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Located in the Heart of the Highlands in West Milford, NJ, the former “Warner Bro.’s Jungle Habitat” property located within Ringwood State Park provides the Autumn Lights Festival with an expansive park-like environment to bring out the best West Milford offers. Just steps from public transportation, shops, bars/restaurants and several historic and contemporary AirBnB’s, Jungle Habitat and downtown West Milford, NJ come alive when transformed into an oasis of energy, activity, sound, and color by ALF. Housing several artists on the main stage, the Jungle Habitat grounds provide plenty of room to roam, take in local artist installations, check out vendor booths, grab a bite to eat, or simply relax and enjoy the show.
Autumn Lights Festival Showcase Application
Festival Showcasing Artists can take advantage of career-changing showcase opportunities and unprecedented access to the amazing mix of influential industry participants who attend ALF every year.
Please take a minute to refer to the Music Showcase FAQ for answers to common questions, including the 2025 Artist Payment and Badge policy.
Important details:
- One official ALF showcase performance is guaranteed per invited/approved act.
- Showcase slots run an average of 90-120 minutes (some exceptions may apply).
- Showcases will take place between September 26-28, 2025.
- ALF does not cover artist travel or accommodation expenses unless otherwise agreed upon.
- All showcases will have a backline provided.
- Official ALF Artist Registration Packages include one additional "ALF Artist" Badge for the artist's manager.
- ALF does NOT provide additional VIP badges for children. (VIP is 21+ Only)
Music Showcase Applications are open to:
All music genres
Artists from around the world
Signed and unsigned artists
Additional Details:
- If invited, showcasing artists will receive an Official ALF Artist Registration Package, consisting of ALF Artist Badges for each band member and one manager. The ALF Artist Badge is a full VIP Badge that provides each performer with the same access as a paid ALF VIP Badge, plus unique artist-only benefits. You will have primary access to official ALF performances, reserved hotel blocks if applicable, parties, artist-specific activations, networking opportunities, and more (unless otherwise noted).
- Domestic, U.S. acts can choose to receive monetary compensation ($375.00 total for full bands consisting of three or more performers or $175.00 total for a solo/duo act) in lieu of the Official ALF Artist Registration Package. Payment is a one-time direct deposit for the act, not per member. Combinations are not permitted.
- One official ALF performance is guaranteed per invited act.
- Artists who are not U.S. residents are responsible for securing any necessary visas for entry into the United States. See our International Artists FAQ for more details.
- All SXSW showcasing artists must agree to the SXSW Exclusivity Policy, which includes the following points:
- Radius Clause: Most festivals have a radius clause that restricts an artist from performing within a certain radius of their event during a specific time frame (typically weeks to months) before and after it takes place. ALF has a far more equitable exclusivity clause that allows for more opportunity to perform during the event, with one main exception: Official artists may not perform any unofficial/non-ALF shows between the hours of 12pm and 2am EST (the “exclusivity window”) during festival dates. This requirement is in place specifically to protect official ALF venues and artists, and to ensure the success of official showcases.
- While daytime/afterhours performances outside of the 12pm-2am showcase hours are generally not an issue, participation in events that ALF deems to be a conflict and/or adversely affect ALF is also not allowed.
- Please note, artists who enter the U.S. with a non-work visa (such as a B Visa or via ESTA/Visa Waiver Program) are legally restricted to showcasing only at official ALF events while in the country, whether the performance is paid or not.
- Invited Artists will not take actions that undermine the success or inhibit attendance of their official ALF showcase, including accepting invitations for an excessive number of non-ALF shows. Such actions negatively impact ALF artist performances, showcase attendance, and the overall quality of showcases.
- Radius Clause: Most festivals have a radius clause that restricts an artist from performing within a certain radius of their event during a specific time frame (typically weeks to months) before and after it takes place. ALF has a far more equitable exclusivity clause that allows for more opportunity to perform during the event, with one main exception: Official artists may not perform any unofficial/non-ALF shows between the hours of 12pm and 2am EST (the “exclusivity window”) during festival dates. This requirement is in place specifically to protect official ALF venues and artists, and to ensure the success of official showcases.
Please note:
- Important: The person listed as Primary Contact in the application should be someone authorized to respond on behalf of the applying artist/performer and who frequently checks their email. Notifications from ALF are sent to the Primary Contact's email address and require a timely response.
- Invited artists do not need to purchase a ALF credential to apply for, or take part in, an ALF showcase. Artists who are not invited to showcase are able to purchase ALF VIP credentials at a discounted rate after notification of status, if they still wish to attend. There are no refunds if you've previously purchased a credential at a higher rate, or if you decide not to attend if you are not offered a showcase.
- Within 48 hours of applying you will receive a confirmation email from ALF. If you do not receive notification within 48 hours, please follow up by email to ensure your showcase application has been submitted properly and is under consideration.
- To keep important ALF emails from landing in your spam folder, we suggest you add the following address to your contact list: talent@festivalworksusa.com.
Please provide the information below to apply for an Autumn Lights Festival Showcase. ALF will review your application, and you will be notified of your invitation status on or before June 30, 2025.
