Below you will find Nashville Music Guide’s compiled listing of annual music festivals and conferences, helping bands and musicians increase their industry knowledge, broaden their networking reach, and better promote and showcase their music, shows, and tours.
We did our best to include a thorough and comprehensive index, but if for some reason we’ve overlooked a specific event, please let us know so that we can add it to the site ASAP.
With regards to any larger festivals, be sure to think outside of the box. While many of them do not regularly book independent acts as part of their official showcases, the national and international bands that do perform often draw some of the biggest built-in crowds imaginable, and provide a huge influx of music lovers and enthusiasts to each respective event location.
So try booking a show at one or several of that city’s smaller local venues/bars/restaurants during the festival itself and take advantage of the vast number of music fans located in one place at one time. Even playing an ad-lib acoustic set in the event parking lot can go a long way in gaining you new fans and selling some merch.
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Touring Music Festivals & Conferences
Independent Music Conference (IMC)
“The Independent Music Conference® is a highly effective learning and networking environment which has been presented nationwide.”
International Pop Overthrow
“International Pop Overthrow (or IPO, as it has affectionately become known) is a pop music festival which has been held for the past fourteen years in Los Angeles. We have also held IPO for various years in Chicago, New York, Boston, San Diego, Phoenix, Detroit, Milwaukee, Portland, Seattle, Austin, Dallas, Vancouver, and Toronto, as well as in Liverpool (at the world famous Cavern Club), and London, UK!” – Submit to Perform
Mayhem Festival
Mayhem is a touring Metal festival that typically hits the road during the month of July to travel and perform throughout the U.S. Artists vary depending on the year.
Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference
“NERFA is part of the larger Folk Alliance International, an association that aims to foster and promote multicultural, traditional and contemporary folk music, while strengthening and advancing organizational and individual initiatives in folk music and dance through education, networking, advocacy, and professional and field development.” – Submit to Perform
Ozzfest
We all know Ozzy Osbourne’s Ozzfest. This is an annual Hard Rock and Metal touring festival that now even hits the UK and Japan.
Riot Fest
“In 2005, Riot Fest booked a multi-venue weekend of punk and rock in Chicago with bands such as Dead Kennedys, The Misfits, and The Bouncing Souls kicking things off. We even had ticket giveaways on our sweet Myspace page, and since then have been working hard every year to bring you the best fest we can.” – Submit to Perform
The Rock/Star Summit – Dates: Mid April
“The Rock/Star Summit is a 3-day virtual music conference aimed at helping musicians & musicpreneurs gain confidence & clarity when networking & building their careers. Panels will focus on Finance, Legal, Branding/Social Media, Touring, Recording, & Self-Care, with a private FB group for support throughout the conference, and a Live Q&A with all panel experts.”