Performer Application
The Tucson Folk Festival is a free, community-driven music festival that annually features over 150 performances by more than 450 musicians. These include both volunteer performers and paid featured acts and headliners.
Each year, we welcome a diverse mix of local, regional, and national acts across a wide range of musical styles.
Performer Selection Process
Performer applications are reviewed through a blind, juried selection process that focuses primarily on submitted recordings. Our selection committee is made up of 5 to 10 members, including:
- TKMA members
- Past festival performers
- Local and regional musicians
- Longtime music lovers
- Sponsors
- a TKMA Board Representative
Over 300 performers apply each year for a spot on one of our festival stages. Stage slots are limited and highly competitive.
Who Performs?
We prioritize a strong presence of local and regional talent, while also welcoming performers from across the country:
- 60% of performers are from Greater Tucson
- 20% from elsewhere in Arizona
- 20% from out of state
| October 1 | Application period opens. No Application Fee through October 31. |
| November 1 | Late application period opens. $30 Application Fee through November 15. |
| November 15 | Performer application period closes at 11:59 PM. No applications will be considered after this date. |
| January 1 | Performer selections and schedule announced. |
| January 15 | Performer deadline for confirmation back to TKMA. |
Questions or Need More Info?
Contact: Jerry Martin, Festival Performer Coordinator, jerrymartin@hotmail.com, 516-644-6137
Hello Prospective Performer!
Thanks for your interest in performing at the annual Tucson Folk Festival. Please read what follows in full.
The Most Important Things You Need to Know
- This is a volunteer (unpaid) performer application.
- The Festival focuses on acoustic-oriented folk and related styles (Americana, Blues, Celtic, Mariachi, etc.).
- Performances will be recorded live and digital downloads available post-festival.
- Applications judged blindly by a diverse committee based mostly on audio demos.
- Only online applications accepted.
This is an Application to be a VOLUNTEER Performer
Other than Headliners, this is an all-volunteer event.
To be considered as a Headliner at a future festival, you or your agent may contact us
The Tucson Folk Festival is an ACOUSTIC-ORIENTED event
We use a very broad definition of “Folk” music. We seek to include performers who bring variety and creativity to the Festival.
In addition to traditional folk music, we welcome Americana, Blues, Celtic, Indie, Bluegrass, Newgrass, Mariachi, Tejano, Yaqui, Waila and other ethnic, world and innovative acoustic music forms.
The Tucson Folk Festival offers digital downloads of performances
Festival performers may choose to have their sets recorded live. Electronic stereo recordings will be made available as digital downloads after the Festival. Accepted acts will receive more details.
General Festival Information
- 41st Annual Tucson Folk Festival: April 10-12, 2026 (Friday-Sunday).
- Main venue: Jacome Plaza and nearby stages downtown Tucson.
- Performance sets: usually 25 minutes, some 45 minutes.
- Professional sound system, microphones, and DI boxes provided.
- Performers provide their own music stands.
The Stefan George Memorial Songwriting Competition
This competition REQUIRES a separate application.
The competition is held Friday, April 10, 2026 on the Jacome Plaza Stage.
Performance Venue & Sets
Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, 2026: Festival activities are centered in and around Jacome Plaza Park, surrounding the Joel D. Valdez Main Library in Downtown Tucson. Additional stages are within walking distance of the park. Getting there.
Selected Performer Sets will generally be 25 minutes long with a 5 minute changeover (half-hour schedule). Sets on the Plaza Stage and a few select sets on the other stages will be 45 minutes long with a 15 minute changeover. Extended set-up time will cut into your performance time.
Sound System & Music Stands
A professional sound system and engineer will be provided at each stage.
◦ Microphones will be available for vocals and acoustic instruments
◦ Digital Interfaces (DIs) will be available for instruments with pickups
◦ Performers provide their own music stands, if needed.
Application
- You are applying as a VOLUNTEER performer.
- Apply online only — no paper forms.
- Membership in TKMA is not required to apply or perform.
- We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to support the Festival by becoming a TKMA member.
- A separate application is required for the Stefan George Memorial Songwriting Competition.
Instrument Rules
Allowed
- Acoustic Instruments of all kinds.
- Electrc bass. A bass amp will be provided at each stage.
- Electronic pianos – without special effects.
- Pre-assembled pedal boards for instruments with pick-ups.
- Pedal steel guitars and small harmonica amps.
- Percussion of all kinds, including small drum kits.
Restricted
- Large drum kits due to limited stage space and set-up time (we provide a drum backline on several stages).
- Drum machines and backing tracks of any kind.
- Multiple instrument pedal set-ups due to limited set-up time.
Exceptions
- Request exceptions in the application form, if needed.
Selection Process
Completed performer applications and demos are reviewed through a blind, juried selection process. The experienced selection committee is made up of 5 – 10 rotating community members that include a mix of TKMA members, past Festival performers, local and regional professional and amateur musicians, longtime Festival supporters and music lovers, sponsors, and a TKMA Board Representative who collectively make the final selection decisions by consensus.
Your audio subissions are the most important factor in our selection process. Demos should reflect the act as they will perform at the Festival, to the best of your abilities. Each act is considered thoughtfully and respectfully. Additional aspects of the application (Videos, Biography, Accomplishments, Discography, etc) are used to facilitate decision-making in the case of ties and to aid in scheduling.
