Hello Musicians!
Now that summer is beginning to creep in, we’re all starting to feel the tinges of excitement and adrenaline that have been lying dormant in our bloodstreams until now.
We’re less than a few months away from the Burn!!
But there’s still some business to attend to. Namely, completing your application process for the Ambient Musicians. A lot of you have done this already, and if you have, rest assured that your forms and audition videos are currently being reviewed — we thank you for your efforts!
Whether this will be your first Burn, or whether you’re a veteran Ambient Musician of many years, please be aware that in order to join the Ambient Musicians and perform with the Fire Conclave you’ll need to complete the application form ***AND*** submit your audition video.
Deadline: July 1, 2025 at midnight
So Let’s Recap the Video Submission Process for 2025…
For newcomers or those not familiar with the process, here’s what we need…
Record an audition video:
- Post it somewhere on the web where we can view it. YouTube works best, as long as the video isn’t set to private (it can be public, published or unlisted). Vimeo, Bitchute, etc. also work, but YT makes it easy.
- Videos must be current and recorded specifically for this purpose. Sorry, but recordings or excerpts of past years’ videos or other performances will not be considered.
- Video submissions must be unedited.
- Don’t sweat the quality! As long as we can see and hear you play, it’ll work. 99% of all video submissions are recorded with a phone camera.
- You can play solo, or with others in your video. Just make it clear who you are!
Requirements for the audition video:
- Perform at least three different rhythms, each for at least one minute. This will show your ability to hold a beat, stay in time, and transition.
- Any style, rhythm or music is acceptable. We just want to see what you’re capable of.
- Please perform with the instrument(s) you’ll be playing on playa. Any instrument is acceptable, so long as you can carry and play it comfortably. Due to safety reasons (which will be explained later), all instruments must be carried on Burn Night.
Fill out the form via the link below:
- Include a link to your audition video
- The audition form will ask why you want to be an Ambient Musician. This is an important part of the screening process, so please don’t skip over it! If you prefer, you can always address this part at the beginning of your audition video.
Notifications…
From your Audition Form & Video Submissions, we will choose 50 Musicians who will be eligible for a discounted performers ticket. We will have 25 Vehicle Passes available, so be sure to ride-share! For those not chosen, there is still a chance to be involved and perform with us, you will just have to provide your own ticket. We will have up to 30 additional spots open which will include ON-PLAYA SIGN UPS for .
All applicants will be notified mid-July via email with our decisions. As always, this is an evolving process, and we are trying to make it as fair/equitable for all interested Musicians.
Responsibilities…
Ambient Musicians must adhere to the following:
- Those chosen to participate in the Fire Conclave’s Open Ceremony agree to show up at the designated time/place.
- All Musicians are required to attend the mandatory on-playa Safety Meeting on Thursday afternoon before Burn Night (more details to come). Failure to do so means you will not be issued a GCAP.
- All Musicians agree to meet up on Saturday at the designated time/place to receive your GCAP’s (more details to come).
- Those chosen to participate in the Fire Conclave’s Procession agree to show up at the designated time/place.
- And of course, playing for the Fire Conclave’s Fire Performance Groups on Burn Night
In Closing…
We realize it might be a tough year for many. Burnout is real, life happens, and sometimes money doesn’t.
If you’re new to Ambient Musicians, just ask someone who’s done it before — it’s one of the most epic experiences on playa. And in my personal experience, getting out in the dust, leaving the world and our deVICEs behind, living in the moment, and conversing in the language of music is the perfect cure to whatever life throws at us.
Hoping with all our hearts to see all you beautiful people at TTITD!
Join The Community
The Ambient Musicians are a collection of music makers that help create atmosphere at the foot of the Man on Burn Night, and other Fire Conclave rituals at Burning Man. Each Musician comes with their instrument of choice and a desire to create music. We have mostly been drummers in the past but are now branching out to be more inclusive of other instruments and vocalists, while still keeping drummers deeply involved…
Join us on Facebook and Instagram so that we, as a community, can all stay in touch and talk about the things we would like to see on-and-off the Playa to further advance our industry. We encourage your thoughts and ideas, and would love to hear from you!
The most important things don’t fit into words…that’s why there’s music.
~ Rachel Wolchin
If you have any questions at all, or just want to stay in contact, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Devil Stix Dave, Katalyst and Luke
The Ambient Musician Council
Drummers@burningman.org
