OPEN CALL for PERFORMERS:
2025 BAMS Festival
& Momentum
OPEN CALL: PERFORMANCE APPLICATIONS
(Music Artists, DJs, Poets & Dance Groups)
We are thrilled that you want to be considered for Boston's largest Black summer arts and music festival.
We are now accepting performance applications from musicians, poets, Djs and dance groups for the 7th Annual Boston Art & Music Soul Festival, taking place June 28, 2025.
Additionally, we are excited to ANNOUNCE a new opportunity to apply for called MOMENTUM. Taking place June 26 thru June 30, 2025, this citywide celebration features artist showcases, conversations, exhibitions and networking events - all to amplify and uplift the unstoppable power, creativity, and influence of the Black creative economy.
Call for submissions opens November 8, and closes November 29, 2024. Upon receiving your application, we will review and notify all applicants via email regarding their status on or before December 20, 2024. If selected, further instructions will be sent to you via email.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us opencall@bamsfest.org
opens:
11/8/2024
9:00AM Est
closes:
11/29/2024
11:59PM Est
Important Details to Know
Before you consider applying, please read about new important changes and details:
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There is one single application for both BAMS Festival 2025 and Momentum.
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This year, there is a $5.00 USD, non-refundable application processing fee.
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ORIGINAL MUSIC from music artists is strongly encouraged. Cover bands are not allowed to apply!
If selected for BAMS Festival 2025
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There are limited performance slots
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Festival performances run an average of 20 minutes (some exceptions may apply)
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Performances are on a paid sliding scale. Payment is a one-time direct deposit for the act, not per member.
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If you are invited to perform at BAMS Festival, you cannot perform in a Momentum showcase.
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Festival performances take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025
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BAMS Fest does not cover artist travel or accommodation expenses
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Backline is not guaranteed.
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Must be at least 18+ to apply. Applicants between 14 and 17 can apply but must have a legal guardian or agent complete your application
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BAMS Festival Applications are open to:
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All music genres, dance groups and an open format DJs
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Signed and unsigned music artists are welcome
If selected for a Momentum Showcase 2025
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One official music showcase performance is guaranteed per invited act
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Showcase slots run an average of 30 minutes (some exceptions may apply)
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Performances are unpaid
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If you are invited to perform in a Momentum showcase, you cannot perform at BAMS Festival.
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Showcases will take place between June 26, 27, 29 and 30, 2025 (an additional date may be added)
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BAMS Fest does not cover artist travel or accommodation expenses
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Showcases may not provide backline
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Must be at least 18+ to apply. Applicants between 14 and 17 can apply but must have a legal guardian or agent complete your application
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Momentum Showcase Applications are open to:
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All music genres
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Unsigned artists are welcome
Additional Details:
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If invited, all artists will receive an Official VIP Pass for each band member and one manager. You will have primary access to official Momentum showcases, industry-related programming, parties, artist-specific activations, and networking opportunities. Some events are 21+ only.
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Artists who are not U.S. residents are responsible for securing any necessary visas or green cards for entry into the United States.
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All Momentum showcasing artists must agree to the BAMS Fest Performance Exclusivity Policy, which includes the following points:
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As an Official Momentum Showcasing Artist, your official Momentum Showcase is your first performance priority.
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Radius Clause: Most local and regional festivals have a radius clause that restricts an artist from performing within a certain radius of their event during a specific time frame (typically weeks to months) before and after it takes place. BAMS Fest has created a new and more equitable exclusivity clause that allows for more opportunity to perform during the event, with one main exception: Official artists may not perform any unofficial/non- Momentum shows three weeks before and during the festival dates (the “exclusivity curtain”), meaning between June 1 - 30, 2025. This requirement is in place specifically to protect official BAMS Festival partners, venues and artists, and to ensure the success of official showcases.
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Participation in events that BAMS Fest deems to be a conflict and/or adversely affect BAMS Festival + Momentum is also not allowed.
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Please note, artists who enter the U.S. with a non-work visa (such as a B Visa or via ESTA/Visa Waiver Program) are legally restricted to showcasing only at official BAMS Festival + Momentum events while in the country, whether the performance is paid or not.
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Invited Artists will not take actions that undermine the success or inhibit attendance of their official Momentum showcase, including accepting invitations for an excessive number of non-BAMS Festival or Momentum shows. Such actions negatively impact BAMS Festival + Momentum artist performances, showcase attendance, and the overall quality of showcases.
