Applications for Mountaingrass 2025 are now closed.  (Applications are open 1st - 31st March each year.)
Mountaingrass only selects artists or acts that play bluegrass and American old-time music.   Please read this page before applying.
If you are unfamiliar with these styles? The Smithsonian Folkways Recordings are a great resource. You will find lots of lessons and recordings there. 

We welcome applications to present workshops. Workshops can include: techniques on an instrument, stagecraft and performance skills, leading a slow or intermediate jam, instrument maintenance, dance or other related topics.  If you want to offer a workshop only there is a separate application form below.

Information about the festival, our Artist Selection Criteria, Accommodation and Artist responsibilities  are available below. 

Perform

About Mountaingrass

Mountaingrass is a participative event for performers and ticket buyers alike. 

We are looking for musicians who want to be a part of the event, not just perform in concerts but also in workshops, jams and picking sessions.

Performers usually have at least two performances, (and sometimes three), in different venues during the event. Concerts occur in the evenings and afternoons. Workshops are held on Saturday and Sunday mornings. 
All acts are welcome to perform on our walk-up stage.

As Bluegrass and Old Time music are acoustic music forms, the festival encourages acoustic performances. Plugged-in or other non-acoustic instruments are discouraged. Professional sound engineers are available to provide microphone amplification.

Partners of performers selected to perform at the festival can obtain half price tickets provided names and numbers are included in the application form. Partners are also most welcome to volunteer their services and receive a free ticket for the festival in return. Children are welcome. Those under 18 are free.

In support of the bluegrass and old time cause, performers are encouraged to become part of ABOTMA through membership of the organisation. 

Image: Susan Gordon-Brown.

Performers are asked to organise their own accommodation. 

However, in some cases accommodation may be considered as part of a costs contribution and will be booked by the organisers. If this is the case, please indicate your requirements in your application. There is a wide range of accommodation in Bright with numerous caravan parks (with cabins), motels, hotels, apartments and houses. 

For 2025 the Committee has secured a whole venue with a limited number of bunks in dorm style accommodation with generous support from the Alpine Sports Lodge.  There are shared bathrooms, a fully equiped kitchen and an indoor dining room suitable for late night jamming.  Neighbours are a distance away.  It is a slightly longer walk to town than the caravan park.  Bunks are limited, rooms are small.  You may need ear plugs to sleep - we have exclusive use therefore expect late night jammng.  Please indicate at the end of your application if you and your band members are interested.  Costs per room or bunk are to be confirmed but we aim to keep them low and affordable. 
Image: Alpine Sports Lodge

 For accommodation options click here.

Performer accommodation 

When selecting artists we use the following criteria:

    a)  Type of material performed:

In accordance with the charter of ABOTMA to encourage bluegrass and old-time music performance, we will only select acts playing  bluegrass and American old-time music with acoustic stringed instruments.

    b)  Type of Performances:

In most cases, artists will be given at least two concert spots but may be asked to perform three times. Performers who can also provide a workshop or lead a jam or slow jam related to bluegrass or old-time music will be given preference, as will artists prepared to stay for the entire festival including Sunday evening. Being a participative event, it is considered important that all performing artists join in on picks and sessions over the weekend.

    c)  Performing Experience and Profile:

To be considered for a performance at the festival, artists must have previous experience performing on stage to an audience, and have well developed performance skills. Acts that are engaging and entertaining are given preference. 

    d)  Promotional material:

Performers should have promotional material such as CDs, merchandise, a website, photos and a bio that we can use in the promotion of Mountaingrass. When applying via the Application Form, performers are to submit a biography suitable for publication, and examples of their music via CDs, MP3s or links to sound files on their website.

    e) Costs Contributions: 

The festival committee aims to provide a minimum token costs contribution to each artist or group which is for use towards reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs.  Festival performers are classified as volunteers where costs contributions requested are fully attributable to expenses.

The contribution is primarilty intended to a be a contribution toward covering costs associated with attending the festival.  When proposing a contribution it is helpful to indicate on your application the cost of your travel and whether the requested contribution is negotiable.  

All performance costs contributions submitted are to include GST (if applicable) and should indicate which components are travel expenses and accommodation.

    f)  Applications: Closed on March 31, 2025. Final selections should be made by April - May. 

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the selection process, regardless of whether they are successful or not.

Artist Selection Criteria

Payment and public liability insurance

Artists and Workshop Presenters are responsible for all their accommodation, (unless negotiated otherwise), meals and drinks. Unfortunately, the festival does not provide riders for artists.

Artists and bands must identify all members of their act on the application and indicate if particular members are included in other acts that are also applying. This is to assist when developing the program schedule.   The committee encourages you to keep us informed if scheduling conflicts arise after you submit your application.

Artists and Workshop Presenters who are selected who have their own public liability insurance must provide it when contracts are signed.  As a Not for Profit organisation all artists must submit an invoice to receive their costs contibution.  If that invoice is submitted before the festival the costs contribution can be reimbursed to you sooner.  

Performers and Workshop Presenters who do not have their own public liability insurance can play as a volunteer for a ‘contribution’ paid to them after the event. Volunteers are covered under the ABOTMA’s Public Liability Insurance policy. 

Artist Responsibilities

Performer Applications for Mountaingrass 2025 now CLOSED.  The Performer Applications deadline was 31 March 2025

For any further information please contact ABOTMA