The San Basilio Waterfront Music Fest Is Back on 2 October: Apply Now to Perform on Our Stage!

The San Basilio Waterfront Music Fest is back for its fifth edition! The biggest music celebration on the Venice waterfront, which brings the area between Magazzino 5 and Magazzino 6 to life, returns on Friday 2 October 2026. Want to perform on our stage? Apply by 24 August and let us hear your music!

The San Basilio Waterfront Music Fest is organised by Ca' Foscari University of Venice in partnership with the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority – Ports of Venice and Chioggia, with the aim of giving emerging student musicians studying in Venice the opportunity to perform.
Over the past four editions, a wide range of musical projects have taken to the stage, performing original music in front of hundreds of people. This year, you could be one of them!
 

How does the San Basilio Waterfront Music Fest work?

The evening will feature three student musical projects (bands or singer-songwriters) performing live, followed by a DJ set by Hard Rock Cafe Venice.
Each performance will last 30 minutes and must consist mainly of original music. There is just one exception: the selected acts will also be asked to perform their own interpretation of a song inspired by the sea.
All practical information will be shared with the selected acts a few weeks before the event.
 

Who can apply?

For solo performances, applicants must be currently enrolled at one of the Venetian universities (Ca' Foscari University of Venice, IUAV University of Venice, Benedetto Marcello Conservatory, Venice Academy of Fine Arts, European Institute of Design (IED - Venice branch), Salesian University Institute of Venice and Verona (IUSVE - Venice branch), etc.).
For bands, at least one member must be currently enrolled at one of the Venetian universities (not necessarily Ca' Foscari). Enrolment must be valid at the time of application.
Applicants who applied in previous editions but were not selected may apply again. Applications are welcome from all genres and line-ups, provided they perform original live music. We want to give every musician the opportunity to showcase their creativity.
 

How do I apply?

Full details are available in the call for applications, which you can find on the event page at unive.it/musicfest. Please read it carefully before submitting your application.
As part of your application, you will need to submit:

• three recordings of your original songs;
• a video of a live performance, which does not need to be professionally produced.

These materials will help us assess your application as accurately as possible. A selection panel made up of members of the University's Communications and Promotion Office will choose the projects best suited to the event.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact musicfest@unive.it.