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.
NEW IN 2020
Only registered Private Showcase hosts are permitted to hang posters on the Private Showcase floors. Posters must be specific to the hosted room and include a listing of all artists, times, and the room number.
Posters for individual artists and in non-designated areas of the Private Showcase floors will be removed. Green “painters tape” is the only permitted way of hanging posters. All others will be removed. Damage resulting from use of non-approved tape will be documented and billed to the room host.
For safety purposes and to clearly identify way-finding signage no postering of any kind will be permitted in certain designated sections of the Private Showcase floor hallways.
Additional Note:
An artist’s Poster Wall will be designated in the Exhibit Hall where all artists will be encouraged to submit one poster to be hung by FAI volunteers. All attendees will be invited to reference this Poster Wall for individual showcases and to vote on for a poster design award.
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.
Applications to present a Private Showcase Room are closed for this year.
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 are now closed.
