2025 Folk by the Sea expression of interest to perform will close 30 January 2025.
Please read through the following information prior to applying.
We’ve provided quite a bit of information below to give you an idea of the festival, its aims, some remuneration suggestions and other considerations.
We are seeking a mix of genres generally leaning towards original, acoustic, folk, world and traditional music. You can select your genre in a question in the form.
You can get a sense of the festival from the 2024 event - click here to view the program.
We are hoping to advise status of applications in March. We are anticipating a large volume of applications so please be patient with our responses.
David De Santi
Artistic Director
ad@illawarrafolkfestival.com.au
About the Festival
2025 will be the 12th Folk by the Sea festival.
Folk by the Sea is an intimate folk festival style event featuring the sounds of folk, world, roots, Celtic and oldtime/bluegrass music in the picturesque seaside town of Kiama, NSW, famous for its blowhole.
The event will be with ticket only entry and will feature around folk music artists from around Australia in 8 venues at the Kiama Showground Pavilion and surrounds.
The festival is a non-profit event is presented by volunteers from the Illawarra Folk Club Inc. who present regular folk music concerts in the Illawarra region and the world famous Illawarra Folk Festival.
Kiama is about a 2 hour drive from Sydney on the South Coast of New South Wales.
Performer Responsibilities
- Performers accept responsibility for their own Public Liability Insurance. When performing, you are a Festival service provider and as such, are not covered by the Festival’s public liability insurance. The festival suggests investigating insurance options with Folk Alliance Australia, see www.folkalliance.org.au and follow the links to ‘insurance’. You will need to be or become a member of Folk Alliance Australia.
- Performers also accept all responsibility for their tax obligations, superannuation and WorkCover requirements.
- In general, performers are to provide their own equipment such as guitar amps and drum kits.
- Performers are responsible for their meals and drinks. Water will be provided at stages.
Free Partner and Children's Pass
If selected to perform at the festival, free passes will be provided for partners and children (U18). Names will need to be provided by 1 August 2025 at the latest for issuing of passes.
Fee Suggestion
The festival books a range of professional, semi-professional and non-professional performers.
The following will give performers some suggestions as to what to consider requesting for remuneration if they are unsure as to what to ask for.
Performers are welcome to ask for their desired fee. Performers can provide some reasoning for the request in the form.
For this fee the festival expects performers to be available for the whole of the festival.
The festival provides free camping sites at nearby caravan/camp parks and, in some instances, may provide home stay billet accommodation based upon circumstances for out of region travelling performers.
All performers fees quoted are to be totally inclusive of all costs such as GST, travel, visas, meals.
Base Local Fees – Whole Festival
• Single performers – $150
• Duo – $250
• Band – $250 to $600 dependant on the number of members
• Dance groups, choirs – up to $150 or Season Tickets. A Day Pass is provided if performances are on one day only.
Base Local Fees – Single Day (one gig)
• Single performers – $80
• Duo – $120
• Band – $200 to $300 dependent on number
Other Australian Act Fees
Performers who are not local based might like to consider the base fees above and then add the travelling/additional costs to arrive at a figure.
International Act Fees
Fees are negotiable, but in general the offered fee can range anywhere between $500 and $1500 and more dependant on the number of performers in the act, suitability and appeal to the festival. Airfares are not provided by the festival. performers are responsible for arranging their own visas, transport to and from the festival.
Youth Performers (U18)
A Day Pass will be provided to Youth performers who perform at the festival. A Day Pass will be also provided for one parent. Prices for additional parent and siblings will be provided later.
International Acts
There are only a limited number of international acts that the festival can accept who generally are visiting Australia. The festival does not provide airfares but minimal expenses.
International acts are also to arrange their own visas and insurance. The festival can arrange home stay billet accommodation for the duration of the festival.
Selection Criteria
The following criteria is considered in performer selection:
- Act Availability – All acts selected are programmed across the festival days and are expected to be available for the entire Festival.
- Music Style - Folk style acts are preferred, with minor inclusion of other musical elements. We generally don't book acts who solely perform Blues, Jazz, Acoustic Pop or Country as we find there are more than enough 'folk style' acts around to fill our spots.
- Participation Level – Involvement in sessions, singalongs, workshops, theme concerts, dances, parades and children’s events where possible is a plus.
- Price – Low to modest fees are provided dependent on the number of acts, performances proposed and where they are coming from. Very limited accommodation is available however there is plenty of camping space on the festival site. Performers can indicate in the notes section if the fee proposed is negotiable as well. Performers are still welcome to provide their desired fee.
- International Acts – The festival provides modest fees only and do not provide airfares or arrange visas. Large groups should seek their own funding from their countries or other sources.
- Street acts – are welcome to apply to perform, but please be aware that the focus of the festival and the limited funds are provided towards the musical aspect of the festival.
- Volunteering – The festival welcome performers who also offer to contribute with some volunteering hours with such roles as MCs, Venue Manager, Instrument Lockup staff.
Sound Samples
Provide links to good quality video and audio recordings. Do not send attachments.
Sound Systems and Band Volumes
Please note that this is a music festival with audience members of all ages. Many venues are close to each other, therefore the sound systems provided are not large and powerful, but more for clarity and reinforcement.
Please be aware that the Program Director may intervene if stage volumes are high and are interering with other venues.
Please consider before applying if you are a loud band.