If you’re looking into how to sell music, online or off, few activities can get you more exposure than music festivals. Even though summer is traditionally the time for music fests, there are plenty of great opportunities in the fall as well. After all, it’s one of the most pleasant times of the year weather-wise.

Here are a few fall indie fests that should be on your radar, whether you can make it on the roster this year or not. (And keep in mind, there are always last-minute substitutions…)

How To Sell Music: Fall Indie Festivals Worth Checking Out

1 – Austin City Limits

Austin, TX is well known as a hub for both indie music and film, and while its annual SXSW fest gets most of the attention, don’t overlook Austin City Limits!  The festival this year runs on both Oct 3-5 and 10-12, with headliners including The Cure, Depeche Mode, Phoenix, and Vampire Weekend.

Temperatures in Texas this time of year are usually moderate, and you’re sure to find a chill and laid-back crowd that just wants good music.

2 – CMJ Marathon

If you’re into country, western, folk, or any derivative genre, you need to find a way to get to CMJ in New York City. This aptly named “marathon” lasts a full workweek from Oct. 21-25.  It highlights the newest and most interesting acts on the country scene, along with various other activities like panel talks.

CMJ doesn’t line up big names; they focus on the up-and-comers. This makes it a huge deal for indie country artists.

3 – Voodoo Music Festival

The Big Easy also has a great music festival, running from Halloween to November 2nd. The acts here tend to be bigger, with headliners like The Cure and Nine Inch Nails, but it also features well-established younger acts like Paramour and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

This is a fall fest that strives to have lineups that rival the best summer fests!

Festivals Get You Seen!

It’s really that simple – if you can get onstage at a music fest, you’ll get huge exposure. Start making those contacts!