Apply To Play - Wide Days 2024
In 2023 the Wide Days showcase programme expanded, creating more opportunities than ever before for artists, bands, DJs and composers based in Scotland to perform to international music industry delegates and new music fans!
Applications are now open to emerging acts of any genre based in Scotland - and there are two opportunities available:
Talent Development Programme: year-round package of support + showcase slot on the opening night of Wide Days.
Showcase festival: performance slot on Thursday or Friday night of Wide Days.
Key info
Full details and criteria on both opportunities can be found below - but before you get started, here’s some useful information…
You must be currently based in Scotland, and making original music.
You are welcome to apply for both opportunities, but must fill in both applications to be considered.
Due to the high volume of applications received, unfortunately it is not possible to provide feedback.
If you require additional support, or would like to apply by video, please see the accessibility section below for full info.
2024 Talent Development Programme
CLOSED FOR 2024
Four acts will be picked by a panel of international industry and media to take part in a year-round package of mentoring, support and workshops to accelerate their careers, plus a showcase slot at Wide Days on Wed 1 May 2024.
ℹ️ All applications will be reviewed by our selector panels after the final deadline, and all applicants will be notified by 8 Jan 2024.
Who is it for?
Artists or music creators developing a profile in Scotland and looking for support to take you to the next level and to become export-ready.
You should be attracting audiences and local media support, getting some interest to take your first-steps outside Scotland, and looking to start building a team.
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The Wide Days talent development programme exists to help accelerate the international careers of four emerging artists from Scotland. Selected participants will receive:
2x in-person artist mentoring days + 1 online mentoring session.
Pre-Wide Days showcase production session.
High-quality, multi-camera filmed showcase asset from WD24.
Professional live photographs.
Bespoke 1-2-1 meeting programme with international delegates at Wide Days 2024.
Free Wide Days 24+25 delegate passes (for all performers + 1 team member).
Automatic inclusion in Wide Days 2024 Thu/Fri showcase shortlist.
Artist networking brunch at Wide Days 2024.
Two online workshops ahead of Wide Days: Becoming Sync Ready and All You Need to Know about AI, Blockchain and Web3.
High-quality backline + professional sound and light engineers at your showcase.
Artist catering (healthy food + drinks) at your Wide Days showcase.
£300 to cover expenses to participate in the programme (paid in three instalments).
Catering at all in-person mentoring days.
Additional access costs + support for those who require it.
Two follow-up development meetings (online).
Mentoring with an industry figure based on your priorities.
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Each place on the programme is valued at over £5,000, and requires the selected acts to fully commit to the programme. Our experience has shown that the artists who engage the most are the ones who will benefit the most.
Criteria:
All performers must be currently based in Scotland.
All featured band members must participate in 100% of the programme.
You consider yourself ready to showcase and/or participate in international opportunities.
You are serious about building a career in music and are in a position to take up opportunities such as touring, festival dates, writing camps etc.
You will fill a free guestlist allocation of 60 people (duos/bands), 40 people (solo acts).
You are members of PRS (songwriters) and PPL (performers) or equivalent Performance Rights Organisation (PRO), or are willing to join if accepted. We are happy to help get you registered.
You will promote your Wide Days showcase and will engage with the organisers to get the most from the opportunity.
You will make yourself available for media interviews and appearances.
You should not play any Edinburgh/Glasgow shows for three weeks either side of Wide Days without prior agreement. If you have another offer you’d like to discuss prior to the outcome of your Wide Days application, please drop us an email at hello@widedays.com.
All featured performers will attend artist mentoring sessions (all day) on the following dates:
Wed 7 Feb 24 (in-person, Edinburgh)
Tue 5 Mar 24 (online)
Tue 2 Apr 24 (in-person, Edinburgh)
Fri 14 Jun 24 (in-person, Edinburgh)
Principal songwriter(s) will participate in two 4-hour online evening events ahead of Wide Days (all band members are also encouraged to attend):
Wed 10 Apr 24: Preparing for Sync (workshop)
Wed 17 Apr 24: All you need to know about AI, Web3 and Blockchain (workshop)
All featured performers will attend an online debrief meeting w/b 20 May 2024.
All featured performers will be available to attend the entirety of Wide Days 1-2-3 May 2024.
New From Scotland Showcases
CLOSED FOR 2024
A selection of emerging artists will be programmed to perform as part of a multi-venue showcase on the Thursday and Friday of Wide Days. Artists will also have access to the full conference programme, a pre-event briefing and artist networking brunch.
ℹ️ Applications will be assessed on a regular basis from November onwards. We advise you submit when you are ready, as opposed to waiting until the final deadline.
Who is it for?
Artists or music creators based in Scotland who have built a profile here, and are now beginning to develop a fanbase across other parts of the UK and/or beyond. You should already be generating some of the following: team members, festival bookings, national press, radio play, streaming playlists and showcase festival bookings.
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£250 performance fee.
30 free tickets for your fans/friends (worth £450).
High-quality backline + professional sound and light engineers at your showcase.
Free convention passes for all band members and 1 team member.
Artist catering (healthy food + drinks).
Invitation to artist brunch for all performers at WD24.
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You must be currently based in Scotland.
You consider yourself ready to showcase and/or participate in international opportunities.
You are serious about building a career in music and are in a position to take up opportunities such as touring, festival dates, writing camps etc.
You are members of PRS (songwriters) and PPL (performers) or equivalent Performance Rights Organisation (PRO), or are willing to join if accepted. We are happy to help get you registered.
You will promote your Wide Days showcase and will engage with the organisers to get the most from the opportunity.
You will make yourself available for media interviews and appearances.
You agree to fill your free guestlist allocation (30 tickets per act).
You should not play any Edinburgh/Glasgow shows for three weeks either side of Wide Days without prior agreement. If you have another offer you’d like to discuss prior to the outcome of your Wide Days application, please drop us an email at hello@widedays.com
At least 1 band member (+ team member if applicable) will attend the Wide Days conference 1-2-3 May 2024.
At least 1 band member (+ team member if applicable) will participate in a pre-event online briefing.
At least 1 band member (+ team member if applicable) will attend the artist brunch on Friday 3 May 2024.
Accessibility
Applications to showcase will also be accepted in video or audio recording format.
Guidance can be found below, along with a document containing all the application questions.
You must ensure all questions from the applications are covered.
You must upload your video or audio file via the form linked in the ‘application questions’ document, and you must also complete the additional fields in the form.
Plain Text Guidance & Video/Audio Application Forms
Talent Development Programme:
application guidance | application questions
New From Scotland Showcase:
application guidance | application questions
If you require any additional assistance with your application, please contact hello@widedays.com.