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HIGH SIERRA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026

:: ARTIST ADVANCE ::

We look forward to working with you in preparation for the 34th annual High Sierra Music Festival, July 2-5 in Grass Valley, CA! Please take some time to read through and fill out the following ASAP. Doing so will make your time at the festival flow smoothly. We’ll be reaching out to each of you with additional details that are specific to you. Thanks!
Joy Steffen/Seth Brown Co-Production Managers joy@highsierramusic.com
203-417-8458 -Joy mobile
Steve Soesbe Artist Relations Manager steve@highsierramusic.com
707.494.6692 -Steve mobile

ARTIST CONTACT INFO

Artist Name:

Artist Business Name (if different from above):

Artist Business Mailing Address:

Artist Tax ID #:

Tour Manager Name:

TM Email

TM Phone:

Production Manager Name(if applicable):

Production Manager Phone:

SETTLEMENT

Production Manager Email:

If Applicable, Do You Wish To Be Paid In Cash or By Check?

If Applicable, Do You Wish To Be Paid In Cash or By Check?
A
B

Please upload your W-9. We need this before we can pay you. You will need to provide it at settlement if you don't provide it in advance.

🚨 TAXES 🚨

California requires us to withhold 7% of your guarantee if you are a "non-resident entertainer" making over $1500, which we then remit to the state. Everything you need to know about this is here.

If you (or your biz) are a CA resident: Your W9 is not sufficient proof of residency to exempt you from withholding. We need you to fill out Form 590. Once we have that in hand, we can pay you the full balance due without any withholding. You are encouraged to send form 590 to me in advance so we don't have to do this at the festival, but we'll have blank forms for you to fill out there as well. If you choose to send in advance, the withholding agent name (first box) is "High Sierra Music Festival, LLC".

If you, or your biz, are not based in CA: We have to withhold 7% of the guarantee for nonresidents unless you have an approved waiver or reduction notice sent to you by the CA tax board. Applying for a reduction or waiver isn't sufficient, we need the approval letter.

If you're international: For artists based in another country, we have to withhold 30% for the IRS, and the 7% for California, a total of 37% of your guarantee. If you are exempt from this, please let Steve know and send him the paperwork

PRODUCTION

SET TIMES & PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Stage Schedules: https://www.highsierramusic.com/schedule
Download the Festival Map: https://www.highsierramusic.com/festival-map
Download Stage and Audio Specs for All Stages: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AOtFQYjr1Sry_C-nPbzWZ-vF6DwsrdMq6fl3HlkJHpI/preview?format=pdf&tab=t.0

Unless otherwise contracted, Backline is at artist's expense. Backline cost will be deducted at settlement. 

NOTE: SHARED BACKLINE is available at no additional charge as outlined in the Tech Pack.

Are you expecting the festival to provide backline? This includes use of shared backline.

Are you expecting the festival to provide backline? This includes use of shared backline.
A
B

Do You Need Risers

Do You Need Risers
A
B

Are you carrying any production that we need to be aware of? Specify equipment & personnel.

Please upload your most current stage plot and input list here. If you're contracted backline, please attach requests here.

Have an additional file to upload?

Have another file to upload?

DIRECTIONS / GROUND TRANSPORTATION / ARRIVAL

If you are flying, Sacramento is the closest airport, followed by Reno, then Oakland/SFO.

High Sierra does not provide ground transportation from any airports. We do provide local shuttling (hotel-venue) once you are in Grass Valley. If you are looking for a ride to/from the festival to Sacramento or another airport, your best option is to rent a car.

The festival opens at 8 am on Thursday. DO NOT SHOW UP ON WEDNESDAY, you will not be allowed in, and there will be no lodging available to you in town. The only exceptions to this are bands who are playing before 5 pm on Thursday, Artists-at-Large, and special requests only.

