How to Get Booked for Festivals as an Unsigned Band

Festival slots can feel like the golden ticket - big stages, new fans, and a chance to show what your band can do. But if you’re unsigned, the application process can feel like shouting into a void. You fill out forms, send links, and… nothing.

The truth? Most unsigned bands apply the same way - and that’s the problem.

If you want to get booked, you need to stand out for the right reasons. That means treating your application like an opportunity - not just another task.

Start with your EPK (Electronic Press Kit). Make sure it’s clean, current, and actually shows what you sound like live. This means solid photos, one or two strong songs, a short bio that gets to the point, and - crucially - video. No video? No booking. Even a clip from a recent pub gig or rehearsal room is better than nothing. Promoters want proof that you can hold a crowd.

Don’t just send your latest Spotify link and hope for the best. Festivals want to book bands that fit. So research before you apply. Look at last year’s line-up. If you’re a post-metal band applying to a folk festival, you're wasting everyone’s time. Tailor your message - one or two sentences about why your sound would work at their event goes further than copy-pasting the same blurb to 40 different places.

Your subject line and first sentence matter. Festival bookers get hundreds of emails. If yours starts with “Hi, we’re an up-and-coming band from…” you’ve already lost their attention. Try something like “Heavy, cinematic 3-piece ready to bring our live show to [Festival Name] - links inside.” Be human. Be clear. Be confident.

Keep your email short. One paragraph of who you are, one paragraph of what you’re offering, and a link to everything they need. Make sure your links work. Nothing screams unprepared like a broken YouTube video or a password-protected Dropbox.

Once you’ve sent it - don’t pester. But if the deadline passes and you haven’t heard anything, a short, polite follow-up is fine. Just don’t make it desperate.

And if you don’t get in? Use that as fuel. Play local shows, film better clips, strengthen your set. Many festivals book from recommendations - so becoming known in your regional scene can matter more than the perfect application.

Getting on a festival line-up isn’t just about music. It’s about being ready. Presenting yourself well. Showing that you can deliver. And making sure they remember your name for the right reasons.