6 European Festivals in 2027 Artists Can Still Apply For Before the Year Ends

• Location: Tallinn, Estonia

• Genres: Open to all genres (Indie, Electronic, Metal, Folk, Experimental, Pop)

• Festival Dates: April 8–10, 2027

• Application Deadline: 26 October 2026, 23:59 (EET)

Tallinn Music Week (TMW) is an annual music and city culture festival that takes place in Tallinn, Estonia. The festival describes itself as a “multi-genre festival of unique talent across Europe and beyond with diverse genres from experimental electronica to classical in the best venues and clubs of Tallinn.”

The festival has been running since 2009. Over the years, it has become an important meeting point for musicians and industry professionals from the Nordic-Baltic region and across Europe and has a strong track record of helping emerging artists break into the international scene.

Next year, around 175 artists from a wide range of genres and scenes are expected to perform across Tallinn’s top venues, reaching an audience of approximately 20,000 people, including more than 1,000 industry professionals.

Performing at TMW is a chance to get your music in front of international booking agents and festival curators and play in front of a large audience. Moreover, artists get a TMW PRO Pass, which gives them access to the festival’s conference and allows them to participate in panel discussions, presentations, mentoring sessions, and one-on-ones with industry professionals. They also get access to the TMW PRO digital networking platform, as well as national and international promotion opportunities and exposure to 100+ music journalists.

How to apply: Submit your EPK online via the official Tallinn Music Week artist application form. The festival welcomes artists of all genres from across the globe. All applications are reviewed by TMW’s booking team, and both selected and non-selected artists will be notified by January 2027. After submitting your application, check that you’ve received a copy of your answers by email. If you don’t, your application has not gone through.

A few things to note: TMW does not cover international travel costs or performance fees. International artists may receive support with accommodation, catering and transfers from the airport or ferry terminal to the hotel. Once participation is confirmed, cancellations are only accepted for valid reasons. Artists are also responsible for submitting their final technical rider at least four weeks before their performance. Performances may be photographed, recorded, or broadcast for promotional purposes.

• Location: Brighton, United Kingdom

• Genres: Indie, Alternative, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Rock, Pop

• Festival Dates: May 12–15, 2027

• Application Deadline: February 15, 2027

The Great Escape (TGE) is a major showcase festival for new music that takes place every May across venues throughout Brighton, UK. The festival focuses on emerging artists and brings together hundreds of acts from the UK and around the world with music fans and thousands of international music industry professionals looking to discover new talent.

For artists, the festival offers a chance to perform in front of a large audience while getting your music in front of industry professionals from across the international music business. The festival has a strong focus on discovering artists at different stages of their careers, from acts playing their first shows outside their hometown to artists already building international momentum.

Since the wider festival program includes a conference with panels, keynote interviews, networking sessions, and other industry events, it can also be a useful way to build industry connections.

How to apply: Artist applications for TGE 2027 are free and open to artists of all genres from anywhere in the world until February 15, 2027. TGE does not accept press kits or submissions by email. All applications must be submitted through the official artist application system.

A few things to note: Selected artists will be contacted by March 31, 2027, at the latest. Non-UK artists should also check the UK’s current performance and visa requirements before applying.

• Location: Tønder, Denmark

• Genres: Folk, Roots, Country, Blues, Cajun, World Music

• Festival Dates: August 25–28, 2027

• Application Deadline: December 1, 2026

Tønder Festival is an annual music festival in Tønder, Denmark. It describes itself as a festival centered around “handmade music,” with genres such as folk, roots rock, country, blues, cajun and world music taking center stage. The festival has been running since 1975 and takes place every year on the last weekend of August. It brings both established international acts and emerging artists to its eight stages.

Beyond music performances, the festival also offers art, artist talks, food stalls, restaurants, bars and other experiences for visitors to explore. In the days leading up to the festival, there are also events focused on nature, history, culture, food, business and socializing, its website explains.

For artists, the festival offers the chance to perform to a dedicated audience with a strong interest in folk and roots music. Tønder accepts applications from both up-and-coming and established artists, making it a relevant opportunity for those whose music fits its program.

