THE NEXT WAVE STARTS HERE

THE DRAFT

ENTER THE DRAFT

ENTER THE DRAFTA

Applications Open

THE NEW IS NOW.

Applications Open

THE NEW IS NOW.

The TCA Draft is The Color Agent's annual talent discovery and development program for emerging LGBTQ+ music artists.

Each year, TCA selects up to six artists with something worth building and gives them development, preparation, relationships and access designed around what's next.

UP TO SIX ARTISTS.

ONE DRAFT CLASS.

A DECADE OF TCA X SXSW.

UP TO SIX ARTISTS.

ONE DRAFT CLASS.

A DECADE OF TCA X SXSW.

GET DRAFTED

NOMINATE AN ARTIST

Applications Open

THE NEW IS NOW.

The TCA Draft is The Color Agent's annual talent discovery and development program for emerging LGBTQ+ music artists.

Each year, TCA selects up to six artists with something worth building and gives them development, preparation, relationships and access designed around what's next.

UP TO SIX ARTISTS.

ONE DRAFT CLASS.

A DECADE OF TCA X SXSW.

GET DRAFTED

NOMINATE AN ARTIST

Talent. Opportunity. Momentum.

MORE THAN A SHOWCASE.

Talent. Opportunity. Momentum.

MORE THAN A SHOWCASE.

The Color Agent has spent more than a decade creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ talent at SXSW.
The Draft builds on that experience by identifying artists earlier and helping them prepare for what comes next.

The stage is the moment. The Draft is the work behind it.

DISCOVER.Find artists with talent, identity and momentum.

DEVELOP.Build the skills, strategy and confidence to move forward.

PREPARE.Understand how to approach SXSW, industry conversations, networking and opportunity with intention.

CONNECT.Bring artists closer to TCA's community, relationships and rooms.

Slide 1 of 2

DISCOVER.Find artists with talent, identity and momentum.

DEVELOP.Build the skills, strategy and confidence to move forward.

PREPARE.Understand how to approach SXSW, industry conversations, networking and opportunity with intention.

CONNECT.Bring artists closer to TCA's community, relationships and rooms.

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WE'VE BEEN IN THE ROOM.

OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE PRESENCE SINCE 2015.

For more than a decade, TCA has used its SXSW platform to spotlight LGBTQ+ artists and

create opportunities for talent to be seen, heard and discovered.

OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE PRESENCE SINCE 2015.

For more than a decade, TCA has used its SXSW platform to spotlight LGBTQ+ artists and

create opportunities for talent to be seen, heard and discovered.

OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE PRESENCE SINCE 2015.

For more than a decade, TCA has used its SXSW platform to spotlight LGBTQ+ artists and

create opportunities for talent to be seen, heard and discovered.

PAST PERFORMERS

PAST PARTNERS

The Draft builds on that history.

We've spent years learning what artists need before they walk into a room like SXSW.

Now, we're putting that knowledge to work earlier.

The Draft builds on that history.

We've spent years learning what artists need
before they walk into a room like SXSW.
Now, we're putting that knowledge to work earlier.

4 students looking at a glowing tablet, illustrative

WHAT THE DRAFT CLASS GETS.

The performance is one moment.
The relationship doesn't have to be.

Develop

Personalized career and professional development built around where you are and where you're going.

Prepare

The TCA SXSW Playbook covering goals, networking, meetings, opportunities, follow-up and making the most of the moment.

Connect

Access to TCA's broader community, relationships and conversations across entertainment.

SXSW

The opportunity to participate in TCA's SXSW programming, subject to applicable SXSW, venue, production and artist requirements.

Stay Connected

Complimentary TCA TOO membership as part of your Draft Class experience, keeping you connected beyond SXSW.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We're looking for artists with something to say.

The Draft is for emerging LGBTQ+ music artists with a distinct
creative identity, real momentum and something worth building.

YOU DON'T NEED: A record deal. A manager. An agent. A publicist. 100K followers.
A major festival credit. A perfect EPK. A perfectly mapped-out career.

THE DRAFT IS OPEN TO THE WORLD.

21+ | MUSIC ARTISTS | INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS WELCOME | $0 APPLICATION FEE | TCA TOO MEMBERSHIP NOT REQUIRED

U.S.-based artists may receive priority where required by program logistics or SXSW participation.

21+ | MUSIC ARTISTS | INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS WELCOME | $0 APPLICATION FEE | TCA TOO MEMBERSHIP NOT REQUIRED

U.S.-based artists may receive priority where required by program logistics or SXSW participation.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

CREATIVE IDENTITY

A distinct voice, perspective or point of view.

