UPBEAT is the European showcase platform for world music. The 14 current members of the UPBEAT platform can draw support for booking up-and-coming bands, international artists, or even new collaborations. With UPBEAT’s help, members can meet their sustainability goals, organise professional events, conferences, and more. Our mission is to foster a forward-thinking and thriving world music industry in Europe.
Folkest Showcases for international emerging artists in the field of world music are a new section of the festival’s program. They will take place from July 4th to July 6th 2025 on the stages of San Daniele del Friuli, in the province of Udine.
10 European emerging artists will be selected by an international jury to participate in Folkest Showcases, during one of the most important Folk Festivals in Southern Europe.
The selected artists will be seen and heard by international agents, festival programmers, music curators and of course by our festival audience!
Promoting a forward-looking and thriving world music industry in Europe
Supports original language music from Europe, a continent with as many as 200 spoken languages, all unique and rich in culture. UPBEAT’s support extends to all music currently being created in Europe.
With UPBEAT, organizing events for industry professionals and stakeholders is easier and less expensive. World music experts based in Europe have a lot to offer: our networks need to be tighter and we look for business solutions at our fingertips. UPBEAT supports professional festival showcase events, from networking to in-depth conferences. The goal is simple: collaboration.
Focuses on emerging artists in the European world music sector. We make it much easier for our member festivals to book performances by new talent without having to worry about risk. We support festivals in incorporating emerging artists, international bands and collaborations into their programming.
supports European festivals and music communities in achieving their sustainability goals. There is no future without music, and there is no music without a plan to make it more sustainable than it is now.
They will also have the chance to get feedback from industry professionals, to expand their network of contacts, and to be hired for future shows and participate in Folkclinic.
Folkest Festival is a member of UPBEAT- the European Showcase Platform for World Music. Our Showcases program is supported by UPBEAT, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and the Municipality of San Daniele del Friuli (Udine).
