All information for musicians
You play and sing for us – in an impressive diversity of genres, instruments, and voices. Thank you!
As a musician or singer, you can either perform on an “official” FETE stage at the Fête de la Musique. You can find these stages through our matchmaking tool.
Or you can sing and play spontaneously as street musicians.
On this page, you’ll learn what to consider and what opportunities are available for musicians.
The most important thing first: General Agreement (Erklärung der Richtlinien) for Fête de la Musique (PDF).
Here, we address all musicians who would like to play spontaneously on the streets or in a planned manner at one of the many music venues.
Everyone may participate, whether professionals or beginners, regardless of the musical style you prefer.
Through our matchmaking tool, you can apply for a slot on a stage/at a music venue.
If you prefer to play spontaneously and unplugged on the street, you’ll find the guidelines for street musicians here.
Please be sure to read our guidelines for musicians
Important information to download
Use our network. With the matchmaking tool, you’ll find venues and supporters
Stages, musicians, and supporters can register, create a profile, and thus find each other bilaterally.
Don’t have a profile yet? Register as a user in our matchmaking tool.
Freuqently asked questions for musicians
What opportunities are there for musicians to participate?
The easiest way to participate and follow the spirit of the “Fête de la Musique” is to pick up your instrument or warm up your voice, go out to the streets, squares, or parks, and showcase your skills. Here you can download the guidelines for street musicians. To perform on one of the stages of the official program, you can register with the matchmaking tool, create a profile, and get in touch with the stage makers.
How does one get a performance on a stage of the official program?
Musicians can create a profile in the matchmaking tool and thus get in contact with the program makers of the stages and music venues. It is also possible to directly contact an official music venue of the “Fête de la Musique” and offer a performance or inquire about available slots.
Who decides whether and at which music venue a performance will take place?
The stage organizers are independently responsible and free in their selection of musicians and genres. They ultimately make the decision about which program and which artists they want to present.
I have found a location where I want to perform. How is this venue included in the official program and how is my performance incorporated?
For inclusion in the official program of the “Fête de la Musique Berlin”, it is necessary to find a responsible person who registers the location online via the participation form and is available as a cooperation partner. Whether a music venue can participate depends, among other things, on the prospect of approval from the authorities. The music venues receive a program link to publish the concerts at their location. A performance planned as street music (e.g., in front of the local pub) can be informally reported by email and will then be announced on the FeteBerlin social media channels. Here you can find information about street music.
Do I have to bring my own equipment (backline, PA)? What does the music venue provide?
The technical requirements strongly depend on the orientation of the music venue and the performing artists. An unplugged singer-songwriter program has different requirements than a lineup with electronic music. If special equipment is necessary or desired for the performance, this should be clarified in advance. For this reason, it is important to make clear arrangements with the respective stage organizers beforehand.
Is street music generally allowed? What do I need to be aware of?
Generally speaking, street music is allowed during the “Fête de la Musique” as long as you adhere to some rules. Street music is not permitted, for example, in the immediate vicinity of hospitals, nursing homes, memorials, and similar establishments worthy of protection. Your performance may last a maximum of 60 minutes (after which you must/can move to another location). Instruments must be positioned so that the nearest residents are not directly sound-blasted (minimum distance of 20 meters). Please refer to the street music guidelines for this.
Why do the musicians not receive an honorarium for the performance?
The worldwide general agreement stipulates that musical groups perform at the “Fête de la Musique” without an honorarium and no entrance fee is charged. The fundamental idea of the “Fête de la Musique” is a free music festival that is accessible to everyone. A day where music is celebrated without commercial interests! The non-profit concept does not exclude income and explicitly aims for cost coverage. This means that stage organizers can potentially use revenues (from gastronomy, third-party funds, etc.) for compensation payments to musicians.
What is the added value of participation in a performance without a fee?
Besides the fun and joy of music, musicians can reach a large, music-enthusiastic audience and thus potential future fans at the “Fête de la Musique”. Through social media and coverage by traditional media, musicians can also reach many people. And quite practically, one can expand their network to event organizers, bookers, other musicians, etc.
What does the Music Board do to promote the music acts?
The entire program is available online on the Fête website. Via social media (with over 40,000 followers on Facebook alone and over 13,000 on Instagram) and on the website, selected music acts are presented with interviews and videos. Through extensive press work, the program of the “Fête de la Musique Berlin” achieves diverse coverage in traditional media.
How does it work with GEMA?
The music venues commit to obtaining the GEMA music sequences from the musicians and collectively transmit them to the Music Board. The Music Board takes care of the entire processing with GEMA and also covers the costs for the license fees. On this basis, GEMA then distributes the royalties to the music creators.