Thank you so much for your interest in performing at the Palm Creek Folk Festival.
Applications for 2012 have now closed.
Applications for 2013 will open early that year.
About Palm Creek Folk Festival
Presented by the Townsville Folk & Acoustic Music Club Inc., Palm Creek is a community based, not for profit, family friendly, (and above all else, fun) folk festival. We usually attract about 2,500 people over the weekend. Our camp/festival site is about half an hour’s drive south of Townsville – nestled at the foot of the mountains, and surrounded by the bush (you may see wallabies outside your tent in the mornings). We turn 21 this year, and would love for you to be a part of our festival.
We are financially independent (i.e. no grants), relying entirely on ticket sales and sponsorship, and the whole event is powered by amazing volunteers. We have a modest budget which limits how many out of town acts we can accommodate each year. If we love your work and we can’t get you in this year, we may contact you to play next year. While we have a modest budget, we are sure that we more than make up for this with the vibe and community spirit you will be able to soak up over the weekend. We have found that many performers are willing to give us a steep discount (or even play just for free entry) to come back and enjoy it all over again.
What We Want From You
We are looking for artists who will be part of the event – who will be staying on site, and enjoying all that Palm Creek has to offer (sessions, workshops, children’s events, great food, meeting friends new and old, incomparable vibe, and of course all the live music on offer). The Palm Creek Folk Festival is a very sociable event, and we value participation from our artists highly. Most artists camp on site.
The festival will program 1-4 concert performances per act, and may program performers to offer workshops or volunteer as an MC in addition to this (if they offer to do so).
If you can enrich our festival by volunteering to help on the ground (for example – acting as an MC, offering workshops, etc.), or by making a donation to the Festival (by way of discounting your fees), this will strengthen your application.
We are looking for acts who offer a hint of sparkle, and some special magic. We are especially thankful for acts who can also contribute to our Kid’s Festival. Street theatre and non-stage acts are welcome to apply.
What We Can Offer
Your fees are all inclusive, so you’ll need to include travel expenses in your requested fee if you live somewhere else. A set up camp (tent with stretcher and comfy bedding) will be provided for artists who fly into Townsville.
All performers are expected to be available for the whole of the festival in general (we understand that some people have constraints, please let us know if this is the case).
The following will give you some advice as to what we can generally at offering ouracts, and an idea of what we can realistically afford. The range of fees offered depends on the standard and experience of the act. For the upper range, you will be expected to be experienced musicians who are actively gigging, and have recorded material for sale. Original music is emphasised at Palm Creek. Your CDs can be offered for sale in the festival shop and we do not take a commission.
Each performer accepted receives a free season camping ticket to the festival as part of their remuneration. Partners and family generally need to purchase tickets, unless you wish to barter and/or reduce your performance fee in return for their discounted or free Festival ticket.
Insurance
We prefer that all acts hold their own public indemnity insurance. If you do not hold public indemnity insurance, and you wish to perform, we can offer you the chance to perform as a volunteer in return for a season camping ticket for each performer.
You must provide a current copy of your insurance if selected for the festival.
You can arrange public Liability insurance here: http://www.folkalliance.org.au/page/membership/
Suggested Festival Fees for Local Acts (Insured)
Solo: $0-150
Duo: $0-300
Band: $0-750 (or more, depending on number of members)
Dance groups/Choirs: Season Tickets and festival participation (including a willingness to volunteer)
Suggested Festival Fees for Headline/Out of Town Acts (Insured)
Solo: $300 and travel expenses (include these)
Duo: $600 and travel expenses (include these)
Band: $1000-$2000 (or more, depending on number of members) plus travel expenses (include these)
Uninsured Acts
A modest travel allowance can be negotiated for each act that chooses to perform on a volunteer basis.
Rejected Applications
We receive many more applications than we can fit in, every year. If you miss out, it will not be a reflection on the quality or beauty of your offering, but due to lack of room on the program. We invite you to come along anyway, and join in with the blackboard concerts, sessions, etc.
And please apply again next time, as we vary our program from year to year.