Nominees for The 2026 Live Music Awards Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON - April 9, 2026
The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA), in partnership with Departure, has announced the nominees for the 2026 Live Music Awards, highlighting an extraordinary year with 190 nominees spanning 24 categories. The winners will be announced live on May 6, 2026, at the Bluma Appel Theatre in Toronto, ON.
The awards shine a light on the ingenuity, perseverance, and excellence of Canada’s live music community. Categories recognize individuals, companies, and organizations across the live music sector—including venues, festivals, promoters, agents, collaborative initiatives, and more.
“The CLMA is thrilled to recognize the individuals and organizations behind the best live music events in the world: Canadian ones,” said Maddy Oliver, Interim Executive Director of the CLMA. “We look forward to a night of camaraderie and celebration with our community.”
“The Live Music Awards nominees reflect the incredible depth, diversity, and creativity driving Canada’s live music scene forward,” said Kevin Barton, Executive Producer at Departure Festival + Conference. “We’re pleased to celebrate the artists and industry leaders who are shaping unforgettable live experiences, and we look forward to bringing this community together for a truly special night.”
View the 2026 Live Music Award nominees.
Public voting for select categories runs April 9–16, 2026. Vote now.
Recognition of Global Leaders
The Live Music Awards will also honour individuals whose contributions have shaped the global live music landscape. Their work has influenced live music culture, strengthened industry infrastructure, and left a lasting imprint through careers defined by vision, innovation, and impact on future generations. Congratulations to:
Global Impact in Live Music - Kevin Lyman
Global Live Music Leadership Award - Erin Benjamin
Live Legacy Award - Patti-Anne Tarlton
Attend the 2026 Live Music Awards
Tickets are now on sale and available here. CLMA members can save 30% on award show tickets and Departure Conference, Priority or Live Music Summit passes using exclusive discount codes found in the CLMA member portal.
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CONTACT:
Canadian Live Music Association
staff@canadianlivemusic.ca