The Canadian Live Music Association Announces the 2026 Recipients of the RBC-Supported “Setting the Stage” Grant Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON - January 13, 2026
The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) is pleased to announce the grant recipients of the RBC-supported Setting the Stage program.
Now in its second year, Setting the Stage provides grants to independent CLMA-member venues, festivals, and promoters to deliver career mentorship for local emerging artists and support for audience development for their live show.
The recipients and their selected emerging artists and concert dates, are:
Biltmore Theatre (Oshawa, ON) – Maitreya – March 28
Bond ST Event Centre (Oshawa, ON) – Stoke the Fire – March 27
Bronson Centre Music Theatre (Ottawa, ON) – Main Street Revival – February 7
Canada's Music Incubator (Toronto, ON) – Flo Olavarria – January 29
The Cap (Fredericton, N.B.) – Warped Dogwood – February 12
Folk On The Rocks (Yellowknife, NWT) – Brenden MacIntosh – February 20
Horseshoe Tavern (Toronto, ON) – Nicholas Campbell – March 2
Hugh’s Room Live (Toronto, ON) – Aphrose – February 21
NXNE Music Festival (Toronto, ON) – DAPHNE – March 24
Road to Revelree (Sarnia, ON) – Little White Lies – March 20
Rickshaw Theatre (Vancouver BC) – Tribunal – March 21
The Redwood Theatre (Toronto, ON) – SexBandit – February 6
The Silver Dollar Room (Toronto, ON) – Jaks in the Box – January 17
THINQ Music (Westport ON) – Jake DeMarsh – February 25
West End Cultural Centre (Winnipeg, MB) – The Fu Fu Chi Chi Choir – March 21
Whitecap Entertainment (Charlottetown, PEI.) – Braden Lam – March 8
“The significance of RBC’s investment in career mentorship and audience development through this initiative cannot be understated. Our members are experts committed to developing the next generation of talent in Canada and these grants enable them to take risks. Nurturing the infrastructure and ecosystem of the live music sector is critical to its long-term viability, and for the exponential economic, cultural, and social impacts live music activity provides for Canadians.” Erin Benjamin, President & CEO, Canadian Live Music Association
The Setting the Stage program aims to address persistent market challenges within certain areas of the live music ecosystem—challenges that directly impact performance venues and emerging artists as they develop their careers.
For more information about the Setting the Stage program and links to grantees and their emerging artists, please visit here.
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CONTACT:
Setting the Stage Program Manager
Canadian Live Music Association