Echoes of the City Stages: Capturing the Rhythm and Heartbeat of the City

Echoes of the City
Call for Local Bands & Musicians – Artscape 2026

Echoes of the City captures the rhythm, heartbeat, and creative pulse of Baltimore. This dynamic initiative spotlights emerging and rising local talent, showcasing the voices, sounds, and visions shaping our city’s creative future. The Echoes Stage provides a platform for artists to share their stories, electrify audiences, and be heard at scale.

 
CALL FOR LOCAL BANDS: PERFORM AT ARTSCAPE 2026
Create Baltimore (formerly Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts) is seeking local bands and musicians of all genres to perform at Artscape 2026 — the largest free arts festival in the country.

This is your opportunity to bring your sound to thousands of festival-goers and be part of Baltimore’s most visible and celebrated cultural event.

If you make music in this city, we want to hear from you!

 
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We welcome bands, duos, and solo artists from all musical backgrounds, including but not limited to:

• Rock & Alternative
• Hip-Hop & R&B
• Jazz & Classical
• Funk & Soul
• Electronic & Experimental
• Indie, Folk & Singer-Songwriters
• Go-Go, Reggae, Afrobeat & more

Artists should demonstrate:

• Strong live performance ability
• A clear artistic voice
• Readiness for a professional festival stage

WHAT YOU GET
✔ Paid performance opportunity
✔ Exposure to thousands of Artscape attendees
✔ Promotion through Artscape and Create Baltimore marketing channels
✔ Participation in a legendary Baltimore festival celebrating local culture

 
APPLICATION DEADLINE
February 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM

**ARTSCAPE 2026 Band Selection & Adjudication Process**

Create Baltimore is committed to a transparent, equitable, and artist-centered selection process for Artscape 2026. This adjudication framework supports a lineup that reflects the breadth, excellence, and cultural vitality of Baltimore’s music scene.

 
PHASE 1: ELIGIBILITY REVIEW
All applications are reviewed by Create Baltimore staff to confirm basic eligibility. To advance, submissions must meet the following criteria:

     ✅ Complete application with all required materials
     ✅ Baltimore-based artists prioritized; Maryland-affiliated artists considered
     ✅ Originality and artistic quality (Cover acts may be considered, with preference given

          to original work.)
     ✅ Ability to perform a 45–60 minute live set (stage dependent)

Incomplete or ineligible applications will not advance.

 
PHASE 2: ARTISTIC REVIEW
Eligible submissions are reviewed by a jury panel using a streamlined scoring system designed for clarity and consistency.

Scoring Criteria (50 Points Total)
Each submission is evaluated across five core areas, scored 1–10 points each:

• Artistic Quality
• Musicianship, cohesion, and overall sound
• Originality & Voice
• Distinctiveness, creativity, and clarity of artistic identity
• Live Performance Potential
• Stage presence, energy, and ability to engage an audience
• Community & Cultural Connection
• Relationship to Baltimore and contribution to a diverse festival lineup
• Professional Readiness
• Quality of materials, organization, and preparedness for a festival setting

Final scores are averaged across jurors.

 
PHASE 3: FINAL CURATION & SELECTION
Lineup Development
Top-scoring artists are considered for placement based on:

• Stage availability
• Genre balance
• Representation of emerging and established artists
• Priority may be given to acts that offer high-impact, audience-forward performances

PHASE 4: NOTIFICATIONS
Artist notifications begin March 20, 2026.
A waitlist will be maintained in case of cancellations.
 
NEXT STEPS FOR SELECTED ARTISTS
Selected artists will receive:

• Performance details
• Festival guidelines
• Technical and logistical information

All artists must confirm availability and comply with festival requirements to secure placement.
 
IMPORTANT NOTES
Submission does not guarantee selection.

Past participation does not guarantee selection.
Final programming decisions are made by Create Baltimore.
This process applies to all Artscape music stages unless otherwise noted.