Why Are We Never on the Lineup?

You probably know the feeling. A new festival lineup drops. You scroll. You hope. But your name’s not there. Again.

It’s not like you haven’t been working. You’ve played shows. Released songs. Sent out emails. Spent your own money. Maybe even supported other acts, networked after gigs, did everything “right.”
And still – no spot. Not even a reply.

It hurts

It’s not just disappointment. It’s feeling shut out. Like there’s a party going on and everyone’s invited but you.
And it affects your motivation. Because how long can you keep putting time, energy, and heart into something no one seems to notice?

It’s not just about ego

It’s about opportunity. About being seen. Most of us aren’t trying to be superstars. We just want to be part of something. To be taken seriously. To matter.

So what now?

We keep going. But we also need to talk about this. About the silence. About how opaque bookings still are. And about creating new ways forward – together.

Beatnickel was born from that exact frustration. A place where musicians can find each other, build networks, and carve their own paths.
A place where you don’t have to wait to be picked. You can start something yourself.

Because it’s not about fame. It’s about being seen.