Frequently Asked Questions
Starting December 12th through March 27th we accept submissions by SonicBids or by mail. You must submit an application to be considered for a showcase performance at Dfest.
Where do I go to submit an application to Dfest? Hide
The 2009 Volunteer Calls will be announced soon.
You need to head over the Dfest Artist Area Sign-up [artists.dfest.info/login/main.php] and sign into our online database and fill out the online application, and then you can complete your submission either by submitting your EPK at SonicBids or complete your application by sending the requested materials by mail. Come out to our free party December 12th at Circle Cinema to drop off your submission and enjoy a party on us. See the latest news for more details.
Don't worry, if you can't come to our party, you still have plenty of time to submit your application, we take submissions through March 27, 2009.
What will I need to submit to have a complete submission and what does it cost? Hide
There are two ways to submit an application, and you only need to do one, not both. The first choice is to have an account with Sonicbids.com and submit via your account once submissions go live on December 12th. The second choice is to submit your application by snail mail (or attend our party and save on postage) and we must receive your submission sometime between December 12 through March 27th.
You will need to fill out an online form first (regardless if you use Sonicbids or snail mail). After you fill it out and submit it online, you will receive a confirmation email. Print out that email and send a copy of it along with a presskit that includes a bio, picture, press clippings, a CD with at least 3 songs, plus your application fee.
The application fee to submit an application to be considered to perform/showcase at Dfest is $15.00. There are no other fees required to pay in order to submit an application or if you are selected to perform/showcase at Dfest.
Do showcasing artists receive compensation or any money to pay for travel expenses? Hide
Artists selected to showcase at Dfest are not paid monetarily, however every member of each performing act plus two crew members will receive complimentary (free) Dfest All-Event badges with festival access. Each All-Event Badge is valued at $150.00.
Selected artists must provide their own travel and lodging as well. This is a showcase and networking opportunity - meaning, this is an investment in your career. The price to come to Dfest, paying your way to get here and finding a place to stay/getting a hotel room for your band and packing everyone in, is well worth the cost as we help connect your band to both industry insiders and new fans. If you prepare for your showcase and your time at Dfest, attend panels, meet panelists, participate at the conference, promote your showcase, and plan ahead by having merchandise which you can sell in our merch village, you will find that your investment will pay off.
Additionally, you can get a Dfest rate at our conference hotel, which is generally $89 a night and provides easy access to the festival site and the conference.
Are there still slots available at Dfest 2009? Hide
Submissions are currently being accepted until March 27, 2009. Once artists are selected in April of 2009, we only select artists to fill remaining slots from our pool of standby artists who submitted for a showcase during our submission time. In the case of bands who must cancel for reasons beyond their control, we will be booking our standby artists who are on notice of their standby status. If you have not received a standby artist notification, then it's safe to assume that we don't have a slot for you.
I received a standby artist notice, is there a chance I might be playing? Hide
There is actually a slim chance that standby artists could be invited to showcase still. If you have not been contacted by June 27, then it's probably safe to assume that we weren't able to find a showcase slot for you. We will do our best to email you and let you know for sure by June 27th. We usually do keep a handful of artists on hand as standby artists clear up until the event, because you'd be surprised - everything from broken bones, van breakdowns, etc. can cause a band to cancel in the 11th hour and the standby bands that are planning on coming to Dfest anyways to use their artist badge they receive simply because they submitted an application are usually the bands we select to fill these last minute showcase openings.
I am a standby artist (or a non-selected artist), what's this free badge you're talking about that we get? Hide
Every artist who submits a complete application is eligible to receive two complimentary Dfest Conference badges to attend the CONFERENCE only. If you were not selected to showcase at Dfest, whether you're a non-selected artist or a standby artist who we have yet to invite for a showcase, email artists@dfest.com and we'll get you on our artist database for two Dfest Conference badges. Who in your act gets to use the badges is up to you, but they are good only for access to the conference.
We do this because we have over 1000 submissions to Dfest and just because your band is not selected does not mean that we want to exclude you from the conference and the opportunities that go along with the conference. Many worthy acts have been turned down simply because we only showcase 150 artist at Dfest.
I'm a non-selected or standby artist and I emailed Dfest for my free badges, but no one has gotten back to me. Have you forgotten about me? Hide
Absolutely not. We have your email in our database and you wil be contacted by mid-June to complete a simple form so that you can get registered for your free badges. Hang in there, we'll get to you shortly - it's important to us that you're able to attend the conference, so we won't forget to follow up with you.
I want to attend the festival if my band doesn't get selected but, but I may not find out about my showcase status until after the Early Bird Pricing goes up? How can I make sure I'm getting the cheapest tickets to the festival in case I don't get a showcase? Hide
No worries there. Once you receive your showcase status, all artists who submitted a complete showcase application will have the opportunity to purchase Artist Packages (Limit 10 per band) (1 Artist Pack = 1 Conference Badge+2-Day Festival Pass) at a special artist price of $50.00 plus $5.00 svc fee (total $55.00) for a LIMITED TIME. And all artists who submitted a complete showcase application will have the opportunity to purchase Artist-priced wristbands (limit 10 per band) for a LIMITED TIME for $37.00 plus $4.00 fee (total $41.00). The Artist Packages and Artist-Priced 2-Day Wristbands will be available for sale only from May 8 - June 30, 2009.
And remember, non-selected artists automatically receive two free Conference Badges, so the additional Artist Packages would most likely be for additional band members.
Keep in mind, if you want VIP access to the festival, then that's a totally separate issue. You will have to reserve your VIP pass by purchasing a VIP Package at either the Early Bird or Advanced Pricing, depending on quantities still available, as there are limited quantities of both available for sale. Then if you do get selected to showcase, we will simply refund the portion you paid for your 2-Day Wristband (and Conference Badge, if you bought the VIP with Conf. Badge + 2-day Pass).
Do artists get VIP Perks? Hide
No, VIP is a special perk that attendees must pay for. If you want VIP access to the festival, then you will have to reserve your VIP pass by purchasing a VIP Package at either the Early Bird or Advanced Pricing, depending on quantities still available, as there are limited quantities of both available for sale. Then if you do get selected to showcase, we will simply refund the portion you paid for your 2-Day Wristband (and Conference Badge, if you bought the VIP with Conf. Badge + 2-day Pass). If you don't get selected, then you will have VIP access to the music festival and you get two free Conference Badges for access to the Conference, so you'll be set (to network and have fun!) This way you only pay for the VIP upgrade if you're selected or worst-case scenario, you're getting to buy VIP access at the lowest price for planning ahead.
