Become an Official YRAS Showcase Artist!

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Each year Your Roots Are Showing brings together international artists, festival programmers, agents, labels, media, and cultural organisations for five days of performances, panels, and industry exchange.

Official Showcase Artists perform for an audience of global music industry professionals while participating fully in the YRAS conference community.

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The 2027 conference will take place in Belfast from February 24–28, 2027.

Showcases take place on professional stages within the conference venue and are designed to highlight exceptional artists working across roots, acoustic, traditional, and contemporary genres.

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Applications are open to artists from Ireland and around the world.

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Eligibility

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For the Official Showcase Application of Your Roots Are Showing, please note the following guidelines:

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• You do not need to be a member of YRAS to apply for an official showcase.
   

• While there is no fee to APPLY for an Official Showcase, artists chosen for the showcase, along with their accompanying musicians, must be paid registrants of the conference. This registration gives you full access to all programming, panels, workshops, gig fair, showcasing, trade fair, and sessions over the entire 5 days of the conference and music trail. Conference registration prices for official showcase artists will be capped at the early bird price. 
   

• Artists from outside of Ireland must ensure they can legally enter the country. It is their responsibility to obtain all necessary travel documentation, including visas, if required.
   

• Artists cannot participate in the Official Showcase for more than two consecutive years without taking a year off. This rule promotes diversity and ensures that a broad spectrum of both established and emerging artists have the opportunity to participate in the Official Showcases.
   

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Radius Clause
 

To ensure the Official Showcases remain the central focus of the YRAS conference, artists selected for the Official Showcase may not schedule public concerts within a 20 mile (32 km) radius of central Belfast between February 24–28, 2027.

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This restriction does not apply to:

• radio appearances
• media interviews
• in store performances
• private industry events

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Artists are encouraged to take part in promotional activities during the conference week.

Events outside the conference may not use the YRAS name, branding, or delegate list without prior written permission. 

 

YRAS will work with artists and their teams to help maximise the visibility and opportunities created through the Official Showcase.

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Application Timeline

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Applications open: April 5

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Priority Deadline: May 31

Applications received by this date will be included in the first round of review.

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Final Deadline: June 16

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All applicants will be notified within four weeks of the final deadline.

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Selection Process

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Applications are reviewed by an international panel of industry professionals representing festivals, venues, media, and artist development organisations.

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Selection is based on artistic quality, live performance potential, and readiness for international opportunities.

The YRAS programme aims to present a balanced lineup of artists from Ireland and around the world.

 

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Application Requirements

Applicants will be asked to provide the following:

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Artist Information

• Artist / band name
• Names and roles of all band members
• Artist representation or management contact details (if applicable)

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Artist Materials

• 250 word artist biography
• Links to two audio tracks (streaming links only — no file transfers)
• One video of a recent live performance

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Images

• Two high resolution artist or band photos (colour, 300 dpi)

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Press & Recognition

• Links to recent press coverage or media reviews (if available)
• Awards, nominations, or notable achievements (optional)

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Production Information

• Stage plot (PDF) may be requested from selected artists prior to the conference.

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Showcase Artist Promotion

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Artists selected for an Official Showcase will be asked to share their participation as a YRAS Official Showcase Artist on social media using a promotional badge provided by the conference.

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This helps introduce artists to the wider YRAS community and ensures the showcase programme receives the visibility it deserves across the international music network attending the conference.

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Performance Details

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Showcases take place on professional stages with lighting, sound, and backline provided.

Backline will include guitar and bass amplifiers, drum kits, and keyboards. Artists should indicate clearly in their application if drums or keyboards will be required.

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While we do not provide upright basses, we will assist artists in locating rental instruments if needed.

Artists will perform a 30 minute showcase set, followed by a 15 minute changeover.

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All showcases take place within the official YRAS conference venue in Belfast.

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