March 12, 2026
We are delighted to once again invite musicians of all kinds to apply to be part of Hidden Door Festival in Edinburgh. This year we have reserved 10 slots, to be selected in partnership with Creative Edinburgh and the National Centre for Music, who are also offering a creative mentoring scheme as part of the opportunity.
Read on for more details…
Submission Deadline: Wednesday 25th March 2026, midnight
Event Dates: Wednesday 3rd – Sunday 7th June 2026
Location: The Paper Factory, Edinburgh
Hidden Door is inviting applications from bands, singer-songwriters, electronic music producers, solo musicians and any form of live music performance from any genre to form part of the Live Music Programme at Hidden Door 2026.
There are limited places, with only ten slots reserved for the open call. We are looking for acts that will fit well with what we have programmed, but will also stand out and make an impression on our audience. Selected artists will also have the opportunity to participate in a creative mentoring scheme supported by Creative Edinburgh and the National Centre for Music.
Eligibility
Anyone from the UK can apply. However, as a charity set up to promote and support culture in Scotland, we will be looking to prioritise acts who are based in or who have a connection to Scotland.
Performance Space & Atmosphere
Hidden Door transforms unique spaces into performance venues. In 2026, we will stage a final spectacular takeover of The Paper Factory, a massive industrial site in west Edinburgh.
In selecting applicants we will be looking for acts whose work and performance compliments the overarching programme themes for this years festival:
Hidden Door is about discovery and creativity and our audiences will be able to explore multiple performances, installations, and artistic experiences throughout the festival.
Set Length & Technical Requirements
Sets will typically be 30 – 45 minutes, and artists should be prepared for a quick turnaround between acts.
Hidden Door will provide all technical requirements and technical support for the selected acts. Once selected, acts will be assigned an artist liaison who will work with them and help them provide all necessary technical information and promotional information required by Hidden Door.
Promotion & Engagement
We encourage artists to help promote their performance via social media and networks. Hidden Door will also promote all selected acts through our marketing channels. Specific requirements and arrangements for listing and promoting your show will be made after selection.
We also like our contributors to help by being a presence at the festival. Participating artists will receive a full access pass to the entire festival as well as guestlist passes and discount codes that will be confirmed closer to the festival.
Dates
If selected, you will be offered a specific date or a choice of dates. If you cannot commit to the available dates, we may need to withdraw your selection and offer the slot to another act.
Hidden Door is a volunteer-run, non-profit charity, with a focus on supporting emerging talent. We aim to fairly compensate all artists.
In the interest of fairness all selected artists will receive a flat fee per performance depending on band size. Our fees are based on National Gig Rates:
Fees include performance and basic rehearsal time. Unfortunately, we cannot cover additional travel expenses; however if this prohibits your ability to apply please let us know and exemptions to this policy may be considered.
We want a diverse, exciting, and high-quality lineup that fits Hidden Door’s vision. For 2026 our selection priorities are:
Assessment
Applications will be reviewed by a panel from Hidden Door, the National Centre for Music, Creative Edinburgh and other guest selectors. Please note the selection process is mainly based on the review of performance examples and as such we strongly encourage you to provide links to high-quality material where possible.
Successful applicants will be notified by email early May. Due to the volume of applications expected, we will not be able to give feedback on individual applications.
You can apply by completing our online application form. Key things to consider before applying are:
As part of the application we will ask for up to three examples of performances, one of which we would expect to be a video of a live performance. This is not compulsory, but is advisable as it will help us assess what audiences can expect from you.
Links can be a link to Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Spotify, or Youtube or any platform where the selection panel can listen to your music.
Q: Do I have to be based in Scotland to apply?
A: No, applications are open to musicians from anywhere in the UK. However, as a Scottish arts charity, we will be prioritising Scotland-based acts.
Q: What if my music doesn’t fit this year’s festival themes?
A: That’s okay! We encourage all genres and styles. While we are exploring themes such as Out-of-Place Objects, Stone Tape Theory and the Myth Of A Building, you don’t need to tailor your music to these. However, we are looking for artists whose style, atmosphere, or ethos aligns with the festival’s overall creative vision.
Q: What do I need to do to apply?
A: We have an online form for you to complete. This will ask for background information, and for examples of work. We strongly prefer at least one live performance video to assess your ability to perform in a live setting. However, we also accept high-quality studio recordings if you don’t have live footage.
Q: What if I don’t have a live performance video?
A: If you don’t have live footage, please provide high-quality recordings and a brief description of your live setup and experience.
Q: How many performance samples should I submit?
A: We are looking for a maximum of 3 links.
Q: When will I find out if I’ve been selected?
A: We aim to notify successful applicants in early May 2025. From past experience of receiving a high volume of applications we will not be able to provide feedback on individual submissions.
Q: What equipment and technical support is provided?
A: Hidden Door will provide:
All selected acts will be assigned an Artist Liaison who will help coordinate technical details. If you have any special requirements, please include them in your application.
Q: What are the perks of performing at Hidden Door?
A: All selected artists will receive:
Q: Will travel expenses be covered?
A: Unfortunately, Hidden Door does not have a budget to cover additional travel expenses. The fee should be considered all-inclusive, so please take this into account when deciding whether to apply. However if travel costs are prohibitive to your applying, please get in touch and we may be able to review this on a case by case basis.
Q: Will accommodation be provided for artists traveling from outside Edinburgh?
A: No, we are unable to provide accommodation. If you are traveling to perform, you will need to arrange your own accommodation.
If you need further information, contact us at music@hiddendoorarts.org
This open call is a partnership between Hidden Door, the National Centre for Music and Creative Edinburgh.
Hidden Door is a local arts charity. Through our annual festivals we showcase some of the most exciting creative talent in Scotland. Our Open Call for music is a way to champion local and emerging artists and to build creative communities.
The National Centre for Music will celebrate the richness of Scotland’s music and to help forge the music of our future. As audiences get to know us, we want to evidence this range in all our projects and partnerships, and encourage artists from all genres, backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.
Through this partnership, Creative Edinburgh has a valuable opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to supporting and sustaining Edinburgh’s and Scotland’s cultural landscape. We look forward to playing a direct role in nurturing new talent while reinforcing our mission to support the arts and creative industries across the city
