The Showcase Application Period is now closed. Thank you for your interest.

2026 FAR-West Conference Official Showcase Information for Applicants

Present a Showcase at FAR-West Connects 2026

See the list of past showcases

2026 Official Showcase Application

Application period is closed, but still accepting late payments.

Nonrefundable fee to submit an application to the 2026 Official Showcase at Far-West Connects 2026 in Portland Oregon

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$30.00
Applications Now Closed

The Application Period is now closed. The information below is provided for your reference.

How to Apply for an Official Showcase: Due Date May 10 at Midnight PDT.

  1. Purchase an official showcase application for $30 using the link on this page. This application fee covers a single act and is not refundable.
  2. If you have have been a named performer at an Official or Presenter's Choice Showcase at the FAR-West Conference in 2024 or 2025, you are not eligible to submit for 2026. Also, if you will be member of the FAR-West Board between April and October 2026, you are not eligible.
  3. After you have completed step one, use this form to apply for the showcase. Please do not submit the application before you pay, or it may be discarded without review. Note that you will need two performance videos, no more than three years old, ideally shot in front of an audience and with the same instrumentation you will use if selected. For hints, see “How to select or make a showcase-ready video” below.
  4. You must complete the payment and application process by May 10, midnight PDT to be considered for a 2026 official showcase.
  5. All submitted acts will be judged by a panel of industry experts chosen from outside the FAR-West board. Decisions of the panel are final. Typically about 10% of the acts applying are chosen.
  6. If you are selected, you and all members of your act must register for the conference. If your registration is not completed in a timely manner, your participation will be cancelled and will go to the next act on the list
  7. Lighting, sound, and backline equipment will be provided. There are no additional fees for the performers. 
  8. During your performance slot you will be the only event on the program, giving you an excellent opportunity to reach the FAR-West attendees
  9. We understand that it can entail a significant expense for an act to register and travel to the conference. While most acts find a way to pay the expense, if this appears to be insurmountable please reach out and we can try to help you explore funding options.
  10. More details will be appearing on this page in the coming months. In the meantime if you have a question feel free to reach out to showcase@far-west.org and we'll try to respond.

How to select or make a showcase-ready video

The judges (and FAR-West) want to put on a great show that represents a range of excellent talents. They are looking for performers they would want to present at a venue or festival. The most compelling videos are:

  • recorded live
  • demonstrate a connection with the audience
  • show the quality of your material
  • contain a high level of craft - excellent playing and singing
  • get right to the point (the judges may get impatient with a long introduction, especially if it's not highly compelling)
  • contain good quality audio, so they can hear your performance
  • have good enough video
  • and feel natural and authentic

Note that 4k video and professional editing are not on the list. A nice, clean, audible phone recording with decent lighting, that captures who you are and what you do, is much more likely to net you a showcase than a professional “music video”. 

In summary, connection is more important than perfection. This is “folk” music. Help the judges know who you are and what you do and that will give you the best chance of appearing on the FAR-West stage.

One last note - every year, there are excellent performers who are not chosen. Attending FAR-West Connects 2026 is a great way to immerse yourself among excellent musicians, as well as giving you multiple opportunies to perform including Private Showcases, our Millsaps Open Mic, hallway busking stations, and informal jams all day and into the night - as well as panels and workshops that can help you up your game. Register now for the best rate! We'd love to see you in Portland.