Share Your Sound with Our Community.

We invite original musicians and emerging artists to apply for Porchardfest, a live music series set among the apple trees during peak harvest season.

The Musicians We’re Seeking

Original & Emerging Artists
Singer-songwriters and bands performing original music or thoughtfully reimagined material. We’re especially excited to spotlight artists with a clear voice, strong songwriting, and a distinct sound.

Acoustic & Orchard-Friendly Performances
Acts that work beautifully in a relaxed, open-air environment—music that invites people to linger, listen, and connect without overpowering the setting.

Creative, Genre-Curious Sounds
Folk, indie, roots, Americana, and genre-blending styles that feel warm, soulful, playful, or reflective. Music that pairs well with cider, crisp air, and orchard views.

Community & Connection-Focused Performers
Artists who enjoy engaging with an audience and contributing to the overall feel of the day, not just performing a set, but helping shape the experience.

Performance & Compensation Details

We believe in fair, transparent compensation for all artists who help shape the Porchardfest experience. Our goal is to create opportunities that are rewarding both artistically and financially.

Compensation Structure

Musicians at Porchardfest are offered a base performance fee plus a percentage of ticket revenue (a “gate share”). This hybrid model ensures that artists receive a guaranteed minimum regardless of attendance, while also benefiting when performances attract a larger audience, a win-win that reflects your contribution to the event’s success.

Performance Details

  • Shows are scheduled 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on select Saturdays during harvest season.

  • Each festival day will feature 2–3 acts, curated for flow and variety.

  • Musicians will be promoted across our official channels, including:

    • Social media features

    • Website artist spotlight

    • Email newsletters and festival press materials

Ticketing & Audience

We anticipate approximately 800–1,000 guests per concert day with gated access separate from Pick-Your-Own apples. All ticket sales that contribute to your gate share will be tracked through our ticketing system.

Promotion

We provide extensive promotion of each act through:

  • Event announcements on social platforms

  • Dedicated artist features in our marketing campaigns

  • Inclusion in paid ads where applicable

  • Street Signage on Main Street, a heavily traveled main road

  • Signage at Bolton Spring Farm and key local community centers

  • For each band, we will create tip the band signs with a QR code of your Venmo or other virtual tipping option.

Contracts & Payment

Selected artists will receive a written performance agreement outlining compensation terms, payment timing, and expectations. As standard in live music bookings:

  • A portion of your base fee may be issued as a deposit when confirmed

  • Final payment and revenue share settlement will occur after the event, per your contract

 We strive for clarity and fairness in all agreements to make your Porchardfest performance a highlight of the season.

Call for Musicians

Porchardfest is a fall music-forward celebration set among the orchard at Bolton Spring Farm. The event features live music throughout the day, woven into a relaxed, outdoor farm experience with food, drink, and community gathering.

This application is for musicians and musical acts interested in performing at Porchardfest. We are especially excited to discover new voices, original music, and distinctive performers whose sound complements an intimate, outdoor setting.

All submissions are reviewed with care to ensure a strong fit for the event’s tone, setting, and overall experience.

  • Musicians selected to perform at Porchard Fest receive a base performance fee plus a share of ticket revenue from that day’s concert. This hybrid model ensures artists are guaranteed payment while also sharing in the success of the event.

  • A portion of ticket sales from each Porchard Fest concert day is shared with the performing musicians. This means when attendance is strong, artists benefit directly.

    Gate share percentages and base fees are confirmed in advance and outlined in your performance agreement.

  • Each Porchard Fest date will feature 2–3 musical acts. The gate share for that day is handled as follows:

    • A designated percentage of net ticket revenue is allocated to the artists performing that day.

    • That artist pool is then divided evenly among the scheduled acts, unless otherwise noted in advance (for example, if set lengths differ significantly).

    • Every artist still receives their base guaranteed fee, regardless of attendance.

    This structure keeps compensation fair, transparent, and collaborative across the lineup.

  • We anticipate approximately 800–1,000 guests per Porchard Fest date. These concerts will be separately ticketed and gated, distinct from Pick-Your-Own visitors.

    • Performance window: 3:00 p.m. –5:00 p.m.

    • Each act typically performs a 30–45 minute set, depending on the day’s lineup.

    • Artists will receive arrival, soundcheck, and set time details well in advance.

  • Yes. All selected acts will receive active promotion, including:

    • Features on the Farm Fresh Events & Bolton Spring Farm website

    • Social media spotlights

    • Inclusion in email newsletters

    • Listing in event schedules and promotional materials

    • Street and store signage at Bolton Spring Farm.

    We see Porchard Fest as a shared experience, our audience is our audience.

  • Yes! Musicians are welcome to sell merchandise during Porchard Fest. Details about setup location and timing will be shared closer to the event.

  • Basic production details (stage, sound, power access) will be shared with selected artists. Musicians should expect to provide their own instruments and any specialized equipment.

    • A portion of the base fee may be issued as a deposit upon confirmation

    • Remaining payment and gate share settlement will be completed after the event, as outlined in your performance agreement

  • Yes. Porchard Fest is designed as a relaxed, all-ages afternoon music experience set in the orchard. We encourage music that feels engaging, energetic, and accessible to a broad audience.

  • We are especially interested in:

    • Original music and emerging artists

    • Indie, folk, rock, Americana, alternative, and genre-blending sounds

    • Acts that thrive in an outdoor, communal setting

    For this series, we are less focused on cover bands and more excited by distinct voices and creative energy.

  • Final notifications on Porchardfest lineups for each date will be sent on July 1, 2026

Thank you for your interest in being part of Bolton Spring Farm’s 2026 Event Series.

Notifications on acceptance will be sent on:

  • Porchard Fest | Call for Musicians CLOSES on July 1, 2026

Questions? Contact Karen Regan, at events@BoltonSpringFarm.com or 978.505.2457.

Porchard Fest Musician FAQ

Stay in Touch

Want to be updated on new events and experiences?

Sign up for our mailing list!