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 take place on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors of the hotel, 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 will open on July 8, 2019.
Presenters must pay a US$135 (per room) Private Showcase hosting fee. This fee is separate from the cost of the room, chair rental, bed removal, hospitality, and conference registration. All fees are non-refundable.
Private Showcases are late night events and take place Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30pm – 3am. Each conference attendee receives a Pocket Guide that lists all Private Showcase performances.
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.
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.