrives off of new faces, and new artists thrive off of the scene. No matter the genre – folk, rock, pop, electronic, you name it – there’s something for everyone.
Here is a selection of the most current and exciting music contests for you – so start applying now! ✌️
Are you looking for a booker to play live and help you apply for contests?
Send your tracks on Groover and contact the best bookers, labels, media outlets and music professionals – and apply to exclusive music contests. Guaranteed feedback in less than 7 days!
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A music contest is missing from this guide and you want us to add it?
Contact us at blog@groover.co
🇺🇸 Groover x Distro Fest – open call for performers
Groover partners with Distro Fest to offer the opportunity for one artist to play at the festival ACX1.
Studios brings WHO?MAG Distro Fest 3, a 4-day music festival, conference, and film festival to Atlantic City, NJ. This event will feature over 50 major music industry speakers, over 70 performers, and a music film festival to the new ACX1 Studios, the Entertainment Pier at Caesars. It will also be broadcasted live on Splash 98.5, AC newest top 40 radio station.
Application conditions: Open to US-based artists with the ability to travel to Atlantic City – Open to pop, rock, R&B, hiphop, dance, country, jazz – Submit 1 track to participate
Application deadline: October 22, 2024
Apply here to the Groover x Distro Fest Open Call
💿🇺🇸 Groover x Diggers Factory Contest: Win 300 CD pressings
Physical merchandising is a key element to any music promotion strategy. In this context, Groover has teamed-up with Diggers Factory to give you the chance to win 300 copies of your latest release pressed to CDs! 💿
Here’s your chance to get your music on physical support for free!
Send us your best track to participate ✨
- Application conditions: Open to US-based artists – Open to all music genres – The project must not exceed 78 minutes – The artist must be able to send their audio in a DDP format – The artwork must be adapted to Diggers’s CD template (300 DPI / CMYK / PDF format) – The artist must own all creative aspects of his work (a copyright form will be sent to complete)
- Application deadline: October 21st, 2024
Apply here to the contest Diggers x Groover
🇬🇧 Apply to play at The Great Escape in Brighton
The Great Escape welcomes artists from every genre across the globe to apply for a chance to play at the world’s most renowned festival for breaking new talent. You will be performing with the beautiful seaside backdrop of Brighton, where 450+ acts will be filling over 30 venues, making 14th-17th May 2025 one hell of a weekend and a great opportunity to meet key music industry figures who come to TGE looking for the next big thing.
Calling all artists. Artist registration for The Great Escape 2025 in partnership with Tunecore is now open. Whether you are a band, a singer-songwriter, a rapper, DJ, collective or duo, it doesn’t matter, we want to hear from you.
Application deadline: February 2025
Apply here to The Great Escape
🇺🇸 Play at New Colossus x Groover Showcases in NYC
We are looking for two emerging artists to perform as part of a three-act line-up showcase organized in collaboration with the New Colossus Festival. Do you want to be part of it? It will be the opportunity for you to play alongside our Groover Obsessions artists, in front of music industry professionals and a packed crowd of local music lovers!
📍Where : Piano’s, NYC
- Application conditions:• Artist/band that can play 30 mins live show • Based in NYC or can come to NYC • Genres: indie rock, post punk, psych rock, coldwave, indie folk, singer songwriter, indie pop, r&b
- Application deadline: Wednesday October 23rd, 2024
Apply here to New Colossus x Groover
🇺🇸 Groover x WITHLOVEFEST Showcase for Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B Artists in NYC
Groover is partnering with WITHLOVEFEST to showcase one emerging artist/band in the NYC music scene.
WITHLOVEFEST is a worldwide music platform that showcases some of the best music artists in each host city. Their mission is to be a building block for new artists looking to expand their reach and provide them with a platform to showcase their talents to the public.
The winners will share the stage with other emerging artists and perform in front of their audience! Apply now to play at this great event, it’s the perfect opportunity to gain visibility! 🌟
- Application conditions: Music genres: Indie Pop, Hip-Hop R&B / US-based artists with the ability to travel to NYC
- Application deadline: September 26th, 2024
Apply here to With Love Fest x Groover
🇪🇸 Apply to Bona Dea Vol.2 !
Bona Dea arrives in Madrid thanks to Alternativa Sonora, with the idea of holding a series of parties whose purpose is clear: to provide a unique experience full of good live music and featuring emerging female talent. Each party will revolve around a different musical style, the first one was R&B and Soul with urban dyes, which was the common nexus of all the artists who were part of the line-up. In this second party we are looking to combine electronic music with urban music.
