Artists, educators, builders, engineers, software creators, researchers, community organizers. If you have something to teach, demonstrate, or perform that will resonate with people who care deeply about electronic sound, you're a candidate.
From daytime listening sets to late-night concert & party performances, NAESE features artists who have something to say and formats designed for genuine listening.
The emphasis is on intentional sound and strong presentation, eschewing genre and embracing all electronic sounds that fit the bill. We want to hear your unique voice, your thoughtful approach, and your compelling performance.
Every performance at NAESE happens live, in person, and electronic at its core. Live: performed in real time, not a finished track on playback. In person: on our stage, in the room, in front of an audience. Electronic: the full spectrum of electronic sound — hardware, software, modular, hybrid. If that's your work, you're exactly who we're looking for.
You don't need to be famous. You need to be thoughtful and prepared. Strong proposals describe what attendees will hear, what your setup looks like, and what makes the performance different from a generic gig. Performance examples (links to videos of recent, live & in-person sets) are required.
NAESE prioritizes sessions that are practical, well-scoped, and genuinely useful.
If people leave smarter, more curious, or more capable than when they arrived, it fits. Less keynote energy, more workbench energy. Tear down the gates and release your arcane knowledge!
Hands-on sessions are welcome. If participants will be doing something actively, the proposal should clearly describe what attendees will do, what they need to bring, and what will be provided. Strong workshops have a defined outcome — "by the end of this hour, you'll have built / patched / programmed X."
Apply through your NAESE HQ Dashboard. Already have a NAESE account? Sign in to NAESE HQ and you can begin your performance & speaking application from there. New to NAESE? The application sets up your account as you go, and prompts you to log in if your email is already registered. One application covers performance, talk, panel, workshop, demo, or any combination.
You don't need to buy a badge to apply. Selected performers and speakers have their badge comped.
Programming is curated. Proposals are reviewed for fit, clarity, quality, and how they contribute to the overall balance of the program. Clear, well-scoped proposals stand out. Applying to perform doesn't disqualify you from also applying to exhibit, and vice versa — programming and exhibitor selection are evaluated separately.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. You'll be notified about your application closer to NAESE. For questions, contact hello@naese.co.
On-site technical support through our A/V provider, Mills James, will be available for programmed sessions and performances within venue and production limits. Clear technical requirements submitted in advance help everything run smoothly.
Additional benefits may include: Travel and lodging support, compensation, and recording / streaming, varying by role and format. Specifics are detailed in the offer letter when you're selected.
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