Artist applications for Mountaingrass 2023 have now closed. ​
However, if you are interested in applying for Mountaingrass in future note that Mountaingrass only selects acts that play bluegrass and American old-time music on acoustic instruments.

Information about the festival and our Artist Selection Criteria are available below. 

About Mountaingrass

“Mountaingrass” is the official festival of the Australasian Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association of Australia (ABOTMA). 

The festival aims to present performances of bluegrass and traditional old-time music, related workshops, and opportunities for attendees to share with each other through jamming and picking sessions.

Perform

Mountaingrass is a participative event for performers and ticket buyers alike. We are looking for musicians who want to be a part of the event and be involved not only in concerts but also in workshops, jams including slow jams, and picking sessions.

Performers will usually have at least two performances in different venues during the event. Concerts occur in the evenings and afternoons. Workshops are held on Saturday and Sunday mornings. 
Acts, whether booked for the concert program or not, are welcome to perform on our walk-up stage.

As Bluegrass and Old Time music are acoustic music forms, the festival encourages acoustic performances. Plugged-in or other non-acoustic instruments are discouraged. Professional sound engineers are available to provide microphone amplification.

Partners and children of performers selected to perform at the festival can obtain half price tickets provided names and numbers are included in the application form. Partners are also most welcome to volunteer their services and receive a free ticket for the festival in return.

In support of the bluegrass and old time cause, performers are encouraged to become part of ABOTMA through membership of the organisation. Application to join is available through ABOTMA or on site at the festival.

Performers are asked to organise their own accommodation. 

However, in some cases accommodation may be considered as part of a performance fee and booked by the organisers. If this is the case, please indicate your requirements in your application. There is a wide range of accommodation in Beechworth ranging from camping to whole housers. There is some motel style accommodation available on site at Mayday Hills. For accommodation options click here.

Performer accommodation 

The festival will engage around 15 bands and workshop presenters. When selecting artists we use the following criteria:

a) Type of material performed: In accordance with the charter of ABOTMA to encourage bluegrass and old-time music performance, we will only select acts playing bluegrass and American old-time music with acoustic stringed instruments.

b) Type of Performances: In most cases, artists will be given at least two concert spots. Performers who can also provide a workshop or lead a jam or slow jam related to bluegrass or old-time music will be given preference, as will artists prepared to stay for the entire festival including Sunday evening. Being a participative event, it is considered important that all performing artists join in on picks and sessions over the weekend.

c) Performing Experience and Profile: To be considered for a performance at the festival, artists must present a polished act and have previous experience performing on stage.

d) Promotional material: Performers should have promotional material such as CDs, merchandise, a website, photos and a bio that we can use in the promotion of Mountaingrass. When applying via the Application Form, performers are to submit a biography suitable for publication, and examples of their music via CDs, MP3s or links to sound files on their website.

e) Fees or contribution: The festival committee aims to provide a modest fee to each artist or group which is primarily intended to be a reimbursement for travel and accommodation. When proposing a fee or contribution please indicate on your application whether your fee is negotiable. 

All performance fees submitted are to include GST if applicable and should indicate which components.

f) Applications: Final selections will be made in May-June after applications have closed. 

Letters of notification, whether successful or not, will be sent to all applicants.

Artist Selection Criteria

Payment and public liability insurance
Artists who intend to request a performance fee must provide us with a copy of their own public liability insurance and their invoice before the festival. Invoices will not be paid until we have the set lists for your performances (for APRA).

Performers who do not have their own public liability insurance can play as a volunteer for a ‘contribution’ paid to them after the event. As a volunteer they will be covered under the ABOTMA’s Public Liability Insurance policy.

Where possible, acts are asked to donate at least one CD or item of merchandise to the festival raffle. In return, Mountaingrass will sell performer CDs throughout the event at no extra charge and also provide a signing table.

Artists and bands must identify all members of their act on the application and indicate if particular members appear in other acts that are applying. This is to assist in programming.

Artists are responsible for all their accommodation (unless negotiated otherwise), meals and drinks. Unfortunately, the festival does not provide riders for artists.

Artists Responsibilities

For any further information please contact ABOTMA