The second Bona Dea party will take place in Sala B and we are going to take it to the next level with a series of activations that we will be revealing to you. As we have said, the common link between the artists of this Bona Dea Vol.2 has to be electronic music in its most urban and dark side.
- Application conditions: Female only and artists from Spain
- Application deadline: October 11th, 2024
Apply here to Bona Dea x Groover
It’s your turn! And besides applying to music contests – get in touch with music professionals directly on Groover to get your music heard ⬇️
ENDED MUSIC CONTESTS
Mondo.NYC 2024 Showcase Festival 🇺🇸
Groover is excited to partner with Mondo as its official artist submission platform for their 2024 festival! Mondo.NYC is New York’s only annual music and tech business conference and global showcase festival, presenting performances from breakthrough multi-genre artists from around the world.
Mondo returns to NYC October 15-18, 2024, including panels and networking opportunities at the incredible Arlo Williamsburg Hotel and showcases at independent venues across Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Apply now for free for a chance to play at this amazing event, perform for music business executives, media, and New York City’s super‑passionate music fans and elevate your career! 🌟
- Application conditions: open to all genres / open to US-based and global artists with the ability to travel to NYC for the event.
- Application deadline: July 31, 2024.
Apply here to Mondo.NYC
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ Songwriting Retreat / Apply to join Kloud Retreat
Kloud Retreat organise a week of creativity and community building completely free to attend and as a result, they are looking for 21 of the UK’s best LGBTQ+ talent to attend their first residential retreat of its kind. Whether you’re just beginning your career or you’re a seasoned pro, represented by a label or publishing, they want to hear from you. Kloud is here to help you build your tribe, find your next queer collaborators, and support this fabulously creative community. 🎉
What’s included?
– 4-nights accommodation in East Sussex Countryside Estate 1 hour from London.
– Daily writing sessions with fellow LGBTQ+ music talent
– Catered communal meals
– Optional morning Yoga
– Evening activities like campfires and movie nights
– End-of-week song showcase and music mixer with retreat partners and music industry professionals
- Application conditions : Open to 18+ UK-based artists with the ability to come to East Sussex Countryside Estate / All music genres are accepted / If you are preselected, you’ll be contacted by email and asked to fill in a second form to validate your application 📝
- Application deadline : Open call from August 5th to 23rd, 2024 / Successful applicants will be contacted the week of the 26th of August
🇬🇧 UK Gigs / Paper Garden Presents: Experiential Music in London
Paper Garden creates unique musical experiences fostering a vibrant community united by a passion for exceptional music, art, and a shared desire for positive change. They curate these bespoke events in innovative spaces in London and feature diverse artists and performers in a way that forges connections between unconventional spaces, artists, and brands and creates truly extraordinary & interactive experiences.
They host showcases within London at Market Halls Oxford Street (a bustling food hall located in the heart of london) and Bingham Riverhouse (a boutique restaurant, hotel and members club in Richmond, U.K.). Send us your best track for a chance to play at one of their upcoming events taking place end of August ✨
- Application conditions: open to UK-based artists / Genres accepted: Indie pop, Indie rock, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Funk, Singer-songwriter.
- Application deadline: August 5, 2024.
Apply to play at Paper Garden Events
🇺🇸 Play at New Colossus x Groover Showcases in NYC in Sept./Oct.
We are looking for two emerging artists to perform as part of a four-act line-up showcase organized in collaboration with the New Colossus Festival at the iconic venue Baker Falls 🔥 It will be the occasion for you to play in front of music industry professionals and a packed crowd of local music lovers!
You will have the opportunity to play alongside our Groover Obsessions artists at our next showcases on September 4th and October 9th at Baker Falls. Send us your best track! ✨
- Application conditions: indie rock/pop/folk artist/band that can play 30 mins live show / based in NYC or can travel to NYC easily.
- Application deadline: August 12, 2024.
Apply to play at Groover x New Colossus Showcases
🇺🇸 LAUNCH Dallas Conference & Festival
After 16 incredible years in Lancaster, PA, the iconic LAUNCH conference will host its first year in Dallas with Third String Entertainment (So What?! Music Festival, Furnace Fest, Unsilent Night).
This edition will take place on November 7-10, 2024 in Dallas, TX. Apply for a chance to perform during this conference and festival! LAUNCH Dallas is open to artists of ALL genres and is all-ages to attend 🤘
- Application conditions: open to US-based artists with the ability to travel to Dallas / open to all music genres.
- Application deadline: August 14, 2024.
Apply here for a chance to play at LAUNCH Dallas
The International Songwriting Competition 🌎
📣 Calling all musicians!
