For Musicians
Made music nobody is paying you to make? You are who we built this for.
ZAOstock is a one-day outdoor festival in Ellsworth Maine on October 3, 2026. Every artist on stage was discovered through The ZAO, a community of 100+ independent musicians who actually support each other's work.
The facts
What is settled, and what is not.
- Date
- Saturday 3 October 2026, music from noon
- Where
- Franklin Street Parklet, Ellsworth, Maine; Black Moon Public House next door from six
- Soundcheck
- Friday 2 October, artists only
- Set length
- Settled with you when your slot is
- Pay
- Not pay-to-play. Independent and ZAO-vetted only
What you get
If you plug in
- 01A real stage in front of a real audience, on Franklin Street and on the livestream.
- 02A recording of your set and photos from the day, included in the recap reel.
- 03A direct line into the ZAO music community - 100+ people who already care about independent artists.
What we ask
In return
- 01A set window. The length is settled with you when your slot is.
- 02Standard technical rider - we will work with what you need.
- 03Soundcheck night is Friday 2 October. Be there.
- 04Help share when we post your slot. We do the heavy lift on socials, you amplify.
How to plug in
Pick a door.
For visual artists
Posters, motion, signage.
See the doorFor organizers
Host the next one in 2027.
See the doorIndependent and ZAO-vetted only. This is not a pay-to-play festival.
Questions: info@thezao.com. ZAOstock is one chapter in the ZAO Festivals series: ZAO-PALOOZA, ZAO-CHELLA, ZAOville.