How to apply: Artist applications for the 2027 festival start on October 1st, 2026, and remain open until December 1, 2026. Applications can be submitted directly through the festival’s artist application form.

A few things to note: Tønder Festival is particularly focused on folk, roots, country, blues, cajun and world music, so artists should check that their music fits the festival’s musical direction before applying. The festival accepts applications from both emerging and established artists. International artists should check Denmark’s current travel and performance requirements before applying.

• Location: Wrexham, Wales, United Kingdom

• Genres: Wide range of genres

• Festival Dates: May 6–8, 2027

• Application Deadline: November 1, 2026

FOCUS Wales is an international music and film festival that takes place across multiple venues in the city of Wrexham, North Wales. It primarily focuses on emerging talent from Wales, but it also aims to give artists from across the globe the opportunity to perform at one of the city’s venues.

In 2027, FOCUS Wales will host more than 250 artists across 20 stages and expects to welcome more than 25,000 people to Wrexham. The live performances are complemented by a full program of interactive industry panels, networking events and film screenings throughout the festival. The broad range of activities gives artists the opportunity not only to perform in front of audiences, but also to connect with people working across the music industry.

With support from a wide range of sponsors and its recognition at the UK Festival Awards, where it was named Best Festival for Emerging Talent, FOCUS Wales is an established platform for new artists looking to build their audience and industry connections.

How to apply: Artists can apply to play through Amplead or directly via the FOCUS Wales application form. The festival is offering up to 100 artists a 30-minute set. Selected acts will receive catering, a standard backline for their performance, and passes for the entire festival and conference. They will be contacted by February 1, 2027.

A few things to note: Performance submissions are not accepted by email, and the festival does not accept cover bands or tribute acts. Performance fees are to be negotiated. Non-UK artists should also check the UK’s current performance and visa requirements before applying.

• Location: Twyford, United Kingdom

• Genres: Wide range of genres (indie rock, alternative, pop, electronic / DJs, etc.)

• Festival Dates: June 19, 2027

• Application Deadline: No deadline announced

Twyfest is an independent, non-profit community music festival that puts emerging artists and local acts at the center of its program. The festival provides professional sound and lighting equipment, giving independent artists the opportunity to perform in a well-equipped festival setting. As a free-entry event, it attracts an open and accessible audience throughout the day.

For artists, Twyfest offers an opportunity to perform in the UK, test new material, and capture high-quality live performance footage. The festival operates on a non-paying, community-based model, so artists should take this into account before applying.

How to apply: Artists can apply directly through the official Twyfest application portal or contact form by submitting streaming links and a few words about themselves.

A few things to note: Twyfest does not pay performing artists. Bands local to Twyford are prioritized, but the team considers all applications. Non-UK artists should check the UK’s current performance and visa requirements before applying.

• Location: Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany

• Genres: Heavy Metal, Hardcore, Thrash, Death Metal, Power Metal, Hard Rock

• Festival Dates: July 15–17, 2027

• Application Deadline: no clear deadline, usually late October

Dong Open Air (D.O.A.) is a long-running outdoor metal festival held on the Halde Norddeutschland in Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany, overlooking the Lower Rhine region. Running since 2001, the festival has established itself in the German metal scene and is best known for its distinctive hilltop location and diverse lineup.

The festival brings together bands from the regional, national, and international metal and rock scenes. Its lineup traditionally combines established names with lesser-known acts to give emerging bands the opportunity to share the stage with more established artists. Last year’s lineups have included acts such as Amorphis, Alestorm, Skindred and Overkill, alongside newer and independent bands and around 4,000 attendees.

For the 2026 edition, around 60% of the bands came through the festival’s application portal, and the festival states that it is actively looking for new discoveries. The application is open to bands regardless of how many records they have released or whether they have a record deal, making it a relevant opportunity for emerging and independent acts.

How to apply: Create a profile through the official Dong Open Air Band Application Portal, register your band, and upload your music. The application requires at least three songs per band, although the festival recommends submitting more material.

A few things to note: For bands selected through the application process, the festival states that the offer is based on cost reimbursement, free drinks, and catering rather than a standard performance fee. International artists should also keep in mind that the application portal is primarily in German, so they may need help from a German speaker or use a translation tool to complete the application.