Contests, festivals and open calls: United States
Treefort Music Fest 2027 (free until ~mid-Sep, then $10–20; via Submittable)Boise, Boise, ID, USAApplications close: 2026-11-2070000 Tons of MetalCruise from Miami, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageA3C Festival & ConferenceAtlanta, Atlanta, USANo published deadline — check the organiser's pageAftershockSacramento, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageBlue Ridge Rock FestivalVirginia, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageChicago Made Music Showcase (Lollapalooza)Chicago, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageEDC Las Vegas (Insomniac)Las Vegas, Electronic — festivals & conferencesNo published deadline — check the organiser's pageFalcon Ridge Folk Festival — Emerging Artist ShowcaseGoshen, Indie/Folk — festivals & showcasesNo published deadline — check the organiser's pageFolk Alliance International (FAI)2027: Chicago; 2028: Kansas City, Indie/Folk — festivals & showcasesNo published deadline — check the organiser's pageFull Terror Assault Open AirCave-In-Rock, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageFurnace FestBirmingham, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageInkcarcerationMansfield, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageInsomniac Discovery ProjectUS (LA HQ), USA (EDM)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageLAMC — Latin Alternative Music ConferenceNew York, New York, USANo published deadline — check the organiser's pageLollapalooza ChicagoChicago (Grant Park), North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageLouder Than LifeLouisville, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageMaryland DeathfestBaltimore, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageMilwaukee Metal FestMilwaukee, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageMondo.NYCNew York, New York, USANo published deadline — check the organiser's pageNPR Tiny Desk ContestUS (online entry), USANo published deadline — check the organiser's pageNewport Jazz FestivalNewport, Jazz — festivals & trade fairsNo published deadline — check the organiser's pagePhiladelphia Folk FestivalSchwenksville, Indie/Folk — festivals & showcasesNo published deadline — check the organiser's pagePointfestSt. Louis, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageRolling Loud (Miami/California/Europe)Miami, US + editions (Europe: Magna Racino, AT — skipped 2025, returning 2026), Hip-hop/R&B — festivalsNo published deadline — check the organiser's pageRuido FestChicago, Latin — conferences & festivalsNo published deadline — check the organiser's pageSXSW Music FestivalAustin, Austin, TX, USANo published deadline — check the organiser's pageSavannah StopoverSavannah, North America — showcases (artist submission)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageSonic TempleColumbus, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageThe New Colossus FestivalNew York (Lower East Side), New York (LES), USANo published deadline — check the organiser's pageUltra Music Festival / ResistanceMiami, Electronic — festivals & conferencesNo published deadline — check the organiser's pageWacken Metal Battle USAVarious cities; 2026 national final San Diego, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's pageWelcome to RockvilleDaytona Beach, North America — festivals & contests (rock/metal)No published deadline — check the organiser's page