how we choose our sound
Ever wonder how we put together such a killer lineup every year? It’s not magic (though it sometimes feels that way). Behind every beat, banjo, and bass drop is a passionate committee that curates the heart and soul of the NC Folk Festival.
Our Artist Selection Committee is made up of folks from across North Carolina, including music industry professionals, past and potential festival artists, community members, and cultural contributors who bring a wide range of musical tastes, traditions, and lived experiences to the table. We believe in the power of perspective, so we build a committee that reflects the incredible diversity of folk music itself, from blues and bluegrass to gospel, global beats, hip hop, jazz, and everything in between.
On average, our committee includes 15 people who met weekly for six weeks to suggest artists, dig into tour schedules, research availability, and balance the budget (no small task). The process is collaborative, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in our mission to celebrate musical traditions from around the corner and around the world.
It’s community-curated, crowd-approved, and uniquely NC Folk.
share your sound
Whether you’re a musician who wants to take the stage or a music lover who wants a seat at the table, we want to hear from you.
We’re always on the lookout for incredible artists to feature at the NC Folk Festival and for passionate folks to help us find them. If you’ve got a unique sound, represent a musical tradition, or just know how to bring the house down, let us know. And if you’re someone who geeks out over live music, digs into tour schedules for fun, and wants to help shape the festival’s future, you might be a perfect fit for our Artist Selection Committee.
Here’s some inside scoop: Our programming decisions happen in mid to late fall. By early spring, we’re deep in the weeds with contracts, travel plans, and stage logistics. So if it’s summer and you’re just now reaching out... we still want to hear from you! Just know we may already be locked in for this year, and we’re happy to keep you on our radar for the next.
To inquire about performing or getting involved with the lineup selection process, email us at booking@ncfolkfestival.com. Include links to your music (if wanting to perform), a short bio, or a quick note about your musical taste and why you want to be part of the festival as a performer or on the committee.
Why play With Us?
high
VISIBILITY
Take the stage in front of 150,000+ music lovers. With multiple stages and nonstop crowds, your performance will make a lasting impression.
GLOBAL
CONNECTIONS
Share the lineup with an eclectic, international mix of artists and genres. It’s a space where musical traditions, innovation, and new audiences collide.
AMPLIFIED
Exposure
Get featured in our social media campaigns, livestreams, videos, and digital promos that reach thousands before, during, and after the fest.
Community
Impact
Be part of a mission-driven event that keeps access to the arts free for everyone. Your music supports a movement rooted in equity, culture, and connection.
Artist
Hospitality
We cover travel, hotel, and food, so you can focus on what you do best. Relax in our Artist Lounge with surprise perks like massages, legal resources, and wellness check-ins.
festival
PLAYLIST
Your music will be included in our official Spotify Festival Playlist, promoted weekly leading up to the event. Fans start listening early — and show up ready to sing along. Here is the 2025 Festival Playlist for reference.
"Honestly one of the best experiences for any artist who is starting off in their career or even developed. Would LOVE TO COME BACK.”
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
The city of Greensboro recently ran a music census to find out what live music needs to thrive here. The census captured key information about the local music economy to help the city and community make more informed, data-driven decisions to support the music ecosystem. You can explore the results here.
When you book the NC Folk Festival, you can count on a community that will show out to support you. You will gain new fans, and find a place that you'll want to return to again.