Hello Musicians,
We’re beyond excited to invite you all back to Black Rock City in 2026. Our ongoing commitment to gather, socialize, teach, discover, and spread the joy of music is stronger than ever!
In this Issue:
📌 The Ambient Musicians Defined
📌 Ticketing Info
📌 Duties and Obligations
📌 Nightly Drum Circles and Mentorship
📌 The Application Process
Contact Us: AmbientMusicians@burningman.org (formerly Drummers@burningman.org)
The Ambient Musicians Defined
The Ambient Musicians are a collection of Drummers and Musicians who help create the atmosphere for 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 vocals while still keeping drummers deeply involved.
These Musicians form into groups and bring music to the Opening Ceremony, the Procession, and are spread around the Great Circle with the Fire Conclave groups, becoming the heartbeat of the Great Circle on Burn Night.
Ticketing Info
Participation in Ambient Musicians is limited. 50 people will be selected from the pre-playa application/audition process (outlined below). Those chosen will receive discounted, guaranteed tickets through the Fire Conclave. There will also be 25 Vehicle Passes available. All tickets will be held at Will Call.
There will also be a limited amount of “On-Playa Sign-ups” but we encourage everyone to apply and audition for the best chance to secure your place in the Ambient Musicians.
In either case, participation in Ambient Musicians will give you some of the best access to the Burn – literal front-row seating. You’ll get to perform for dozens of fire spinners, and thousands of Burners on Burn Night. Some Musicians will be invited to perform at the Opening Ceremony / Lighting of El Diabla Cauldron that officially kicks off the week on Monday, as well as the Procession that transfers that fire to the Great Circle on Burn Night. Plus you’ll have tons of opportunities to gather, play, learn, teach, befriend, and make music together.
As always, this is an evolving process. We always strive to make the process fair and equitable for all interested Musicians, no matter your skill level.
Duties and Obligations
Please understand that the following obligations are conditions to the participation of each and every one of us in the Ambient Musicians.
- Complete the application and audition process (details below)
- Attend the MANDATORY on-playa Safety Meeting on Thursday afternoon, two days before Burn Night (more details to come)
- Pick up your Great Circle Access Pass (GCAP) on playa, at a date and location specified (more details to come)
- Be at each designated meeting place and on time with your instrument(s) depending on which Rituals/Groups you are assigned to.
Nightly Drum Circles and Mentorship
Once again the Ambient Musicians are encouraging everyone to come out for our Sunset Drum Circles and Mentorship at the Cauldron located at 6:00 and Esplanade. This is where Musicians & Drummers really get to know one another and create a musical community, experiencing a vibrant energy that becomes one song, one rhythm, one heart.
The Application Process
Each interested Musician or Vocalist is required to fill out a Submission Form and attach a link to your Audition Video. This includes:
- Returning Ambient Musicians
- Group/Pod Leaders
- Community Drummers/Groups
- Newbies
The purpose of the audition video is so that we can assess not only your current skill level, but most importantly your instrument(s) of choice and playing styles, so together we can create the most balanced, musical placements and pods for Burn Night and other activities. For this reason, your submission video will need to be current. Previous years’ submission videos and performances can not be accepted.
The video should incorporate the following aspects:
- Perform with the instrument(s) that you intend to use on-playa, in the Processional and/or for the Burn. Simple, often overlooked instruments that are especially valuable: shakers, wood blocks/claves, bells, woodwinds, bowed string instruments, deeper/bass-ier drums (dunun, low toms), etc.
- Any style, rhythm, acoustic instrument or vocals are acceptable. Instruments must be portable, easily played and carried comfortably. Sorry, but electronic/amplified instruments are not permitted.
- Perform 3 different rhythms/motifs, each for one minute straight. This will demonstrate your ability to hold a beat, improvise, and transition.
- Total Video should be a minimum of 3 minutes, and no more than 5 minutes long.
- Keep it simple. Although flare and advanced abilities are icing on the cake, holding a rhythm and sounding good are of paramount importance.
- Keep it pure. No edited videos will be accepted. We just want to see what you are capable of.
We highly encourage other instruments. Things like Turkish clap cymbals, Bougarabous, and a range of vocalists.
If you are submitting a video using an instrument other than drums, you are welcome to include a drum beat or metronome with your instrument in your video submission if you’d like. One way to do this so we can see your transitions is to pre-record 3 different drum beats and play along with that recording. Or, invite a drummer friend to join you in your video. Be creative and have fun!
On the form you will also be asked: Why do you want to be an Ambient Musician? This question will be used as a secondary screening process, so please be sure to include what being a part of this community means to you.
Here is the link to the official Ambient Musician Sign Up Form for 2026. The form to sign up is now live.
Deadline to submit: June 6, 2026 at midnight (12:00am PST)
https://forms.gle/pCfhRAQ69vyAtU829
Stay Informed
Follow us on Instagram: A place where Ambient Musicians can share their On Playa Experiences through photos and videos!
https://www.instagram.com/ambientmusiciansofburningman/?hl=en
Join the Community
Join our Facebook Group: A place for Musicians to gather, play, learn, teach, befriend, and discuss making music together!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1200262777343701
“Where words leave off, music begins.”
– Heinrich Heine
Luke Munnell
Ambient Musician Director
Image by: Grant Palmer, The Fire Zone, 2025
