The Philadelphia Music Co-op offers artist showcase, networking, promotion, gig booking, and distribution opportunities. The Co-op employs cooperative values of shared ownership and a holistic approach to help artists help themselves. At PFS, we have developed relationships and frequent contact with area promoters, press, media, and venue talent buyers, which we leverage for the Co-op members. Co-op artists are immediately given weighted consideration for programs that PFS directly produces. Collectively, nearly 30 spots per year are reserved for programs including the Philadelphia Folk Festival; a season of monthly concerts, workshops and house concerts; and the Odyssey of American Music education program to name a few. Additionally, PFS is on-hand to offer contacts in many facets of the music business, including press contacts, venue managers, booking agents, managers, licensing reps, label execs, and many more.
It all starts with a consultation with the PFS staff, available to each artist member upon registration (or annually thereafter). During this consult, PFS gets information on your history and project vision, and determines potential areas of growth through the co-op. PFS staff is always available to co-op artists by email or phone to discuss possible opportunities, special project interests, and creative partnerships.
The Philadelphia Music Co-op is everything a membership organization designed to support local music should be. As a New York based band leader and a venue booking agent, I have found my membership to be invaluable. So far, my band, Spuyten Duyvil, has received a sponsorship, a showcase and great placement at the storied Philadelphia Folk Festival. As a venue booking agent, I have booked two Philly Co-op bands for a very successful New York mini tour with plans for more cross border collaborations. On top of this, I have met the most amazing people and feel ‘hooked up’ when I come into town.
UrbanH20 Owner & Spuyten Duyvil bandleader
The Philadelphia Music Co-op has over 50 members who benefit from development opportunities in the following areas (and more!):
Do you want to record a CD or press a vinyl record?
Need an organization to partner on or produce your CD release show?
Would you like an opportunity to network with the most influential music executives and artists in Philadelphia?
Do you want to record a CD or press a vinyl record?
Hoping for more support during and opportunities for sponsorship to regional and national conferences?
Recurring PFS Opportunites
Philly Music Co-op artists are immediately given weighted consideration for programs that PFS directly produces. Collectively, nearly 30 spots per year are reserved for programs including the Philadelphia Folk Festival; a season of monthly concerts, workshops and house concerts; and the Odyssey of American Music education program to name a few.
PFS provides Co-op artists that participate in these programs with directly some accompanying benefits, and these could include press associated with the respective event, radio interviews and play, TV interviews, promo and advertising, cd reviews, and licensing opportunities.
Networking, Contacts, Sponsorship, and Conferences
At PFS, we have partners that help us produce the Philadelphia Folk Festival and our recurring programs. In addition, we have contact with most area venues and talent buyers, entertainment lawyers, management and PR companies, licensing representatives, festival managers, craftspeople and artisans, and event vendors. We will host an annual meeting for co-op artists to meet each other and top Philly music industry leaders.
The PFS staff attends various conferences annually including the Folk Alliance International Conference, Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference, APAP and many more national conferences intermittently. Any Co-op artist formally participating in a conference PFS is attending is given opportunity to present at feature showcases.
Additionally, PFS is on-hand to offer contacts in many facets of the music business, including press contacts, venue managers, booking agents, managers, licensing reps, label execs, and many more.
Tons of Other Benefits – from discounted Marketing to Recording Studio Time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia Music Co-op FAQs
How are Co-op artists considered for events?
While spots are reserved and special consideration is given for Philadelphia Music Co-op, artists are directly programmed by a jury who reviews web links provided by Co-op members at the time of their membership activation or renewal. Make sure PFS is up to date on your latest CD, project, media, press, and web presence. Artists are booked at direct PFS events based on quality of craft or songwriting, cohesion with PFS mission, crowd draw and response, quality of performance media and press attention. This year PFS began holding showcasing directly designed to link the Co-op jury with artists’ live performances. We are planning more of these, as they provide an opportunity for artists to meet other Co-op members and music executive, as well as to showcase their work in a concert setting.
For the Philadelphia Folk Festival:
Any artists can submit through Sonicbids at this link. Co-op artists can submit through Sonicbids for free using codes provided by Justin Nordell, by emailing jnordell@pfs.org. If you do not have Sonicbids, please also email Justin during the jurying process.
For our season of events, Odyssey of American Music, workshops, and house concerts:
For some events, PFS will provide a submission link. When applicable, an email will be sent to all current artists in the Co-op detailing the process for submission. We strive to notify our artists for consideration two to three months before the program.
When will I learn if I have been accepted to perform at the Philadelphia Folk Festival or other events?
Artist selection for the Philadelphia Folk Festival happens after April of each year for the upcoming Festival (third weekend in August). Some are announced at the time of initial lineup release, but there are other spots that are announced after this up until the time of the Festival.
Artist selection for the PFS season typically happens between August and September for the season running October to June (of the following year).
Who are some of the partners and venues who have booked Co-op artists?
National Constitution Center, Spring Gulch Folk Fest, Underground Arts, Keswick TheatreGunner’s Run, Colonial Theatre, Kung Fu Necktie, Yards Brewing Company, Free Library of Philadelphia, World Cafe Live, Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (Kimmel), REI, Milkboy Philly, Milkboy, Ardmore, Milkboy Bryn Mawr, Community College of Philadelphia, Tin Angel, Triumph Brewery and more. The list is always growing.
How can I be more involved as a Co-op artist?
PFS is currently brainstorming an artist “task force” made up of active Co-op members who are interested in brainstorming new initiatives and benefits for the Co-op. If you are interested in this level of participation, contact us at
Why is their a fee for membership?
Expenses include venue and production rental fees, food and hospitality costs, and web and promo costs. And don’t forget artist fees. The Co-op often turns around a gig or two quickly to give your membership fee back to you in the form of a concert payment. While much of the budget is provided by the overall PFS budget, member dues are important for sustaining and growing artist benefits.
Is the membership fee one time?
This is an annual fee. We consider this another sign of artists continued support in the Co-op. Artists must keep their membership active to be considered for programs. While we may offer a “grace period” in special exceptions, active membership is important for receiving continued benefits.
january, 2020
