Jazzahead! 2026 is now open for applications, with the deadline on October 8, 2025.

Jazzahead! is the largest jazz conference in Europe, often referred to as “The Family Reunion of Jazz.” It brings together musicians, record labels, marketing agencies, festival representatives, booking agents, radio stations, and all kinds of jazz enthusiasts.

Around 20,000 guests attend the festival each year, including about 3,500 professionals, and the event features roughly 200 concerts. The concert program of the conference presents well-known names from the jazz scene alongside emerging artists.

This year, the professional festival and conference will be held from April 23–25, in Bremen, Germany, and applications are already open.

Further information about the festival and the application process can be found here >>

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Showcase festivals differ from traditional music festivals in that a large proportion of the audience consists of professionals from the music industry. When well executed, they can serve as a springboard into the international music market. Such festivals are an important part of exporting Icelandic music.

If the aim is to present a music project at a showcase festival, it is important to carefully study the policy of each festival and set clear goals for participation. It is also essential that the music project is export ready.