Thank you for applying - Please Read
Every year we receive thousands of applications and showcase over 100 acts and 500 artists and musicians; we proud ourselves on being the largest festival/concert for Independent R&B + Soul artists in America. Our goal is to give talented artist an opportunity to showcase themselves to Atlanta and music labels from around the country. We’re looking for talented acts, but we also want artists that are excited about their craft and will work to galvanize the audience and grow their fanbase.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will You Let Me Know if I’m In?
Like we said, we get a lot of applications each year. We start approving applications on 1 March and every week we approve at least one additional artist. So applying early gives you the best opportunity to get into the festival and our goal is to finalize all artist by 30 July each year. This means, if you apply early and you do not receive a response, we are considering your application every week. Also, it is possible every week that the pool of talented applications could move you out of contention and when that occurs you will receive a notification that you are no longer in consideration. Again, the importance of showing excitement about the event on social media cannot be understated, we like artists that are excited about their opportunity to perform and we often choose artists who show high engagement.
2. Performance Stage Opportunities
If you are selected, you will either perform on our Soul in the City Stage (Main Stage - Ticketed Concert stage) or our Phoenix Lounge Stage (Open to the Public Stage - No Tickets). The Soul in the City Stage is our feature stage, it is rare that a new artist to the festival will perform on this stage unless you are a national artist or have social media followings into the 100K+ following. Most artist perform on our Phoenix Stage and build their fan base up and grow towards the Soul in the City Stage. Artists performing on the Soul in the City Stage will be required to sell a min of 25 tickets. Artists performing on the Phoenix stage should bring their fanbase and put on a well practiced show, to position yourself to build your fanbase and grow towards the Soul in the City stage.
3. SEND US GOOD ARTIST PHOTOS
Focus Frame: Your shot should be chest and up (if you get to the stomach your frame is too large). This frame allows you to incorporate more style and personality; artist are more than a headshot.
Background is Everything: Solid and gradient backgrounds are ok, use some creative license here, because this is helps you stand out. Try bright and interesting colors.
Do NOT Cover Your Face: Some artist don’t know what to do with their hands, and they decide to put them in their face. This is a major don’t covering your face always makes for an odd image. With that said you can place your hands in the vanity of your face, just don’t touch it (Do'n’t Vogue - it’s out).
No Words: Don’t write your name on the photo or anything else, this ruins the image for the marketers. They need flexibility.
Makeup or Nah?: Makeup is fine, just don’t over do it; fix your blemishes in photo shop.
Filters are Fine: A good filter goes a long way, choose carefully and send multiple options.
The Best You: It’s the 21st century, use technology to get the best version of you. Don’t be afraid to let your photographer touch you up.
Get Fresh: Solid color or simple pattern outfits are best when taking professional photos. If your patter has too many colors it distracts from you.
Angles: Angles are good. Don’t take a shot straight on, that’s good for actor headshots, but it’s terrible for artists. Show some style in how you position yourself. The angle is what shows your personality.
Bling: Be you and wear the jewelry, shades, or hat that represents your style. If you are more wholesome, show off your style though more natural add ons.
Don’t be too Cool for School: Dudes are usually guilty in this category. Remember artist like you because you make them feel good or emotional, if you look mean it’s a turn off.
4. THE THINGS NOT TO DO
You’re the feature: Don’t take a photo with a busy background, it distracts from you
No brick walls: Don’t take a photo against a brick wall
It’s ok to Smile, dudes are usually guilty of the mean mug photo. Remember, fans like you because you make them feel good; a mean mug is always a turn off.
Get Your ARTIST PhotOs Right
Photos from Taste of Soul Alumni that we like
