The festival books all headline acts directly during the last quarter of the year.
European bands not invited to headline the festival, are invited to apply to perform in the Open Mic slots at the festival in January of each year.
Open mic slots available:
- Main stage shows
- Town Hall Stage shows (duets and trios)
- Lunchtime Stage (Emerging Talent Contest)
While musical quality is our primary criteria for selecting bands, we also aim to have a programme that presents a good diversity of Bluegrass styles (traditional and modern), that appeals to our festival audience, and that represents as many countries as possible with some bands that have not played at La Roche Bluegrass Festival before.

terms and conditions for playing

Main Stage: All forms of Bluegrass configuration and styles may apply.
Town Hall Stage: This stage is reserved for duets and trios 
Lunchtime Stage: This stage is reserved for young and emerging artists with one band invited back to the main stage as a headliner the next year.
  • Young and emerging artists are defined as (1) a minimum of 4 musicians playing a style that fits a braod and accepted definition of the Bluegrass genre and (2) with at least 2 artists under 25, or 1 artist under 25 in a band formed in the last two years
Playing time is 45 minutes on all stages (with 15 minutes for line check in both cases).
Bands receive a travel allowance based on distance travelled, free accommodation in the school dormitory (2 - 5 to a room) and meal vouchers for as long as they wish to stay over the festival.

    apply to play

Here are the documents with more detailed information about playing in 2022.
Please complete and return before February 20th.