About The Event

Presented by Columbus Recreation and Parks, CBUS Soul^® Fest features live music, great food and lots of soul!

The festival will occur Sept. 4-5, 2026, in downtown Columbus, Ohio. 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.

Important Information

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.