What is a Private Showcase?

The Private Showcase  floor is always buzzing with music and activity.  Private Showcase  rooms are privately run and  funded showcases held on one floor of the conference hotel. Hosts submit an application to FAR-West and pay to host these rooms.  These showcases are held late night after the main stage concerts.  The selection of artists presented in each room is at the sole discretion of the room’s host.  At FAR-West 2025, Private showcases will begin at 10:30 pm and end at 2:00 am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. 

Who hosts Private Showcases at the conference?

Many rooms are sponsored by house concert hosts, venues, or artist collectives. Often, artists team up to share the expense of presenting a room and create showcase opportunities for themselves and other artists. Some hosts may ask for a small fee from the performers ($20 or less) for these showcase slots to offset room expenses..  In addition, FAR-West sponsors a  “New Voices”  Room for artists attending their first FAR-West conference. If  you have any questions about hosting a Private Showcase room or would like help in planning your room, email conference@far-west.org   Application link  Applications will be accepted until we have a full house.

Why host a private showcase?  Here are some comments from previous hosts.

 “The reason for showcasing is fellowship, sharing music, exposing new artists to new fans.  It’s a wonderful thing when it works. People can roam the hallways and hear so many new and even famous performers.”

“to present artists to other potential hosts or collaborators - because that's what a Private Showcase room at a music conference is all about.  Doing a short version of your show to whomever shows up in that room, whether they be a potential venue for a future show, a radio/dj host, or another artist.  During past conferences, artists who have met for the first time have formed collaborations, written songs together at a 2 AM jam, made friends to showcase with while on the road, and more. ” 

“To hear artists live whom I might wish to late​r book at a festival​, to promote my retreats/events, and to act as a supporter of diversity in programming within the community, with a focus on booking younger artists of varying ethnicities along with more established performers.”

• How can I get to play in private showcases at the conference?

Showcase room hosts are listed on the FAR-West website, and announced via the WHOVA app as they are approved and paid for. You may contact these hosts individually to request information about how they choose artists to perform in their rooms, and if they charge a showcase fee. Remember, these are private showcases and artists performing in these rooms are at the invitation of the hosts.  For New Voices  you can indicate your interest and sign up. We recommend artists play no more than 3 private showcases over the course of the conference.  New Voices, the main stage showcases, and Millsaps do not count against that number. Watch the newsletter for when you can sign up…