Emerging artist open call

Artist Submission

Take your sound to the Bournemouth Reggae Weekender stage, 23–25 July 2027.

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Read before you apply

Download the BRW 2027 Emerging Artist Standard Terms & Conditions.

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Take your sound to the Bournemouth Reggae Weekender stage

23–25 July 2027 · Kings Park, Bournemouth

This open call is for our Emerging Artist programme — bands, solo artists, DJs and sound systems who share our stages alongside a headline lineup we announce separately. If that’s you, tell us about your act below.

If you’re an established touring act, agent or agency looking to discuss a direct booking rather than an open-call slot, please get in touch with our booking team directly instead of applying through this form.

Who we're looking for

Reggae, dancehall, roots, dub, lovers rock, jungle and UK sound-system culture — if your sound sits in that world, we want to hear it. We’re looking for UK and European-based acts across every stage of the journey: bands, solo artists, DJs and sound systems alike.

What matters most isn’t how big you already are — it’s whether you bring a genuine connection with your own audience, real experience performing live, and a sound and story that sit naturally alongside the rest of our line-up. We’re building a weekend around culture and community, not just a poster of names, so that’s what we’re listening for in every application.

How we select

Every application is read against the same five things. No single one decides it on its own — we build a full picture across all five before we make an offer:

  • Live Track Record — Real stage experience — the festivals, venues and shows you’ve played.
  • Audience Fit — How naturally your sound and story sit alongside the Weekender’s culture and audience.
  • Promotional Partnership — How you show up as a partner in selling your own slot — more on this below.
  • Social Reach — How connected you are with your following on the platforms that matter for this scene.
  • Streaming Traction — Your momentum on Spotify, YouTube and the platforms people use to discover you.

The Promotional Partnership

Every artist we book becomes a partner in getting the word out, not just a name on a poster. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

  • Before we announce — A short video featuring you — a Reel, TikTok or Short, not a static graphic — delivered to us ahead of the official lineup announcement, for our launch campaign.
  • Around the announcement — Once the lineup goes public, we’ll invite you to a Collaboration post so it lands on both our page and yours at the same time.
  • Closer to the event — One more push from you in the final two weeks before the Weekender, when momentum matters most.

You’ll also get your own unique promo code and tracking link. Every ticket sold through it is tracked straight back to you — so the more you promote your slot, the more you can see (and earn from) the direct return. See payment terms below.

Payment terms

  • Platform fee — Agreed per booking — up to £1,500 for Emerging Artist slots.
  • Revenue share — Optional — 5% of ticket sales made specifically through your own unique promo code and link, not a share of general event revenue. Entirely your choice whether to opt in.
  • Deposit — Paid following the official lineup announcement (typically May), timed alongside our Arts Council funding.
  • Final payment — Settled after the event, once ticketing funds have cleared — by 15 August.

Full terms are set out in the BRW 2027 Emerging Artist standard terms & conditions.

Key dates

MilestoneDate
Applications openJuly (reopens annually, shortly after each Weekender)
Applications close1 December
Decisions communicatedRolling — as soon as your application is assessed, not one batch date
Lineup announcementMay 2027
Bournemouth Reggae Weekender23–25 July 2027
Bournemouth Reggae Weekender 2027

Tell us about your act

Complete the application below for consideration. Fields marked * are required.

    Artist Details

    Contact Details

    Leave blank if self-managed — you don't need to be signed to apply

    Audience & Platforms

    Experience & Supporting Material

    Festivals/venues played in the last 24 months — dates and approx. audience size

    Optional, strengthens your application

    Screenshots or links showing how you've promoted past shows to your own audience

    Maximum file size 5MB.

    Confirmations

    Please check your details and attachments before submitting.