Castlemaine Jazz Festival 2027: Band Applications Open Until 30 November for June Performances
Three days of jazz, bands and musical diversity in regional Victoria
Castlemaine Jazz Festival has opened band applications for its 2027 edition, to be held over the King's Birthday weekend, 11–13 June 2027, in Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia. The current official closing date is 30 November 2026. The festival's website directs performers to a band application form and lists a contact for enquiries. Jazz bands, ensembles and singers interested in an established multi-venue festival can examine the call now.
The organiser does not state a blanket nationality or residence restriction in the short public notice, but it also does not promise to pay for overseas travel or provide an unrestricted visa arrangement. Potential non-local acts should ask whether applications from outside Australia are appropriate and obtain written confirmation of any offered support before budgeting a distant tour.
Why the 2026 programme is relevant to applicants
The festival's public review of its 2026 edition describes approximately 300 musicians and more than 40 acts appearing in diverse settings around Castlemaine. Performances included mainstream jazz, swing, big bands, modern improvised music, a jazz mass, and a neo-soul/funk group. This breadth suggests the organisation's understanding of jazz reaches well beyond a single instrumental style.
The 2026 programme featured Australian artists such as Meg Washington and pianist/composer Paul Grabowsky, and international guests including Dans Les Arbres. The host also lists local groups such as Castlemaine Jazz Orchestra and bands from Melbourne and other areas. These are documented past appearances, not an announcement that any of those artists will appear again in 2027.
What to prepare before using the official band form
Applicants should gather the band's name, lineup, instrumentation, performance videos or high-quality recordings, a short biography, repertoire and a realistic stage plot. In a multi-venue town festival, explaining whether the band can perform in a small hotel stage, bowling club or larger theatre may help organisers understand the logistics. These are editorial preparation suggestions; only the current linked Airtable form defines mandatory submission fields.
Be accurate about who owns recorded material and photographs that the festival might use in promotion. Any published technical riders, accessibility needs, suitable performance dates and equipment requirements should be declared early. The website's past programme provides practical context for likely performance venues and audience sizes.
Fees, transport and artist contracts need explicit confirmation
The public opening announcement does not specify a standard guaranteed artist fee, a paid accommodation package or an application charge. It would be misleading to advertise a payment without an official amount. Selected bands should agree in writing on performance duration, fees and payment timing, cancellations, transportation and instrument backline or amplification, sound-checks, insurance, and live-recording or image-use permissions.
A touring band should not assume the festival's sponsors or local-government relationships will automatically cover airfares. The application is a chance to be considered for programming, not a financial grant distributed to every participating musician.
Festival organizer and previous activity
Castlemaine Jazz Festival is managed by a locally based committee and identifies its supporters, venues, contact information, and performances on an accessible website. The 2026 president's annual review, past programme and photographs of participating bands enable musicians to examine its work before applying. Community partners include local businesses and the Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Official host and application link: https://castlemainejazzfestival.com.au/ . Direct band-form page: https://castlemainejazzfestival.com.au/band-applications/ . Questions: info@castlemainejazzfestival.com.au . Closing date: 30 November 2026. Information checked 19 October 2026.