What is the Spotlight Competition?
Subsonic Music Festival has always been about supporting our community of emerging creatives. The Spotlight Competition is your chance to step onto our stage (or share your work) for the very first time.
Whether you’re an up-and-coming DJ, producer, live band, performer, workshop facilitator, visual artist, or independent maker — this is for you. No big label backing needed. No mainstage festival credits required. Just your talent, your idea, and your passion to shine.
Who can apply?
- Open to all Australian residents
- Strictly for artists and makers in their infancy — no prior mainstage festival shows (or equivalent in your field).
- Solo or group projects welcome. One application per project.
How to apply
- Create your artist profile via our by clicking the appropriate link below.
- Submit your original work in your chosen category.
- Tick the box to submit your entry and join the Spotlight Competition.
- Share your link — get your community voting!
Categories
- DJ - https://www.subsonicmusic.com.au/applications/artists
- Producer - https://www.subsonicmusic.com.au/applications/artists
- Band - https://www.subsonicmusic.com.au/applications/artists
- Performer - https://www.subsonicmusic.com.au/applications/performers
- Workshop - https://www.subsonicmusic.com.au/applications/workshops
- Visual Artist - https://www.subsonicmusic.com.au/applications/multimedia-artists
- Photographer/Videographer - https://www.subsonicmusic.com.au/applications/media-teams
- Art Installation - https://www.subsonicmusic.com.au/applications/installation-artists
- Handmade/Jeweller - https://www.subsonicmusic.com.au/applications/market-stalls
What do you win?
- A performance spot, exhibition or workshop slot at Subsonic Music Festival 2025 (4–7 December)
- Professional photos and 3 short reels of your set or work
- A 1:1 mentorship session with an industry professional in your field.
- For Handmade Artisan: a shared 3×6m stall to sell your work at our riverside festival.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: 7 July 2025, 9:00 AM AEST
- Applications Close: 11 August 2025, 11:59 PM AEST
- Voting Opens: 11 August 2025
- Voting Closes: 1 September 2025, 11:59 PM AEST
- Winners Announced: Week of 2 September 2025
How does voting work?
Your community will help decide. The top 10 finalists in each category are chosen by public vote. Voting runs for three weeks and is updated every Sunday.
Final winners will then be selected by a professional panel of industry experts.
Join the Spotlight
Don’t wait for someone else to open the door. Step up. Show us and the rest of the community who you are.
Terms & Conditions
Please read our Spotlight Competition Terms & Conditions for full details before applying.
© Subsonic Music Festival Pty Ltd 2025