The International Songwriting Competition invites you to participate in its annual song contest. ISC aims to provide both budding and seasoned songwriters with a platform to showcase their music on a global scale. With over $150,000 in prizes up for grabs, ISC stands as the largest and most prestigious songwriting competition worldwide.
Judged by a panel of renowned industry figures and celebrities, including Mariah Carey, Reba McEntire, Tom Waits, Shooter Jennings, Elle King, Jennifer Hudson, Paul Stanley (KISS), Joe Hahn (Linkin Park), James Adam Shelley (American Authors), NEEDTOBREATHE, and many others, this competition offers unparalleled exposure. Join the ranks of past winners – including Illenium, Kehlani, Coco Jones, Vance Joy, Maren Morris, JP Saxe, Bastille, and more!
Enter today on their website
WITHLOVEFEST x Groover Showcase in NYC – April 2024 🇺🇸
Groover is partnering with WITHLOVEFEST to showcase an emerging artist/band in the NYC music scene.
WITHLOVEFEST is a worldwide music platform that showcases some of the best music artists in each host city. Their mission is to be a building block for new artists looking to expand their reach and provide them with a platform to showcase their talents to the public.
Groover will select 1 act to play at Sour Mouse (NYC) on April 25, 2024. 🌟
- Application conditions: music genres: indie pop, hip hop r&b.
- Application deadline: April 16, 2024.
BIGSOUND 2024 🇦🇺
BIGSOUND is the southern hemisphere’s biggest music industry event gathering music lovers came to discover the future of music over three exciting nights in Brisbane, Australia every September. This year’s event will welcome tastemakers from across the globe including media, A&R, agents, promoters, music supervisors, buyers and so much more.
Want to play at this year’s edition? Well, look no further and apply now for a chance to perform in front of some of the most influential figures in the industry! It could be a real game changer 🚀
- Application deadline: 16 April, 2024.
SAMC’s 2024 Open Call 🇧🇬
As one of the prime events in South East Europe, the SoAlive Music Conference & Festival stands proud as “The gateway to the Balkans’ music industry” offering unparalleled opportunities for artists and professionals to showcase their talents, share insights, and connect with the heart of the music scene in the region.
They’re seeking artists across all genres to perform at this year’s edition, taking place at the National Palace of Culture, Sofia, Bulgaria, on October 2nd – 4th, 2024. If you’re ready to make waves in the 50+ million people Balkans’ music scene, they want to hear from you. ✨
- Application conditions: open to artists from any country / all genres accepted / open to live acts.
- Application deadline: April 22, 2024.
Play at WITHLOVEST in NYC – March 2024 🇺🇸
Groover is partnering with WITHLOVEFEST to showcase an emerging artist/band in the NYC music scene. WITHLOVEFEST is a worldwide music platform that showcases some of the best talent in their local music scenes.
Groover will select 1 act to play at Sour Mouse (NYC) on March 28, 2024. The winner will share the stage with other emerging artists and play in front of their audiences! ✨
- Application conditions: open to US artists / genres accepted: indie rock, indie pop, alternative rock, r&b, funk / backing tracks or live band (preferably with drums) with max 5 people on stage.
- Schedule: applications close on March 20, 2024.
Breaking Sound Showcases – NYC & LA 🇺🇸
Groover is partnering with Breaking Sound again to organize a new showcases in NYC and another one in LA, to showcase some emerging artists/bands in the music scene.
Groover will select 2 acts to play at Brooklyn Music Kitchen (NYC) on April 16 and at Adults Only (LA) on April 23. The winners will share the stage with other emerging artists and play in front of their followers! 🤘
- Application conditions: open to US artists / genres accepted: indie rock, indie pop, alternative rock, r&b, funk / backing tracks or live band (preferably with drums) with max 5 people on stage.
- Schedule: applications close on March 17, 2024.
Lo-Fi Contest / Get added to the compilation 🌎
Groover and Chill Space Records are partnering up to create the lo-fi compilation “Midnight Grooves with a Sloth”. Actively promoted via Chill Space Records & Groover’s networks, it’s THE best compilation to relax and chill during these nostalgic late nights…🌃
Curated with great care, this compilation brings together tomorrow’s top talents! Apply now for a chance to be added, and shine light on your project 🌟
- Application conditions: for artists from any country / genres accepted: lo-fi, chill out, ambient, lo-fi instrumental hip-hop, chill beats.
- Schedule: open call from February 9th to March 9th, 2024.
