KVFF Youth Performer Guidelines
​​
About The Festival
The Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival is presented and organised by Shoalhaven Folk Club Inc.
The 19th Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival will be held on 16-18 October 2026 at the Kangaroo Valley Showground. See the festival website for more details.
​
What is a Youth Performer?
If you and most of your act are mostly aged under 18, new to the festival scene and looking for some unpaid but great audience exposure, you might like to apply to perform as a Youth Performer.
​
Fees/Entitlements
In appreciation of your performance, we’re pleased to offer each person in your act a weekend ticket to the festival, as well as:
​
-
For acts of just 1 person - 1 parent or guardian will receive a weekend ticket to attend and accompany them.
-
For acts of 2 or more people - a limit of 2 parents or guardians will receive a weekend ticket to attend and accompany them.​​
​
The Festival is a small, not-for-profit event with a limited budget, run by volunteers. You are welcome to sell your CDs and other ‘merch’ in the Festival Shop and also outside the performance venue following your show. For many performers this is the main source of revenue at the festival.
​
How To Apply
Applications to perform at the Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival close 31 March.
An online application form can be accessed above from February 1.
​
Youth Performer Enquiries: Rob Cleary 0417 449 059
Email:perform@kangaroovalleyfolkfestival.com.au
​
Selection Process
The KVFF Youth Performer Program is for performers aged (mostly) under 18 years.
​
Applications for Youth Performers close 31 March and we anticipate that performer selection will be mostly completed by the end of June. You will be notified of the success or otherwise of your application by mid July.
​
The initial application is essentially an expression of interest, with sufficient information to assess the application. Those acts selected to perform at the festival will be contacted and asked to provide additional information.
​
Your application may include web links showing videos, recordings and images. Videos and recordings of your performance should be representative of the act that you are proposing to perform at the festival.
​
Please assist us by not leaving it to the last minute to submit your application. It helps us by spreading the workload involved in assessing applications and we may be able to give you a decision earlier as well.
​​​​
Circussing, street performers and buskers
Street performers are welcome to apply as we love the colour and diversity they provide. Such acts who have performances suitable for young children (eg, clowns, magic acts, puppeteers, kids crafts, etc) are highly sought after for our children’s program.
​
Programming​
Depending on space in the programme, you will be scheduled to perform 1 to 3 gigs. Most acts will have 15 to 30 minutes of stage time due to high demand, and the committee has the final say on scheduling. Plan your set accordingly, keep transitions smooth, and stick to your time limit to ensure the event runs on schedule.
​
Shared gear may be available, but always check in advance and bring your own instruments, cables, and any essentials you need. Be ready for a quick setup and teardown to keep things moving.
​
Respect your fellow performers by being on time, prepared, and supportive. If you can’t make your slot, let us know ASAP. Keep it tight, have fun, and rock your set!
​
Insurance
Youth Performers will be automatically covered by KVFF's liability insurance for volunteers.​​
​
Good luck with your application!
​