Nine acts – a winner from each category of the Godiva Calling competition – will each win the prize, where they will play at the Council’s music festival on 4 and 5 July 2026.
The Godiva Calling competition features three judges from the music industry who will select winners from nine categories.
There are nine categories are:
- Acoustic
- Rap, reggae and afrobeats
- DJ and dance
- Contemporary
- Rock
- Indie
- Desi
- Groups
- Under 18s
Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Events, said: “Godiva Calling is a fantastic opportunity for our local talented musicians and vocalists to have their chance to perform on the main stage at the Council’s Godiva in the City event in July.
The wide variety of music categories means that many different types of music will be featured and there will be nine winning acts who will be able to benefit from this fantastic prize.
Applications are now open and it is free to enter, so I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about taking part to read the criteria on our website and apply.”
This year, Godiva Calling introduces a new and refreshed competition format, designed to showcase the very best emerging talent across Coventry and Warwickshire. Applications open on 13 May 2026 with the competition taking place across two stages:
- Stage 1: Online Music Submissions - submit your music for initial judging.
- Stage 2: Live Finals - shortlisted acts will perform live in front of an audience and judging panel.
Godiva in the City is the Council’s music festival which will showcase the best of Coventry homegrown talent, taking place in the city centre. It will feature at least two main headline acts with local winning artists from Godiva Calling having their chance to perform on the main stage.
Godiva Calling is free to enter. Artists must submit two tracks (audio or visual) showing your current style with initial applications received by 10am Thursday 28 May 2026.
For more information about the categories, competition dates and submission guidance godivafestival.com/GodivaCalling
