Diversafest (Dfest) 2009

Dfest is one of the premier independent music festivals in the US and features an added music industry conference to help emerging artists gain exposure and connect with the music industry. In 2009, the Eighth Annual Dfest will be host to a two-day, multi-genre music event showcasing over 150 artists with two full days of music panels, music clinics, demo listening and artist mentoring at its conference; then each night of the event, Dfest features national recording artists on two large outdoor festival stages while top local, regional and national emerging artists perform on a multitude of outdoor stages and indoor venue and club stages.

Dfest is held in the historic entertainment district of downtown Tulsa called the Blue Dome District and has a block party/festival atmosphere that will attract more than 60,000 music professionals, artists, music enthusiasts and fans to discover the 130 emerging artists who will showcase on over 10 stages. In just eight years, Dfest has quickly become one of the top independent music conferences in the nation as well as the Midwest’s largest music festival showcasing exciting new diverse musical talent.



By submitting to Dfest 2009, you will be considered not only for a showcase slot at Dfest 2009, but a track on the Dfest featured artist compilation with A&R and music industry distribution. A minimum of 30 Sonicbids artists will be selected for Dfest slots. In 2007 and 2008, over 50% of artists selected for Dfest were Sonicbids artists.



Artists who submit but are not selected to showcase receive two artist badges to attend the music conference portion of the event, which is specifically designed to educate working musicians and impart invaluable information to artists in any stage of their career. The panels will span a comprehensive list of topics, along with special instructional music clinics and workshops. There are serious music industry contacts that can be made simply by attending the Dfest Music Conference, even if you are not chosen to showcase.



Dfest is the place to connect with music industry that will take you to the next level as a band and help you become the star you want to be. In one weekend, you will network with industry insiders and perform in packed venues to hundreds of people, or to tens of thousands should you get a festival stage showcase slot. This is truly the place to be and to be seen if you are an emerging artist wishing to further your career.



Over the years, Dfest has showcased some of the hottest up-and-coming acts in the world. As a result, Dfest has received national media attention and a reputation for being one of the coolest showcases for new music. Past performers at Dfest include headliners: The All-American Rejects, The Roots, The Flaming Lips, The Disco Biscuits, Paramore, Leon Russell, Shiny Toy Guns, moe., Ghostland Observatory, Zappa Plays Zappa, The Apples In Stereo, Helmet, Clutch, Amos Lee, The Format, MC Chris, Black Stone Cherry, Phantom Planet, The Veils, and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey.



The fine print details:

The only cost to showcasing artists to perform at Dfest is the initial submission fee, plus the cost of getting yourself to Dfest. There are no additional costs or fees to play at Dfest if you are selected to showcase. Understanding also that artists selected to showcase at Dfest 2009 are not monetarily compensated, nor provided lodging or travel expenses, but each member of every showcasing act plus two additional crewmembers will receive their own complimentary Dfest All Event Badge ($150 value for each badge), that will admit entrance to all music conference panels, clinics, music festival, and all related public events, and also includes entrance to the VIP kick-off event, plus networking and industry parties. Lastly, all Dfest participants receive a specially discounted room rate at the host hotel, the Downtown Tulsa Crowne Plaza, where the conference panels, clinics, and artist mentoring sessions are held.

Showcasing artists must be able to perform a 40-minute set of original material.