The Gathering 2027 — Apply to Showcase (Ullapool, Scotland)

The Gathering is The Touring Network's annual showcase for performers who want direct access to promoters across the Highlands and Islands, held this year at the Macphail Centre in Ullapool on 19–20 March 2027. It's built for professional touring acts, not emerging artists testing the waters — the Network is looking for people who already tour, fit its programming policy, can commit to bookings from August 2027 through April 2029, and who pay fair fees to their own performers and crew.

There's no cash grant here; instead you get a 15-minute showcase slot (with a short intro and a five-minute pitch to the room), a fee of up to £800 that's negotiated rather than fixed, plus a festival pass, meals, green room access and technical support on the day. The real value is the room: your profile is shown to the whole promoter network, and selected acts get face-to-face time with the people who book venues across the region.

To apply, you need an up-to-date Tourbook profile (both Performer and Tour pages) and to work through the Showcase Guidelines document, which links to the application form itself. The Touring Network team selects acts against its programming policy; the deadline is 12pm on Friday 30 October 2026, with results by mid-December.