Calling all musicians, DJs, and performers! If you’ve been dreaming of getting your sound out there at one of the best local festivals around, this is your moment. Music Barn Festival 2025 has officially opened performer applications, and we caught up with festival co-founder Mark Robinson to get the lowdown on what it takes to get on the lineup.
Here’s everything you need to know—from what performers can expect to top tips on making your application stand out!
What can performers expect?
According to Mark, one of the coolest things about playing at Music Barn is the choice of stages. You’ve got four options: the Main Stage for live bands and musicians, the Forge Space for those intimate acoustic or solo sets, The Slade for house and disco DJs, and the Selecta Stage for breaks, hip hop, and DnB acts.
“Each stage is professionally managed,” says Mark, “with its own sound engineer and stage manager. Plus, performers get backstage access to the green room, where they can rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in the industry.” So, not only do you get to perform alongside national and international stars, but you also get to network and chill with some of the festival greats. Now that’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
What kind of talent is Music Barn looking for this year?
When it comes to curating the lineup, Mark and his team are all about diversity. “We’ve got everything from live bands rocking the Main Stage to solo singers captivating audiences with folk ballads,” he explains. “We’re always on the lookout for original bands, cover bands, DJs who write their own tracks, and those who curate killer sets.”
But it’s not just about turning up and playing the usual stuff. Mark has some advice for DJs: “Don’t just throw together a mix of Beatport’s Top Ten tech house tracks. Dig deeper! Present us with some amazing new music that’ll excite our eardrums.” And if you’re in a band, think about how your sound fits with a festival audience. “Most new artists will be playing mid-afternoon, so keep in mind how your style works with that vibe. Thrash metal at 3 PM on a sunny afternoon, anyone?”
How to make your application stand out
We asked Mark what really makes a performer stand out in the sea of applications they get every year, and his number one tip? Do your homework.
Mark advises sending a thoughtful application packed with all the details. “Include links to your music on SoundCloud or Bandcamp, and give us a little history of your musical journey.” When it comes to video submissions, Mark has a word of warning: “Make sure your videos show you in the best light. A shaky mobile video from the back of a pub with terrible sound quality isn’t going to help your case.”
And if you aren’t successful this year? Please don’t be disheartened – Mark advises “Come along to the festival, introduce yourself to the organisers, and have a chat about your music,” he suggests. “We’re really friendly and love talking tunes, and it’s always great to put faces to names.”
Supporting Local Talent
At Fleckies, we totally get the struggle of finding places to showcase talent, which is exactly why we started this platform. We know how tough it can be for local artists, DJs, and musicians to break into the scene, especially when many venues have closed over the years. Just like Music Barn, we’re committed to amplifying those unsung heroes in our community.
Mark talks passionately about how the East Northants music scene has taken some big hits over the past decade. “We’ve lost nearly all the nightclubs and music venues in the area,” he explains. “There was a time in the ‘90s and ‘00s when we had several pubs with stages and a few established nightclubs. Now, there’s barely anywhere for young artists, DJs, and musicians to perform.”
That’s where Music Barn steps in. “We see ourselves as a vital avenue for local and up-and-coming musicians to perform in front of an audience, on professionally managed stages,” says Mark. “It’s really important for us to give emerging talent the platform they deserve, especially when opportunities are becoming fewer and fewer.”
At Fleckies, we share that mission. We’re all about connecting our audience with local gems and giving them the recognition they deserve. So if you’re an artist looking for that crucial break, Music Barn is the place to be!
How to apply
If you want to join the Music Barn Festival 2025 lineup, you’ll need to get your application in by 1st December 2024. Just drop an email to bookings@musicbarn.co.uk with all the deets about you and your music. Links to tracks, a bit of background, and any decent videos are a must.
So, what are you waiting for? This could be your chance to perform alongside some seriously talented artists and take your career to the next level.
