Nottingham festival PR opportunities Checklist

Ask the festival which local and regional outlets they've already committed coverage to (BBC Introducing Nottingham, Nottingham Post, local radio). Knowing their secured coverage helps you avoid duplication and identify gaps you can fill with independent outreach.

Exact timing and stage placement affect which media crews will be present and which local press angle works best. If a stage is sponsored by a known brand, that's another potential PR hook (e.g., 'X Brewery Stage').

Festivals will use approved imagery for their announcements and social promotion. Provide 300dpi press-ready images and short video clips early; this ensures your artist is positioned prominently in their materials.

If your artist is premiering new material, this is a festival exclusive opportunity worth mentioning to the festival's press team. They may highlight it in their announcements, giving you a news peg for independent press outreach.

Propose a BBC Introducing Nottingham session, an interview with Nottingham Post, or a Nottingham Live feature that's unique to the region. Exclusivity drives coverage—offer a three-week window to one outlet before opening to others.

Festivals like Dot to Dot involve local venues and promoters beyond the main stage. Alert relevant promoters and venue managers that your artist is appearing so they can amplify within their own networks.

Generic mass-blast releases get deleted. Ring or email journalists you've built relationships with directly, reference their previous coverage, and explain why this story fits their beat.

Include confirmed slot times, stage name, and any co-performing or supporting acts. Journalists need these details verified before publishing, so get them locked in early.

Have a 50-word biography and a 150-word artist statement ready for press. These should emphasise Nottingham relevance, recent releases, or touring activity that contextualise the festival appearance.

Proactively schedule brief interview windows with key local and regional press before the artist performs. Even a 10-minute slot with BBC Radio Nottingham or Nottingham Post photographer can yield significant coverage.

Coach your artist on consistent talking points: upcoming releases, the significance of the festival, connections to Nottingham's scene, or how the performance fits their broader campaign. Consistency across interviews strengthens coverage narrative.

Monitor live tweets, festival hashtags, and real-time coverage. If significant press mentions appear during the performance, flag them and amplify through artist channels immediately after the set.

Photograph and video the artist's arrival, soundcheck, performance, and backstage moments. This content supports your own post-festival press and social narratives, giving you assets independent of festival coverage.

If the festival has an official photographer, request they capture specific moments or angles that work for your artist's brand. This increases odds of usable imagery appearing in press.

If a local journalist or broadcaster covered the artist at the festival, pitch an immediate follow-up interview—either reflecting on the performance or positioning next steps. Momentum is highest immediately after a successful festival slot.

Use the festival as a platform to announce new dates, releases, or collaborations. A post-festival press release timed to positive coverage amplifies the story and extends its news lifecycle.

A genuine shout-out to the festival and credit to journalists who covered the performance builds goodwill for future events. Tag journalists and festival accounts on social media.

Create a festival coverage summary highlighting press mentions, audience size, and media reach. This asset is invaluable for future booking pitches, grant applications, and industry credibility.

If the festival was well-covered, use it as a proof point when pitching the artist to national outlets or music publications. 'Performed at Dot to Dot' carries weight in music industry conversations.

Build an internal record of each festival's press contact, deadlines, media partnerships, and submission processes. This becomes a reference for future campaigns and other artists on your roster.

After the festival, ask the PR team which press outlets showed strongest interest, which missed opportunities emerged, and how your outreach compared to other artists. Use this insight to refine future festival strategies.

Don't disappear after the festival. Keep the organiser updated on the artist's progress, send them news of subsequent achievements, and express interest in future editions. Repeat festival appearances depend on relationship continuity.

Use success at one festival to pitch to similar-scale regional festivals. A strong Dot to Dot performance opens doors to other UK city festivals with similar positioning (e.g., Latitude, Bestival circuit).

Beyond the headline festivals, Nottingham has smaller satellite events (fringe shows, venue-hosted mini-festivals during main festival weekends). These often have lighter requirements and can generate grassroots coverage.

After each festival, review where your artist was positioned on the bill relative to competitor acts. This informs booking strategy and helps identify areas where you need stronger press positioning for the next opportunity.

Dot to Dot attracts national and regional press, BBC coverage, and a mixed student and adult demographic. Position artists as emerging or established depending on their growth stage; the festival values discovery but also celebrates established local acts.

Hockley Hustle emphasises local independent venues, emerging talent, and community music culture. Press positioning here should stress authenticity, grassroots roots, and indie credibility rather than commercial appeal.

Nottingham has festivals year-round (not just summer). Know the calendar: Hockley Hustle (May), Dot to Dot (May), plus smaller summer and autumn events. Plan artist campaigns around available festival slots.

Beyond the main festivals, independent promoters and venue managers in Nottingham organise emerging artist showcases and underground music events. These can provide performance opportunities and grassroots press coverage that feeds into festival eligibility.

Study which artists appear alongside your artist at the festival. Are they collaborators, competitors, or influences? This informs interview talking points and helps identify natural press angles (e.g., 'Three rising indie acts to watch at Dot to Dot').