The festival and conference will spotlight Portugal's vibrant history and venues, focusing on diverse intercontinental communities. Image credit: Shutterstock.
Following the success of its 2025 debut, SQUARE, the artist-led showcase and exchange platform returns to northern Portugal for its second edition from 27–30 January 2027.
British and European artists are invited to submit proposals to perform at the showcase to an international audience of agents, programmers, promoters and members of the public.
An alternative to conventional showcase formats
Centred in Braga, with additional programming in Famalicão, Guimarães and Viana do Castelo, the festival aims to strengthen connections between musical communities across the Atlantic.
It offers an alternative to conventional showcase formats, with a focus on independent artists, grassroots networks and underrepresented regions, encouraging exchange across geographies, languages and creative practices.
The 2027 edition will continue to prioritise collaboration across local, national and international contexts, working with a network of programming partners who will contribute to the artistic and professional development of the programme. Partner organisations for this edition will be announced in the coming weeks.
Eligibility criteria and how to apply
The open call welcomes all genres, formats and languages from artists who live and work in territories connected by the Atlantic (Europe, Africa, and the Americas).
Selected artists will receive:
- A €750 performance fee plus meals and accommodation (for artists residing more than 60km from the festival)
- Full technical support and shared backline
- Promotional support and access to media contacts
- 2 PRO passes per project for artist representatives
Full information on the application process and eligibility criteria can be found on the festival's official website.
Submissions close on Saturday 15 August at 11:59pm (GMT+1). Applications will be reviewed by the event’s programming tea in collaboration with the festival's programming partners.
Successful applicants will be notified at the end of August, with the selected line-up announced publicly in September.
Please write to opencall@squarefestival.pt with any further questions you may have.