Play at Spring Fest Austin – Groover x Disco x Amuse Event 🇺🇸🔥
The SXSW Music Festival brings together artists, industry professionals, and music lovers from around the world to make connections, elevate their careers, and celebrate the magic of live music – from legendary performers to the most exciting new talents. ✨
Apply to play / mix at the event organized on March 13th by Groover x Disco x Amuse during SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX – one of the BIGGEST MUSIC EVENTS in the U.S. 🤩 Take this lifetime opportunity and send us your best track!
- Application conditions: live acts & DJ sets / open to many genres – except hardcore ones / for US-based bands/artists and artists located/travelling near Austin around March 13th.
- Schedule: open call from February 13th to March 3rd, 2024.
🔥 UPDATE 🔥 On top of the event on March 13th, we’ve also partnered up with Ridiculous Biz and unlocked 1 additional slot for an artist and/or DJ to play at their Ridiculous Boat Cruise on March 11th, at the Dockside Lounge 🙌 This means more opportunities for you to be selected!
Villa Albertine – Jazz & New Music Program 🇺🇸
Villa Albertine promotes and supports artistic performances and creations through the Jazz & New Music program – encouraging collaborations between French and American artists.
Since it’s creation in 2004, the program has granted $4 million in funds to support over 300 projects in jazz and contemporary music, resulting in 65 recordings and more than 700 concerts, commissions, and residencies in France and the United States. Apply now to join the 2024 edition!
- Schedule: open call until February 29th, 2024.
Ireland Music Week – Artist Applications 2024 🇮🇪
Ireland Music Week is a crucial event in Irish artists’ career development, allowing them to showcase their talent to top-class international music industry delegates – bookers, labels, publishers, managers & agents – and new fans alike.
50 Irish acts will have the chance to showcase in October, with the line-up being announced in June. Are you ready to take the next step and bring your music career to the international stage? Apply now! ⚡️
- Schedule: applications will close on Monday March 25th 2024 at 5pm.
Breaking Sound x Groover Showcase – Jan 24 – NYC 🇺🇸
Groover is partnering with Breaking Sound to organize 2 new showcases in NYC, to showcase some emerging artists/bands in the NYC music scene! Groover will select 2 acts to play at Broadway (NYC) on March 20th and at Oppa Bistro (NYC) on March 21st. The winners will share the stage with other emerging artists and play in front of their followers!
Apply now for the opportunity to play at this great event, it’s the perfect occasion to gain visibility! ✨
- Application conditions: folk, rock, pop, r&b, funk music / live band (preferably with drums) with a max 5 people on stage or acoustic format.
- Schedule: open call from January 23 to February 13, 2024.
Focus Wales 2024 – Wrexham 🇬🇧
Groover & FOCUS Wales, one of the UK’s leading showcase festivals, are partnering again this year to offer 3 artists the opportunity to play at the prestigious festival next May 2024!
Apply for the opportunity to play at Wales’ biggest music showcase taking place in Wrexham in front of music industry professionals from all around the world! 🎸
- Application conditions: for UK-based artists / genres accepted: indie, pop, folk, rock, hip-hop soul, r&b, funk, jazz, afrobeats…
- Schedule: open call from January 29 to February 19, 2024 at 11am UK time.
Play at “Showcase” by Different Planet – London 🇬🇧
Different Planet is seeking emerging/unsigned artists for their acoustic music event: “Showcase”. It features the best of emerging singers and singer/songwriters and takes place at The Spice of Life, Soho.
Stripped back, “Showcase” is an acoustic session that is all about introducing audiences to emerging artists and keeping the listening experience intimate; backing is either by guitar or keyboard/ piano. Keeping it live; no material is performed with backing tracks. Standards/covers or originals… Folk, Pop, Soul/RnB, Jazz, Showtunes. It’s all good! 🎷
- Application conditions: for UK-based artists / suitable for soloists, duos or trios / genres accepted: pop, folk, jazz, soul, r&b…
- Schedule: open call from January 22nd to February 18th, 2024.
Play at Tomorrow’s World – London 🇬🇧
On Da Beat present Tomorrow’s World. An event full of dynamic panel discussions, live music & networking curated by a South London based organisation that is representative of local youth voices.
Meet them at Brixton Village on the 27th of Feb for Tomorrow’s World to experience how culture and technology are empowering our industry. The event will feature showcases, Tech Industry Talks, product demos, informal networking, and the chance for winning artists to travel the world as AR holograms with Popins.
- Application conditions: for London-based artists/ 2 will be selected: 1 live act & 1 DJ set / genres accepted: afrobeats, jazz, house, dancehall, latin music, r&b, rap…
- Schedule: open call from January, 30 to February, 18 (11pm UK time)
Glastonbury Festival – Emerging Talent Competition – UK 🇬🇧
Glastonbury Festival launched is 2024 Emerging Talent Competition – supported by PRS for Music and PRS Foundation. The competition gives new UK and Ireland-based acts of any musical genre the chance to compete for a slot on one of the main stages at this year’s Festival.
