2026 Festival Bandstand & Spotlight Competition at Ely Folk Festival
Ely Folk Festival are celebrating a big festival birthday this year; would you like a chance to perform on the main festival stage at the 40th Ely Folk Festival and see your name on the festival listing alongside top folk and roots acts?
If the answer is yes, then enter Ely Folk Festival’s festival talent competition. This is a great opportunity for unsigned amateur folk & roots acts to gain recognition and exposure on the UK festival circuit.
The festival talent competition is divided into two categories:
- Spotlight – for solo & duo acts
- Bandstand – for bands
A winning entry will be selected from each category. Winners will be given the opportunity to open a concert on the main Peregrine Stage on Friday 10 July or Saturday 11 July 2026. Winning entries will also receive complementary festival weekend tickets including camping.
The competition is open to UK-based amateur or semi-pro musicians only (no full-time musicians, even if they play in another band).
If you would like to be in with a chance to win your spot on the main stage of a top UK folk & roots festival, submit your entry to competition@elyfolkfestival.co.uk along with:
- Confirmation that you are entering the Spotlight OR Bandstand category
- One track (mp3, youtube link, etc)
- A brief bio (50 words max)
- Link(s) to Facebook, website etc.
- A contact email address & phone number
- Confirmation that you are an amateur or semi-professional act
Entries must be received by midnight on Saturday 28 February to be considered. The winning entries will be informed by end of March 2026.
