Local musicians are being given a direct route onto one of Hartlepool’s festival stages through Headland FolkFest’s Rising Stars competition.
The competition takes place on Saturday 12 September and is open across three categories: solo performers, duos and groups or bands of three or more. Organisers are looking for performers working in folk, country or indie styles.
The prize is unusually practical. Rather than another certificate destined for a drawer, the winner gets the chance to perform on the main stage at this year’s Headland FolkFest.
That festival runs from 2 to 4 October around Hartlepool Headland, with the Rising Stars event forming part of the organiser’s wider programme of activity across 2026.
The competition is open to all ages, and Headland FolkFest is also encouraging people to come along simply to watch and support the performers. For emerging musicians, particularly those still building experience in front of an audience, that kind of local stage time can be worth far more than the size of the room .
: Competition information comes directly from Headland FolkFest Hartlepool. The wider October festival is also listed through Hartlepool’s official cultural box office.