Seattle Hempfest 2008, Miss Crazy, Main Stage.
Photo by Anthony P. Lilly.

See the line-up page for this year's schedule.

How Does Your Band Play Hempfest?

August 7, 2010 UPDATE: The deadline for submitting for consideration to perform at Hempfest 2010 has passed.

After receiving 600+ submissions Hempfest's Entertainment Committee has selected the artists to perform for 2010. If your act was selected, you should have gotten an e-mail by now. Acts performing this year have been notified and scheduled.

We thanks all the great acts who submitted, and we wish we had room to include every act on our "yes" list.

For 2010, there were two ways to submit to Hempfest. Last year we had over 700 acts submit for consideration to perform at Hempfest, so there is no wiggle room regarding our process to submit. Our volunteer reviewing committee simply cannot manage 700+ hard copy submissions, so we GREATLY encourage you to use way #1.

Way #1:

To have your act considered to perform at Hempfest you just clicked on the Sonicbids logo

Seattle Hempfest has teamed up with SONICBIDS which uses digital technology to eliminate the materials needed to submit acts to booking agents/events.

Sonicbids is easy to use. A performer creates an account with Sonicbids for a small fee, then uploads all demo package information. The cost of submitting is roughly the cost of over-head required to mail out a CD, jewel case, folder, photo, bio, with postage, etc. It is cleaner and greener, easier and faster. Sonicbids splits each submission fee with Hempfest, and Hempfest passes its half onto the Entertainment Committee to reimburse bands for travel expenses if they are coming from far away.

Sonicbids is another step in Seattle Hempfest's desire to lessen our carbon footprint. This helps us evolve into a more green, more eco-friendly steward of the planet. Hempfest makes a big impact, and we ask you to join us in reducing waste and conserving resources by digitally submitting your demo package. The cost is roughly the same.

Once again, you can click on the logo above, or you can use this link http://www.sonicbids.com/SeattleHempfest to enter your act into consideration for the 2010 Seattle Hempfest.

Way #2.

We greatly prefer an electronic press kit via Sonicbids because it is more environmentally conscious and is easier for us to manage, but bands can still submit via snail-mail by sending hard copy submissions to: Hempfest Entertainment PO 95650 Sea WA 98145-2650.

What do our 2009 performers have to say about playing Hempfest?

"Absolutely first class as the organizers did such a great job for any size event and even more so on one as large as this. The selection and notification process was smooth, their timely and thorough posting of info and personally responding back to the artists without delay was one of the best I have ever experienced. Once at the gig they were very hospitable, nice back stage accommodations, and their sound and stage crew was the best I have ever experienced." - Rich Wetzel

"What an awesome bunch of folks. Hospitality was wonderful and the crowd was great too. We had a blast." - Paradigm Quartet

"As crazy as this event was due to the number of people who showed up, the organizers did a very good job of accomodating us and making sure our performance went as smooth as possible. Additionally, all of the staff were very nice and willing to offer any help we needed."- Moyra

"Really professional. Treated us well and very organized. Good folks." - Half Acre Day

"The entire staff of Hempfest was excellent to work with, very accommodating. The event itself was GREAT, huge turn out, everything in regards to our show went off without a hitch. Very professional group and we would work with them again in a heartbeat. " - Ockham's Razor

"Big thank you to the fine folks at Hempfest for putting on such a first-rate festival! Communication was excellent, hospitality was very good, and we were treated just great! It was our pleasure to take part in such a massive event. Thank you Hempfest!" - Shanghai Woolies

STAGE PLOT DOCUMENT: Word or PDF

PERFORMER DRIVING DIRECTIONS: PDF

Do bands get paid for playing Hempfest?

Rarely. Staffed completely by volunteers, Hempfest is free to attend and has no admission fee. Therefore most of the 56 plus acts who perform each year do so without compensation, as a contribution to the cause. There are rare exceptions when we pay a top headliner their benefit fee. Otherwise, the Entertainment Crew operates on a shoe-string budget and is limited to offering gas money to performers traveling from afar.

We are working hard to bring in more revenue so we can pay our world class acts that make us so proud, but we're not there yet. Music is a huge part of any culture, and ours is no exception. We honor the hundreds of bands and thousands of musicians who have contributed to Seattle Hempfest over the years. It is a privilege to work with so many professionals who are passionate about their beliefs. Together we all make Hempfest possible.

We are interested in your feedback. Send your comments to: entertainment2010@hempfest.org

2010 Performer Information