The winners of the free-to-enter competition will also be awarded a £5,000 Talent Development prize from PRS Foundation to help take their songwriting and performing to the next level. Two runners-up will also each be awarded a £2,500 PRS Foundation Talent Development prize.
- Schedule: open call from 29th January to 5th February 2024 (5pm UK time).
Safe & Sound Showcase – Wreckroom Contest
Are you an emerging artist looking to play at a house party in NYC? Would you like to form part of a 3 act line-up for a gig in Clinton Hill, playing solo or with your musicians? Well, this is for you!
Groover is partnering up with Wreckroom – an Entertainment Media & Technology company based in the United States which aims to push boundaries and build community through a series of creative experiments – to showcase artists in the NYC music scene at the Safe & Sound Social event. Safe & Sound Social is an event happening at Safe & Sound Studios in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, that aims to bridge the gap of the creative community by providing a fun, meaningful, and inspiring house party.
SXSW Music Festival Showcase
Open Call for the opportunity to perform at the SXSW Music Festival, taking place from March 13-18, 2023. As a showcasing artist, you’ll gain unparalleled access to an audience of industry professionals, international media and new fans.
Important details:
- One official SXSW showcase performance is guaranteed per invited act.
- Showcase slots run an average of 40 minutes (some exceptions may apply).
- Showcases will take place between March 13-18, 2023.
- SXSW does not provide artist backline or cover travel and accommodation expenses.
Music Showcase Applications are open to:
- All music genres
- Artists from around the world
- Signed and unsigned artists
Application Deadlines:
- Early Deadline: August 12, 2022
- Final Deadline: October 7, 2022
- All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT.
Joshua Tree Music Festival Artists Submissions
Founded in 2003, the bi-annual (May & Oct) Joshua Tree Music Festival is held at the gateway to the world-renowned National Park. JTMF is a resource-generating powerhouse of passionate creativity, community empowerment, and arts education for all ages. A family inclusive global music experience in the magical Mojave.
The festivals are family friendly events, creating an all ages audience. The eclectic line-ups draw a diverse crowd of discerning live music fans who love the outdoors. The National Park is one of the premier rock climbing destinations in the world (2 million visitors annually). People come to climb and dance. Many come for the festival and stay for a vacation of camping and adventure in the park.
The Great American Song Contest 2022
The Great American Song Contest is open to songwriters, lyricists & music composers worldwide.
This annual event is designed for amateur and semi-pro songwriters only. Individuals who earn over $10,000 annually from song publishing royalties are not eligible.
- An entry fee of $35 is required for each entered song. (Note: There is a limit of 10 songs per songwriter per year.)
- If the same song is entered in multiple categories, each requires a separate entry fee.
- This year’s submission deadline is November 17, 2022. Online submissions must be received by this date. Mailed submissions must be postmarked by this date.
- All entrants will be sent an entry confirmation and judging schedule when their songs are received and processed.
The New Colossus Festival
The New Colossus Festival is a celebration of live music focusing on emerging artists from around the world. We take a slightly different approach and prioritize the artists’ careers by putting together a comprehensive series of showcases targeted to the music industry, press, and local fans. We have also built this annual event as a space for likeminded artists to connect with one another because we all know that is where the magic really happens.
Please keep in mind, unlike a traditional gig, this is a showcase which is a 30min set with the main purpose of being seen by “buyers” such as industry: booking agents, record label A&R, managers, sync licensing, and fans.
- Application deadline: November 1, 2022.
SongDoor International Songwriting Competition
SongDoor’s is a song contest that aims to:
- Provide a channel for new original music to be heard
- Provide useful tools to improve writers’ skills.
All songs are fully screened by industry professionals with real connections to music publishing, producers, artists and labels, and are judged by industry pros who have worked with Neil Young, Justin Timberlake, Tony Bennett, Britney Spears, Kenny Rogers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Fray, Train and dozens of other notable artists.
Each year, entrants are given a free unlimited-access trial to SongU.com plus a free songwriting software program (compatible with either Mac or Windows).
Prizes: The total awards purse is valued at more than $40,000 and includes a full-band session demo (recorded and produced at Sixteen Ton Studio), a single-song publishing contract, exclusive pitching and networking opportunities, a comprehensive assortment of top-shelf songwriting software and more. The competition is open to amateurs and professionals worldwide.
Application deadline: November 15, 2022.
Send your music to the best labels, radio stations, media outlets and industry professionals on Groover ⬇️
