Thank you for expressing an interest in performing at Country on the Coast 2027, the South Coast’s award-winning destination for country music on a pier!
We pride ourselves on being a ‘Nashville on the Coast’ experience, bringing the community together to celebrate Country and Americana. Please note that we are a genre specific festival; if your music falls outside of these categories, your application is unlikely to be successful.
Festival Details & Stages
The confirmed dates for 2027 are Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th April, with Friday 16th April currently under discussion. The festival is held at The Gaiety, South Parade Pier in Southsea, Portsmouth, UK, which is an indoor venue.
We operate two indoor stages:
The Main Stage: Full PA, lighting, and backline provided. We host a mix of solos, duos, trios, and full bands (25 - 40 minute sets), including our popular Songwriter Round.
The Acoustic Stage: Full PA and lighting provided. This is for stripped-back, intimate sets (20 - 25 minutes) featuring solos and duos.
Originals vs. Covers
Our mission is to showcase original music. However, don’t mind if artists want to weave some popular country covers into their sets. We will be looking for evidence of original music in your digital content so if you are yet to release and have no evidence of original music in your socials etc then your application is unlikely to be successful. We are also looking for performances with live instruments rather than backing tracks so please ensure you can meet this requirement. If you apply as a band we will be looking for evidence of band performances on your digital platforms and that the band is available and willing to perform.
Fees & Travel
All successful artists will be offered a fee to assist with travel expenses. Fees are allocated by the festival team based on stage and setup, and are paid in cash on the day of performance. We do not have accommodation onsite but there are plenty of options nearby.
International Applicants: Please note that our fees are in line with other UK boutique festivals. We do not have the capacity to cover flights or accommodation. We ask that international artists only apply if they are already planning to be in the UK/Europe or are prepared to build a tour around these dates.
Media & Promotion
Successful artists gain access to unique press opportunities, professional photography, and selected live video recordings (subject to professional availability).
As a community driven festival, we have a high expectation of mutual support. If selected, you are expected to be an active partner in promoting the festival to your audience via your digital channels.
Timeline
Applications Close: 30th September 2026
Artist Notification: By 30th November 2026
We endeavour to email all artists whether they are successful or not so please ensure your email address is correct.
Country on the Coast is a trading name controlled by Hannah Roper. By completing this form, you consent to join our mailing list (you may unsubscribe at any time).
