2026 Bitter Jester Music Fest

The 2026 Bitter Jester Music Fest Application Begins Here...
Early Deadline: Sat, March 1, 2025 (11:59 pm CST)

Deadline: Tues, April 15, 2025 (11:59 pm CST)

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This year's preliminary competitions are June 6, 7, 13, and 14. The Grand Finale will be on Sat, June 28, 2025.

THE ONLY REQUIREMENT is that at least half the members of a submitting band must be 21 or younger (nobody over 24). Solo Artists are welcome to apply! Contact us with Q's.
$2,000 GRAND PRIZE!!

$1,000 Runners-Up • $500 Honorable Mention

🧳 Plus the "Tour Ready Package" will be awarded to the Grand Champions including a full line of Shure Nexadyne wired stage & studio mics for vocals, guitars, and drums (MSRP $1500) and a set of Enduro Pro lined hard drum cases from Humes & Berg (MSRP $1000)!

🎤 The BJMF 2026 Vocalist of the Year will win a brand new Shure GLXD24+ / SM58 Wireless Handheld Mic System with an SM58 and rechargeable battery (MSRP $659).

🥁 The BJMF 2026 Drummer of the Year will win a brand new Ludwig Universal snare along with an Enduro Pro lined hard case in Bitter Jester colors from Humes & Berg (MSRP $600) and a brand new DW9000 kick pedal courtesy of the Kessler Family (MSRP $400).

🎤 And EVERY SINGLE FINALIST BAND at the 2026 Grand Finale will win a brand new SM58 engraved with their logo (one per band/solo artist in competition), courtesy of Shure (MSRP $110).

...plus a chance to open for a National Headliner at Ravinia Festival in 2027!

Prize money fgenerously donated each year by First Bank of Highland Park. Select artists may also receive additional prizes like STUDIO RECORDING TIME from Gremlen Studios, Butcher Boy, and Steve Albini's Electrical Audio (or others), GEAR from sponsors like Sweetwater, and much more!

Click here for more info about prizes & eligibility.
ENTER YOUR INFORMATION:
Band/Solo Artist Name:*
Primary Email:*
Band/Solo Artist Instagram Name:*
(type "n/a" if you don't have one)
Your Name:*
State/Province Represented:*
I am a ...*
Please specify:*
How did you hear about us? Please check all that apply.*

I'm a Previous EntrantAnother Band Told MeInstagramFacebookGoogle SearchVal's halla RecordsMusic WillGuitars Over GunsSchool/TeacherFamily MemberTV/RadioNewspaper/PublicationOther
Which Band(s)?*
Which School/Teacher?*
Which Stations/Shows?*
Which Paper/Publication(s)?*
(other) I heard about the Bitter Jester Music Fest from:*
What other bands/performers might like to apply?*
Please include social media tags/websites if you know them!
Are at least half your performers 21 or younger?*

Yes, at least half of us are 21 or younger right nowNo, most of us are over 21
Let us know that you're a carbon-based life form:*
Next you'll upload media, answer Q's, and pay your application fee.

If you don't see an orange "Continue..." button below, double check that you've answered all the Q's above.

When you hit "Continue" you'll be sent an intial confirmation email. It will have a link allowing you to continue your saved application at any time in the future. It is NOT an indication that your application is complete. Once you submit your complete application, you will receive a a second confirmation email.

Note: It's best to apply on a computer and NOT on your phone. You'll need to upload files and we recommend copying/saving your answers in a separate document as you go (in case you have a technical issue or need to pause and finish later).
While you apply, why not listen to Live at Bitter Jester, vol. 01! We'll be recording vol. 05 this summer... and YOU could be on it!
(some of) The 2025 Bitter Jester Music Fest Team!
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The 2026 Bitter Jester Music Fest Application Begins Here...