Musician Information

About The Event

CBUS Soul^® Fest, presented by Columbus Recreation and Parks, will take place Sept. 4-5, 2026, in downtown Columbus, Ohio. This FREE festival draws over 20,000 attendees.

Application Information

2026 Musician Application is closed.

We seek established musicians and DJs performing music with roots in soul, funk, gospel, R&B and hip-hop/rap. Priority is placed on dynamic live performances and musical excellence. Strong marketing materials are required. We encourage you to provide links to videos showcasing your group in a live performance setting, along with recent music samples.

Prior to applying, please consider the following information:

• Set lengths are 60-90 minutes.
• Artists who apply through our application process and are offered a performance opportunity will receive payment based on length of performance and the number of performers in group.
• A limited number of headliner and sub-headliner spots are available annually by invitation and the terms of these contracts are negotiated independently.
• Sound, lighting and general backline will be provided for all artists.
• CBUS Soul^® Fest does not cover transportation or accommodation expenses for local or regional artists.
• Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance will be sent by email to all applicants. Incomplete applications may not be accepted.