World Music Showcase
02 JULY 2026
powered by UPBEAT
THANK YOU FOR APPLYING!
SELECTION TO BE ANNOUNCED ON 11 MARCHAre you an emerging world music artist looking to grow your career and expand your international audience? Do you want to perform in front of program directors and curators from leading world music festivals and concert venues across Europe? Are you seeking new knowledge and opportunities to expand your professional network? Apply now for the International Showcase for emerging world music artists in Sofia, Bulgaria!
The call for applications for the International Showcase for emerging world music artists is open until February 06, 2026. All eligible applications will be evaluated by a five-member international jury. A total of 12 artists will be selected to participate in the showcase program in Sofia. The selected artists will be announced on March 11, 2026.
The showcase will take place on July 2, 2026, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Participation includes a live performance, an educational module and speed meetings with international delegates held on July 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2026. Participation in all programme components (educational module, speed meetings, soundcheck and live performance) is mandatory.
Eligible participants are legal residents* of one of the eligible countries:
- All EU countries
- Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, Armenia, Tunisia, Ukraine and Moldova
Emerging artist: European* “emerging artist” is one who fulfills at least 5 of the below
conditions:
- max 3 albums released
- the release of the applicant artist/band’s first album is after 15 January 2021
- no more than 20.000 followers on either of their social media channels
- the average age of band members does not exceed 35 years
- had at least one concert in a professional setting
- the band did not go on an international tour of 10 gigs
- the band does not have a contract with a non-national record label
- the band has an up-to-date web presence (website, social media)
The 12 selected international artists/bands for the showcase will receive:
- a budget of 500€ (contract & invoice required)
- hotel accommodation for 2 nights (1-2 July 2026) in double / triple rooms, breakfast included
- full access to the festival area, training sessions, speed meetings, conference and delegates data base
- professional video recording of the showcase performance.
* regardless of their origin and country of birth worldwide
Preliminary
Programme
1 July 2026 (Wednesday)
15:00 – Arrival in Sofia (latest)
17:00 – 18:00 – Go-to-Market training session
18:00 – 19:00 – How to Showcase training session
19:00 – 20:00 – Digital Tools and Competencies for Emerging Artists
2 July 2026 (Thursday)
10:00 – 17:00 – Soundchecks
18:00 – 01:30 – Showcases
3 July 2026 (Friday)
10:00 – 13:00 – Speed Meetings with International Delegates
Before you apply
– Please prepare your technical rider and stage plot with the specific backline you’ll need to be provided for your performance
– Be ready to perform a 40 minutes showcase slot
– Be prepared for a very intensive program in Sofia, including your training sessions, speed meetings, sound-check and performance
– Please know that the purpose of your participation at the showcase is different from a regular festival gig. Showcase festivals are professional B2B forums and your main focus should be giving your best performance in order to get booked, to expand your international audience and your professional network and contacts.
– All programme components are mandatory! Plan your travel accordingly.
If you require an official invitation/confirmation letter from World Music Showcase to apply for travel or other support from your local funding organizations, please let us know at the email below.
For more information, please email us at showcase@atojazz.bg
A to JazZ Festival is part of UPBEAT – The European Showcase Platform for World Music. The showcase program is supported by Upbeat and the European Union.