Once in Grass Valley:

The fairgrounds are located at 11228 McCourtney Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95949. Clicking this link will load up driving directions to the side of the fairgrounds at Gate 2, where Artist Check-In is located. A greeter will meet you and contact your artist liaison, who will have your credentials. ONLY artists and working crew may check in at artist check-in!!

What Day Do You Plan to ARRIVE at the Festival?

What Time Do You Plan to ARRIVE?

What Day Do You Plan to DEPART the Festival?

What Time Do You Plan to DEPART?

Is This a Fly Date For You?

Is This a Fly Date For You?
A
B

VEHICLES

Parking space is limited on the fairgrounds. You will receive 2 on-site parking passes. Additional vehicles will be parked in the main parking area near site (with shuttle service).
:: Please plan to carpool and/or consolidate gear ::

What type and how many vehicles are you traveling in?

If you are traveling in a bus, RV, or pulling a trailer, list total length:

LOCAL GROUND TRANSPORT

If you can give a general ballpark idea of transpo needs, it’s very helpful for us to have this info in advance. Your artist liaison will be able to arrange specifics once you are on site.

If you need rides once in Grass Valley, we need to know:

-Day
-Approximate Time
-Number of people
-Any gear
-To/From where in Grass Valley/Nevada City

CAMPING

Artist camping space is limited and will be reserved for you in advance. Please respect that this space is for bands/crews only. You are limited to two vehicles in the camping area unless one of them is oversized, in which case you will most likely be limited to one depending on how many artists need camping space. Camping is in a flat opern grassy area with some shade, water, and power. No RV pumping service is available. This is a new site, so please be flexible with our team as we optimize the fairgrounds for camping.

If you need space in the artist camping area, for how many people and what type of vehicle do you need camping space?

BAND & CREW DETAILS

How many people total in your band and crew?

Please list all of your band and legit working crew names, first and last, and roles. ex. "John Smith - Guitar"

Are there any dietary requirements that you’d like us to be aware of? Please note any serious allergies!

HOSPITALITY & CATERING

All meals are served in the Ponderosa Hall, near Gate 2. The meal tickets you will be given are for a specific meal and can only be redeemed for that meal. Lunch will be from approximately 12-2pm, and dinner will be from approximately 6:30-8:30pm. The meal you will be given is determined by your set time. Talk to your Artist Liaison if there is a conflict or special request. Snacks, drinks, and coffee/tea will be available backstage at all stages.
Hospitality is festival-style and full rider fulfillment is not possible.

DRESSING ROOMS

Grandstand Stage: A general hospitality tent and individual dressing room trailers will be assigned on your show day. We'll do our best to have a room ready when you arrive, but with more acts than dressing rooms, assignments are scheduled and may not be available for very early arrivals.
Far Out Amphitheater: individual dressing room tent, one general hospitality tent
Vaudeville Stage: individual dressing room tent, one general hospitality tent
High Sierra Music Hall daytime (Playshops): general hospitality backstage, small dressing room
High Sierra Music Hall nighttime (late night): one small, private dressing room for each artist on the bill and general hospitality backstage
Tall Pines Stage one “artist only” tent, one general hospitality tent
Ponderosa Hall (late night Troubadour Sessions): one shared backstage/hospitality area

MERCH

If you intend to sell merch at High Sierra, please sign and return this merch agreement.
HSMF staff will help artists load in, check-in, display, and sell selected items. Once your merchandise is in the tent and checked in, NO merchandise may be removed under any circumstances. Please set some merchandise aside for comps before it is checked in.
The merch split is 75/25 on all merch, including music after 7.5% local tax.
Artists are limited to 2 Music titles (CD, Vinyls) and 1 clothing item. We will remain flexible if sales are strong or you are planning on having an autograph session. You can check on your merch and add more music titles if those checked in have sold. Posters or photos will not be accepted as one of your merch items.
Questions? Contact HSMF Artist Merchandise Coordinators Lisa Stutey or Alex Goossen, hsmfmerch@gmail.com.

Anything else you want to tell us?