2009 Florida Music Festival

JUST ADDED on 2/27/09: BMI is "Going Green" for the 8th Annual Florida Music Festival extending the deadline until March 10th!



One lucky band wins $1000 in travel expenses to showcase on the BMI Mainstage!



The 2009 Florida Music Festival is excited to announce that longtime Industry Sponsor BMI has EXTENDED the DEADLINE for until March 10th and selecting one band from the submissions at Sonicbids to join us for FMF2009 and perform on the BMI Mainstage Showcase on opening night, Thursday, May 14th! As well, if the artist is able, they will be able to play an additional acoustic set at the BMI Brunch on Sat, May 16th for an exclusive Industry and Artist invite only crowd.



The artist will be selected on March 11th, after all submissions have been posted, and will receive $1000 in travel & accommodations expenses, a BMI Mainstage Showcase slot and VIP Industry Passes for the entire weekend to network and promote your music.



Please Note: Artists that registered for FMF09 that are Florida and Puerto Rico-based are automatically entered into Florida GRAMMY® Showcase 2009 .


Blasting into its 8th year as the largest music networking event in the southeast, the 2009 Florida Music Festival is set to break records again with more than 200 industry, 250 bands, solo artists, and over 25,000 music fans expected in attendance. FMF has requested that artists submit their material using Sonicbids. FMF is held each spring at 15 sold out, state of the art indoor/outdoor venues over four days of the sunshine, rooftop parties, and rocking the streets of Downtown Orlando with the region’s top unsigned talent. This year's FMF will be held May 14-17th, 2009. The Florida Music Festival offers submitted artists the unique opportunity for a specified number to attend the conferences and showcases free of charge, whether they are performing or just networking. They will also have the chance to perform on sold out stages from 500 capacity indoors, to 5000 capacity outdoors. Past unsigned artists include Taylor Swift, Academy Is, Paramore and others, along with former headliners like Third Eye Blind, Flogging Molly, Buckcherry, Blue Man Group and Less Than Jake.

Submit now: One artist who submits between January 1 and February 28 and is selected will win $1,000 cash for travel; a main stage performance slot and VIP passes for all parties. Also, one artist who submits between February 1 and February 10 and is selected will be guaranteed a main stage slot within two hours of the headliner on the opening night.



FMF has already selected Sonicbids member Status Green from Asbury Park, New Jersey for the Mainstage Showcase, with Travel/Accommodations covered and VIP Industry Networking Passes for the entire weekend.


Additionally, the 8th Annual 2009 Florida Music Festival would like to bring one artist to Orlando to showcase all expenses paid. This is open to both US and Canadian artists. One act will be selected to showcase on the mainstage for 5,000 music fans, dozens of industry A&R, Agents and more:

• FMF pays for band travel expenses, hotels for 2 days/nights and food vouchers for lunch/dinner at mainstage area restaurants.
  
• FMF offers band MAINSTAGE showcase slot during primetime on Friday night.
  
• FMF offers band VIP passes to all parties/showcases/conferences (complimentary drinks, food, networking with all industry attendees)
  
• FMF/AXIS Magazine offers full page feature on the band (25,000 circulation/monthly)

Mainstage headliners have included: Flogging Molly, Less Than Jake, Third Eye Blind, Everclear, Buckcherry and more. "This is one of my favorite conferences of the year" Ron Burman
(Roadrunner/Nickelback)



Some of the recent years’ signings have included Big 10-4 (Universal) The Mile After (Drive-Thru/Rushmore), Black Tide (Interscope), Between The Trees (Sony) Taylor Swift all signing shortly after their FMF showcases. The music industry saturates the event with last year's attendees including names like Matt Pinfield (VH1), Ron Burman (Roadrunner/Nickelback), Steve Tramposch (Virgin/Red Jumpsuit Apparatus), John Janick (Fueled By Ramen/Panic! At The Disco/Fallout Boy), Richard Reines (President/ Drive Thru) as well as reps from Capitol, Atlantic, Epic, CAA, APA, WMA, ASCAP, BMI, and Purevolume to name just a few.



The FMF weekend includes two other significant aspects- the Indie Film Jam and Rock Walk art exhibition. The 5th annual Indie Film Jam will feature a juried competition of shorts, music videos and documentaries. Fresh off of an expansion year, the Rock Walk will display music inspired pieces from concert art and album covers to sculptures and mixed media.



Gibson Guitars returns as a major partner to allow submitted artists the chance to win a Gibson Les Paul.



Testimonials


"Black Tide's ear seering showcase at FMF06 go them attention from A&R (Interscope) and the Prince of Darkness himself (Ozzfest 07 Tour)"

-SPIN Magazine/Feb Issue

"That was Taylor Swift's first industry showcase, we had to kick her out of the venue following her performance because she was only 14 years old!"

-Richard Huff/FMF Production

"This is one of my favorite festivals to attend. I can't wait for this year's event."

- Steve Tramposch (Virgin/ Red Jumpsuit Apparatus)

"One of the best conferences on the calendar."

- Steve Robertson (Atlantic/ Shindeown/Paramore)

*Please note* Selected artists will receive a laminate for each band member to attend the conferences panels. Artists that have submitted but are not selected to showcase will receive 2 laminates that grant admission to conference panels.