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Please note:
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Important: The person listed as Primary Contact in the application should be someone authorized to respond on behalf of the applying artist and who frequently checks their email. Notifications from BAMS Fest are sent to the Primary Contact's email address and require a timely response.
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Invited artists do not need to purchase a BAMS Festival VIP Pass to apply for, or take part in, a BAMS Festival performance or Momentum showcase. Artists who are not invited to showcase are able to purchase BAMS Festival credentials at a discounted rate after notification of status, if they still wish to attend. There are no refunds if you've previously purchased a credential at a higher rate, or if you decide not to attend if you are not offered a showcase.
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If you do not receive notification by December 20, 2024, please follow up by email to ensure your performance application has been submitted properly and is under consideration.
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To keep important BAMS Fest emails from landing in your spam folder it's a good idea to add the following address to your contact list: opencall@bamsfest.org
FAQs on Applying to BAMS Festival
Got more questions? Email us at info@bamsfest.org
Can I perform at both BAMS Festival and another BAMS Fest event throughout the year?
Yes you can! Applications sent during the BAMS Festival performance period will be considered for the Festival.
What is the minimum age to apply to perform at BAMS Festival 2024?
For BAMS Festival 2025 and Momentum showcases, we will be featuring a youth stage (ages 14-17) called Kidchella. We will also have a larger stage for emerging to national artists, who are at least 18 years of age to apply for the festival.
Can I still apply, even if I performed at BAMS Festival in the past?
If you performed in 2024, you cannot apply for BAMS Festival 2025. All other past Festival and Alumni artists can apply to perform.
If selected, do I have to pay to perform?
For youth under the age of 17, a nominal honorarium will be provided to the guardian of the group. For professional artists that are selected, based on availability and budget we will make a reasonable offer to pay as many local and independent artists. The maximum honorarium we provide is $600.00 for an entire band.
If selected, do I need to be vaccinated to perform on stage?
Given that state and city mandates change all of the time, we are not requiring all artists and their bandmates to provide proof of vaccination. If city and state mandates change, all artists will be required to show proof of vaccination.
How many people are allowed on stage in a band?
A maximum of five (5) people are allowed on stage to perform. For music performance, you are allowed to have background vocal tracks.
Are cover bands allowed to apply?
No. This festival is about artist discovery, thus we emphasize ORIGINAL MUSIC.
How many people attended previous BAMS Festivals?
Approximately 10,600+ people attended BAMS Festival in 2022, 10,200+ in 2023 and 9,400+ in 2024.
Where is the Festival located? How big are the grounds?
BAMS Festival 2025 will be held at Playstead Field inside the historic Franklin Park. Playstead Field is is approximately eighteen and a half (10) acres of green space (Franklin Park is about 527 acres).
Where will Momentum showcases be held?
Various music and non-traditional performance spaces across the City of Boston with capacities of 100 - 500 people.
I’m not from Boston/I don’t live in Boston, can I still apply?
Yes. You can.
Over the years, we have received 15K applications from across the globe, thus we welcome all types of performers to apply. Preference will be given to artists identify with Afro-diaspora descent and/or who reside in within New England States (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and Connecticut.)
BAMS Fest, is not responsible for roundtrip airfare, hotel/lodging, and/or transportation to and from the festival ground for performers. If you are not from the immediate area, please note you will be responsible for your own transportation (to and from the festival) and hotel accommodations.
Shall I bring my own instruments?
BAMS Festival will provide basic sound, power and lighting. Our set-up is for a plug-in play. We will offer a drum kit, amps, monitors, microphones, cords, etc. You are responsible for bringing your own personal instruments.
Is BAMS Festival all ages?
Yes! BAMS Festival is all ages. This means NO PROFANITY, suggestive lyrics or performances ARE NOT BE ALLOWED!
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Can I mail my application?
No. We are only accepting digital applications submitted through our website.
Any tips or advice for creating or submitting my performance video submission?
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Make sure your audio and visual is clear.
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State your stage name and hometown.
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Select a song that showcases your skill, talent and energy!
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Do not exceed ninety (90) seconds with your video submission.
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Use YouTube or Vimeo to upload your video (remove any passwords).
What if I don’t have a social media page (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, etc)?
Create one. You’re an artist. Social media is the NUMBER ONE medium to showcase your artistry.