Our goal is to create a diverse program of high-quality musical acts, including both new performers and perennial favorites.
Performance Demo Submittals
- Submit 3 audio tracks in MP3 format — no CDs or tapes.
- Audio demos must represent your live sound with your performing lineup.
- Avoid over-produced or studio recordings with extra musicians/effects.
- Video links (YouTube, Vimeo) encouraged — submit URLs only, no video files.
- Audio & Video Recording Guides.
The Audio and Video Demo submittals form the basis of our application selection process.
All Audio performance demos must be submitted electronically in compressed format (MP3) by uploading to our server. The online application form will lead you through the process. Audio performances MUST be representative of how you will sound LIVE, with only the musicians
you plan to include on stage.
- THE SELECTION COMMITTEE PREFERS THAT YOU DO NOT SUBMIT PRODUCED STUDIO RECORDINGS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY INCLUDE MUSICIANS WHO WILL NOT BE WITH YOU.
- NOTE THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR SOLO/DUO ACTS. Multi-instrument “band” recordings of Acts intending to perform as Solo or Duo, or studio recordings with electronic effects WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR SOUND AS YOU INTEND TO PERFORM.
- Submit only 3 Audio tracks! Select pieces that show off your strengths and diversity, and avoid talking or long musical introductions.
CDs or Tapes are not accepted. CD files, Youtube videos or tape recordings must be converted to MP3 Audio format prior to uploading.
- Alternate Audio or Video formats can be converted to MP3 audio using this link:
https://www.freeconvert.com/mp3-converter. - Youtube URLs can be be converted to MP3 via this link: https://mp3-convert.org/mp3-youtube/
- Contact us if you need additional assistance.
Acts are STRONGLY encouraged to also submit video URL links of live performances. Videos will be considered in selection and scheduling decisions. Video performance demos must be submitted as a URL link to an external server (YouTube, Vimeo, Google Docs, etc.). DO NOT UPLOAD VIDEO FILES! SUBMIT URL LINKS ONLY.
Video Recording Guide [page not found]
Additional notes on Performance Demo Submittals:
- We do not keep any submittals from prior years.
- Bands must identify “core performers” and “side performers”. This helps us avoid scheduling conflicts when core performers appear in multiple acts. Side performers are welcome to join as many acts as they like, but we cannot guarantee that every side performer can participate in every act they want.
- Duplicate applications will not be accepted. Bands with the same core performers performing similar material under different names are ineligible.
- Demo tracks should accurately reflect your festival performance. Use the same members, number of performers, and instrumentation you will have on stage. Soloists should avoid adding backup musicians who will not perform live.
- Professional recordings are not required, but poor sound quality can hurt your chances. Clear, simple phone recordings are acceptable. Live video submissions are encouraged to showcase your talent.
- Over-produced or electronically modified recordings will not be accepted. We want to hear your live performance sound, not a studio-produced version with extra musicians or effects.
- Festival programming aims for variety. We seek a balance of original material, lesser-known covers, and unique arrangements of popular songs. Acts may focus on any combination of these.
- Overall lineup diversity is a priority. We strive to include new performers, returning favorites, and a range of cultural and musical traditions reflective of Tucson’s rich heritage.
Stage & Schedule Assignments
- We cannot honor requests to perform on a particular stage or at a particular time.
- Headliners are by invitation only.
Ready to apply?
If you agree to the Application Instructions above, APPLY HERE
Additional Pre-Festival Information
If I’m selected, may I sell CDs or other merch at the event?
Yes! Performers may sell CDs and download cards at the Festival in two ways:
- On Consignment at the TKMA Kitchen Store (Jácome Plaza):
- CDs are typically priced at $15, but you may set your own price.
- TKMA commission:
– $2 per CD (any price)
– $1 per $5 download card
– $2 per $10+ download card - Full consignment details will be provided after finalists are selected.
- At the TKMA Table Near the Stage (Immediately After Your Set):
- You or a designated helper may sell CDs directly after your performance.
- Please note: TKMA volunteers will not handle money at this location — only at the Kitchen Store.
Additional Festival Opportunities
Ballad Tree
The Ballad Tree is a beloved festival tradition — an informal song circle where musicians, singers, poets, and storytellers gather to share songs and stories in a round-robin format.
- Play a tune you just wrote or one passed down through generations
- Open to all skill levels — from beginners to seasoned performers
- Acoustic instruments only
- No signups needed — just bring your instrument and join the circle!
Everyone is welcome — performers and listeners alike.
Workshops
Sharing your skills and knowledge is a great way to contribute to the Festival community.
If you have a topic you’d like to teach in a 45–60 minute workshop, simply enter your idea in the “Other Opportunities” field when applying — and we’ll follow up with you.
Workshops are open to all attendees who want to get involved.
You don’t need to be a Festival Performer or Songwriting Competition finalist to apply.
Volunteering
The Tucson Folk Festival relies on over 200 volunteers each year to make the event happen.
Whether you want to help during the festival or support pre-festival activities like fundraisers, publicity, sponsorship outreach, and more, we’d love to have you involved.