OCEAN BEACH, Calif. (KGTV) - A weekend long music festival promises fans a chance to see up and coming bands, while giving musicians key access to movers and shakers in the industry.
The Springboard West Music Festival is now in its third year in Ocean Beach.
The event brings 50 aspiring bands to town, chosen from a field of around 3,500 applicants.
The bands get two days of hands on workshops from industry experts, learning about everything from song writing to the business end of making music.
"We're artists, so we struggle with that, the business aspect of it," says John Martinez, the drummer for the band The Frets. They were part of the festival in 2018, added at the last minute to bring another local band into the line-up.
The Frets made the most of the opportunity. During the festival, they met with 5-time Grammy Nominee Billy Smiley. He invited the band to Nashville to help them record their debut album.
They've since released two singles and a music video.
"We definitely wouldn't be where we are now if not for this festival," says Frets guitarist Cody Seeger.
Now The Frets are back at the festival, this time as one of the headlining acts.
In addition to the workshops, the bands perform as part of a day long concert in Ocean Beach on Saturday. Five venues host the shows, which last from noon until around 2 am.
"I think it's unique in the fact that they receive education and a chance to perform," says Springboard West Music Festival Director of Partnerships Heather Hudson. "By the time they hit Saturday, they're excited. That energy is just oozing off of them and it translates to the crowd."
Tickets to the concert are $20. Details about the concert venues and participating bands can be found on the Springboard West website.
