Why is this an unpaid gig?

• We respect a performer's decision to play or not to play for free.  
• The festival's core purpose is to allow musicians of differing styles a high-quality environment to showcase their music and network with other musicians.
• We aim to attract as many people as possible to help facilitate the artists to reach and sell their "Media and Merch" (charging no commission).
• The small amount of money we currently raise through donations and grants goes directly into covering the costs of staging the festival (hire of facilities, equipment, materials, promotion, consumables, subscriptions, insurance and providers that we cannot find sponsors for).
• If you or someone you know can help fund payment of 100 to 120 acts (about 400 performers) on average, we would love to hear from you.
• The Basin Music Festival is wholly run by volunteers, working year-round to provide opportunities for musicians to perform and communities to connect.

Why isn't the Program Schedule published yet?

• We work to publish a preliminary version of the program about a month before the event.
• With the large number of performers and groups, the festival schedule is constantly changing to accommodate hundreds of musicians' own schedules. 
• Closer to the festival date, the schedule becomes more stable and we publish it. If you have a scheduling question, contact us.

When will a performer know if they are booked to play?

• Key dates are provided to you in the musicians application form. If you find errors please let us know.
  
• If you are booked, you have received a confirmation email (no? check Spam folder?), it should have a live link to your updated schedule. Save that email. You will need to refer back to that link.
• We would need to know asap if you can no longer play so we can slot in a replacement.

My band is booked to play the festival. Is there a back-line?

Lost & Found: My band left some equipment behind. I attended the festival and I lost an item.

• Our tight schedule means quick change-overs between bands. You will not forget to take your guitar home, but how about that cable, the capo, the stick bag, the effects pedal? Label your stuff. Name and phone.
• Contact us if you left something on stage. It may be in our Lost & Found box. 
• Whether or not you were a performer, we may have your hoodie. Get in touch.

Getting there -- and "Where can I park my car?"

• Parking is not as convenient as we'd like it to be. Arrive early, especially if you are a scheduled performer (you would have received a detailed email with info).
• Weather permitting, performers and volunteers can park in the designated lawn area on the southern part of the park. Note there is a tree-protection no-parking zone in this area. 
• Public off-street parking: There is a small lot (20 spaces) just north of the roundabout, and about 100 spaces at St. Bernadette's school, a 5-10-minute walk down the road (don't be daunted, it's a nice walk).
• Almost all street parking is in residential areas, and some of those streets have temporary no-parking zones. Please be considerate, follow instructions on signs, drive slowly, don't block driveways, don't leave rubbish, be quiet. Be nice. And, before you go back to your car, use the toilets in the park or the indoor venues. Thanks for your kind support.
• Musicians, volunteers and guests: Please DO NOT park in front of the shops on Mountain Highway. Those spaces are for local residents who are shopping briefly. The spaces are 30-minute or 2-hour limit, and Council parking enforcement is active at the festival. Support the shops that support the community. Please do not park at the shops.
• Musicians can unload vehicles close to your gig stage if you have any bulky/heavy gear, and then park it elsewhere. Hand trolleys are available.
  
• Finally, there's convenient public transport, with two bus stops (Route 755) serving the festival, and plenty of bicycle parking opportunities.

Where do the festival's artists typically come from?

• Most of the performers are from the local area, within a 10 km radius of The Basin, but they come from all over the Melbourne region. For a wider view, here's a Google map showing locations of artists who performed in 2025.