Image Credit: Patrick Callow

Want to perform at Festival of Sails? The Emerging Artists Series is back for 2026!

Presented by Forte Magazine and K rock 95.5, Emerging Artists Series offers budding artists the opportunity to perform in front of thousands with some great prizes on offer as well!

Calling all up-and-coming musicians – the Festival of Sails is back another sun-soaked year of sailing and song on the bay!

On the shore, a big drawcard to the festival is the entertainment with a huge lineup of musicians making waves across multiple stages. Your name could be on the list as The Emerging Artists Series returns for another year of talent-showcasing.

Mainstay music champions Forte Magazine and K rock 95.5 have teamed up yet again to give emerging artists the chance to show off their chops in front of a lively crowd, win over new fans and to be part of Geelong’s biggest summer celebration. To top off the enticing offering, performers also have the chance to win some outstanding prizes.

Forte Magazine x K rock 95.5 Emerging Artists Series

• When: Saturday January 24th and Sunday January 25th during the Festival of Sails weekend
• Where: Tipi on the Bay, Fairnie Park, Festival of Sails
• Who can enter: Solo performers or duos performing original material (all genres welcome)
• Performance time: Approximately 20 minutes per act

Keep connected to your live music scene here.

 

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As the Festival of Sails rolls into the bay from Saturday 24 – Monday 26 January, the Emerging Artists Series will be held over the weekend on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January at Tipi on the Bay in Fairnie Park where the vibes are high. The hub for food, drinks and entertainment, the area is a high traffic zone in the event setting.

The series is a competition of local singer-songwriters and duos, offering acts 20 minutes to showcase their best original tunes to not only serenade a supportive crowd but to relish in the priceless rewards.

Not only can you add Festival of Sails to your performance portfolio, gaining hands-on experience in live professional performance in a high energy, rotating audience setting, you’ll also receive promotional opportunities through the channels of both Forte Magazine’s print and online presence across Regional Victoria and K rock 95.5’s airwave audience across Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast. Performers will compete for the chance to win the grand prize of $500, a return performance spot at Festival of Sails 2027 – only this time on the main stage, and promotions in Forte Magazine and K rock 95.5.

If you have talent, put your name in the rink to join the Emerging Artists Series for Festival of Sails 2026. Entries are now open until 11:59pm (AEDT) Sunday 30 November. To enter you must be available on both Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January.

Full details, terms and conditions and submission form for the Emerging Artists Series can be found here.