READINESS

The ability to communicate, participate and make the most of the opportunity.

MOMENTUM

Evidence that you're already creating, moving or building.

Tree branches reach towards a clear, blue sky.

HOW IT WORKS

01 — DISCOVER

Artists apply. Scouts nominate. TCA discovers talent through its network.

02 — SELECT

TCA reviews applications and nominations and selects up to six artists for the Draft Class.

03 — DEVELOP

Selected artists receive development, preparation and access designed around their next

opportunity.

04 — SXSW

Draft Class artists have the opportunity to participate in TCA's SXSW programming, subject to

SXSW confirmation and applicable programming, venue, production and artist requirements.

05 — KEEP BUILDING

Draft Class artists receive complimentary TCA TOO membership and remain connected to the

TCA community beyond SXSW.

01 — DISCOVER

Artists apply. Scouts nominate. TCA discovers talent through its network.

02 — SELECT

TCA reviews applications and nominations and selects up to six artists for the Draft Class.

03 — DEVELOP

Selected artists receive development, preparation and access designed around their next

opportunity.

04 — SXSW

Draft Class artists have the opportunity to participate in TCA's SXSW programming, subject to

SXSW confirmation and applicable programming, venue, production and artist requirements.

05 — KEEP BUILDING

Draft Class artists receive complimentary TCA TOO membership and remain connected to the

TCA community beyond SXSW.

WHO SHOULD WE KNOW?

TALENT SEES TALENT.

You don't have to be applying to help us find the next Draft Class.

Know an LGBTQ+ music artist TCA should know?

TALENT SEES TALENT.

You don't have to be applying to help us find the next Draft Class.

Know an LGBTQ+ music artist TCA should know?

NOMINATE AN ARTIST

A quick nomination. No Scout application required.

BECOME A TCA TOO SCOUT.

HELP US FIND WHAT'S NEXT.

TCA TOO Scouts are part of a trusted talent discovery network of LGBTQ+ music tastemakers, creators, media professionals, industry voices and community leaders. Scouts help TCA find artists who deserve a bigger room.

HELP US FIND WHAT'S NEXT.

BECOME A TCA TOO SCOUT

*SCOUTS ARE SELECTED BY TCA

tHE 2027 DRAFT CLASS

MEET THE ARTISTS.

Each year, up to six artists become part of the TCA TOO Draft Class. Their work, stories and journey become part of the TCA platform as they move through the program.

COMING SOON

GET DRAFTED.

The TCA TOO Draft discovers and develops emerging LGBTQ+ music artists with a distinct creative identity and something worth building. We’re interested in more than where you are in your career.

We want to understand who you are, what drives your work, what you want to contribute to music, and where you want to go next. Tell us your story. Show us your work. Let us know what you’re building.

Applications are free. TCA TOO membership is not required. Up to six artists will be selected. Applying does not guarantee selection or participation in SXSW programming.

THE DRAFT

ARTIST APPLICATION · SXSW 2027

SHOW US WHAT
YOU’RE BUILDING.

We’re looking for artists with a distinct point of view, real momentum, and something meaningful to add to music and culture.

01 — THE ARTIST

Artist or project name*

Contact name*

Email address*

Hometown and country*

Do you identify as LGBTQ+?*

What best describes your sound?*

Share links to your music and primary artist profile.*

Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, YouTube, Bandcamp, website, or social profile.

Frequently asked questions

GOT ANY QUESTIONS?

Frequently asked questions

GOT ANY QUESTIONS?

WHO CAN APPLY?

DO I HAVE TO BE A TCA TOO MEMBER?

DO I NEED A RECORD DEAL OR MANAGER?

WHO IS TCA TOO FOR?

DO I NEED A CERTAIN NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS?

HOW MANY ARTISTS ARE SELECTED?

IS THERE AN APPLICATION FEE?

HOW ARE ARTISTS SELECTED?

CAN I NOMINATE SOMEONE WITHOUT BECOMING A SCOUT?

DOES BECOMING A SCOUT GUARANTEE MY NOMINEE WILL BE SELECTED?

DOES BEING A TCA TOO MEMBER INCREASE MY CHANCES?

WHAT DO SELECTED ARTISTS RECEIVE?

IS A SXSW PERFORMANCE GUARANTEED?

DOES TCA PROVIDE TRAVEL OR HOTEL?

HOW LONG DOES COMPLIMENTARY TCA TOO MEMBERSHIP LAST?

WHAT IF I'M NOT SELECTED?

READY TO GET IN THE ROOM?

TCA is curated and vetted. Apply today—there’s no charge until you’re approved.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY