Sonic Guild is excited to announce the opening of the submissions window for the second year of its Tour Support Grant Program, continuing its mission to support and empower musicians to expand their careers.
In 2025, Sonic Guild Seattle launched the Tour Support Grant Program through an employee-directed grant from Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The program distributed $36,000 to 25 artists and bands, who collectively performed more than 225 shows across the U.S. and Europe. These application-based grants helped offset essential touring expenses—including transportation, lodging, food and pre-tour merchandise production—giving emerging musicians a better chance to grow audiences beyond Seattle. Seattle’s pilot program awarded grants to Acapulco Lips, Bibleoteka, Black Ends, Brenna Bruce, Byland, Claire Conway, Coral Grief, Dean Johnson, Forest Ray, Instant Crush, Kenshi Kilzzz, Lotus the Vibe, Magenta Wave, Marshall Law Band, Night Beats, Racoma, Screen Frogs, Small Paul, Smokey Brights, Somesurprises, Spirit Award, Terror/Cactus, Tinsley, Warren Dunes, Weep Wave and Zookraught.
In 2026, Sonic Guild is expanding its tour support grant to Colorado artists as well, awarding up to 10 grants valued at $1,500 each to Colorado area musicians.
“Touring independently is a challenge, and this support helps ease the financial strain…it allows us to cover essential costs like lodging, backline and van rentals so we can focus on putting on an impactful show and create meaningful connections while on tour,” according to Terror/Cactus, 2025 Tour Support Grant recipient.
Sonic Guild is excited to reengage Colorado artists, including eligible past Colorado grantees—2MX2, Alysia Kraft, Bevin Luna, Big Richard, Britt Devens, Claire Heywood, Dzirae Gold, Gio Chamba, Graham Good & The Painters, iZCALLi, Kayla Marque, Lady Denim, Megan Burtt, N3ptune, Neoma, Pink Fuzz, Ramakhandra, The Mananas, The Sickly Hecks, Veronica May and the Magnetics and Zoe Berman—through this new Tour Support Grant program. While Colorado no longer operates a standalone Sonic Guild chapter, this effort reflects a renewed commitment to supporting musicians in Colorado as they work to build their careers and continue Sonic Guild’s connection to the region.
The 2026 Tour Support Grant Program is made possible through the support of Sonic Guild members, Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy Foundation, The Head & The Heart’s Rivers & Roads Foundation, The Redfellow Foundation, Distrokid and community and individual donors who have all stepped up to fund the program for 2026. In Colorado, the Mishawaka Amphitheatre’s “Mish Initiative” has stepped forward to help fund Colorado musicians. These musicians, companies and community members understand the challenges facing independent musicians as they work to build their careers and work to build their audience outside of their home market.
If companies or individuals are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to this program to support their region’s musicians, they can contribute here.
Applications will be accepted in three windows covering different parts of the calendar year:
Stage #1 For tours taking place February – May 25
● Application window open Dec. 15, 2025-Jan. 16, 2026
Stage #2 For tours taking place June – August 2026
● Application window open March 16-April 10, 2026
Stage #3 For tours taking place September – December 2026
● Application window open July 13-Aug. 7, 2026
Learn more at sonicguild.org/toursupport, and apply today at forms.gle/P9aFMUPQ98fXsfh56.
