Music festivals recruiting artists in 2026
Every year in France, thousands of festivals — from major stages to village fêtes — look for artists to programme. The problem is not a lack of opportunity: it is knowing who to contact, when, and how. Most musicians miss their season because they start too late or cannot find the right person.
How festivals recruit their artists
Most festivals build their line-up 6 to 12 months in advance. Big stages go through agents and bookers, but the vast majority of local, community and themed festivals recruit directly: a programming email, a listen, a reply. This is where most fees are won for an emerging artist.
When to contact them (the calendar that works)
- · September → December: the ideal window to target the following summer. Programmers open their files.
- · January → March: last slots, programme fill-in.
- · April → June: too late for the current summer — prepare for next year.
A preview of festivals in the database
Here is a real sample of festivals and music venues listed in our directory (real names, contacts masked in this preview):
| Festival / Venue | City |
|---|---|
| 100 Mil V'Ault | Ault |
| 1000 Sources et Dordogne | Latronche |
| 106 (Le) | Rouen |
| 109 (Le) | Montluçon |
| 11Bouge | Carcassonne |
| 24 Heures de l'insa | Villeurbanne |
| 24 Heures du Swing | Monségur |
| 37° à l'ombre | Tours |
| 4Écluses (Les) | Dunkerque |
| 6MIC (Le) | Aix-en-Provence |
| 6PAR4 (Le) | Laval |
| 6e continent | Lyon |
The full list
6 312 festivals & music venues
All verified contacts (100% valid emails), ready to reach out. Immediate delivery in XLSX + CSV + PDF. 7-day quality guarantee.
See the Festivals pack — 79 € →The message that gets replies
A good outreach email is short, personalised and concrete: introduce yourself in one sentence, provide a listening link, specify your format (solo, band, duration) and your travel area. Avoid heavy attachments — a Spotify or YouTube link is enough. Follow up once, politely, after 10 days.
Frequently asked questions
How much can you earn at a festival?
Fees range from €300 (small local festival) to several thousand euros (headline acts). For an emerging artist, targeting local and community festivals is the most realistic starting point.
Do you need an agent to play at festivals?
No. The majority of local festivals recruit directly. A well-targeted email is enough to land your first dates.
Is it legal to reach out to these contacts?
Yes, in a B2B context and with a clear professional purpose (GDPR legitimate interest), provided you include your identity and an opt-out link in your emails. All our contacts are professional organisations.