FAI is one of the few music industry conferences that offers everyone in attendance the opportunity to present independent showcases and allows all artists to play self-presented sets for all attending industry representatives.
Private Showcases are not open to the public. You must register for the conference to perform or attend a Private Showcase.
Private Showcases will take place on the 8th – 12th floors of the Sheraton New Orleans primarily in guest rooms and suites. Each individual room is contracted out to a Private Showcase Presenter who in turn books and schedules performances of registered conference attendees. Anyone can apply to become a Private Showcase Presenter (examples: labels, organizations, agents, artists, etc). Applications are now open.
Presenters are required to book a room for a minimum of three nights in a regular guest room. Suite holders are required to book a room for four nights. If a suite holder wants to present for three nights, FAI will consider exceptions on a case by case basis based on a commitment to exhibiting, advertising, or sponsorship. Please contact our Private Showcase Coordinator at privateshowcase@folk.org if you have any questions about the process as a host.
Presenters must pay a US$135 (per room) Private Showcase hosting fee. All application fees are non-refundable. This fee is separate from the cost of the room, chair rental, bed removal, hospitality, and conference registration.
*Suites are only available to presenters who have hosted a room in the past and are first offered to those who hosted the previous year. A waitlist is managed by the Private Showcase Coordinator.
Private Showcases are late night events and take place Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30pm – 3am on 8th – 12th floors of the Sheraton New Orleans primarily in guest rooms and suites. Each conference attendee can grab a Pocket Guide that lists all Private Showcase performances or view the schedule on our conference app.
Private Showcases are acoustic (no amplification or sound systems in standard rooms, with limited sound in the suites and premium rooms) and run from 15-30 minutes depending on the presenter. Some presenters charge a nominal fee to help underwrite the costs of the room and hospitality. Average fees run between $20-$30 per slot. Many do not charge and some trade slots for performance slots in other rooms. Please contact our office at fai@folk.org if you have any questions about the process.
FAI hosts four different Private Showcase rooms: a First-Timers Room, an Indigenous Room, an International Room, and a Traditional Music Room. These rooms are on the Private Showcase floors and are available to any artist who is registered for the Folk Alliance International Conference. Placement is first-come, first-serve. Applications will open in early fall.