Canadian Live Music Association

06/04/2026

The Climate Contingency Roadmap, a national initiative led by the CLMA, has reached stage 4 of 5 in developing a practical, sector-specific toolkit that supports live music professionals in planning for and responding to climate-related disruptions.

The toolkit will include decision-making frameworks, hazard-specific SOPs, and more.

Through our Climate Contingency survey, here is what we've learned so far about climate disruptions in the live music sector:

- 90% of respondents report direct financial costs or losses
- 86% of respondents agree that climate change is already affecting their events
- Recovery is overwhelmingly financed through internal reserves or cash flow

Learn more about the CLMA's Climate Contingency report and toolkit here: https://ow.ly/GZbw50Z7Haz

This project is supported by Ontario Creates and Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia.

05/25/2026

The CLMA is hosting a National Member Meeting, where members from across the country will connect, share insights, and discuss key issues impacting the Canadian live music sector.

Details:
Wednesday, June 3
3:00–4:00 PM ET
Online (English)
Open to all CLMA members and their teams

Members can register via the link in bio or through the member portal.

Not yet a member? Sign up today to join live music's united voice.

05/13/2026

What a night. 🎶

The CLMA team and Departure Festival + Conference brought the industry together for the 2026 Live Music Awards — celebrating the organizations and individuals who make live music what it is. Proud doesn't even begin to cover it.

To everyone who helped make it special and came out to honour the people working hard behind the scenes: thank you. 🫶

05/12/2026

The CLMA is happy to partner with East Coast Music Association (ECMA) to present the Event of the Year Award at the 2026 ECMAs.

Congratulations to the nominees:
Celtic Colours International Festival
Lawnya Vawnya
Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society
Makin' Waves presented by Sydney Credit Union
Festival du homard de Shediac Lobster Festival

05/08/2026

To the people behind live music 🫶

05/07/2026

Winners Announced at 2026 Live Music Awards

The CLMA and Departure Festival + Conference congratulate the newly announced winners and all the nominees of the 2026 Live Music Awards.

It was an honour to partner with Departure on last night's awards, bringing our industry together to celebrate the music companies, individuals, and organizations that define it.

Thank you to our hosts, Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe and Ali Hassan, and a special shout-out to the incredible performances from Alicia Creti, Cam Kahin, Shawnee Kish.

Read the full announcement and view the winners:

The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) and Departure congratulate the newly announced winners of the 2026 Live Music Awards.

05/04/2026

The nominees have been announced. The honourees have been revealed. And in case you missed it, we just announced the performers and hosts for the 2026 Live Music Awards on May 6th.

We're excited to welcomeThe Official Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 as a presenter, alongside show hosts Miss Angeline TW and StandUp Ali.

And we’ve lined up three incredible Canadian artists to take the stage for performances:
Alicia Creti
Cam Kahin
Shawnee Kish

Get your tickets here: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/10006457BBABB427

CLMA members SAVE 30% on award show tickets and Departure Festival + Conference, Priority or Live Music Summit passes using the codes found in the member portal.

04/30/2026

Yesterday, the Ontario government announced an investment of more than $20 million in funding to support nearly 400 festivals and events across the province through Experience Ontario (EO) 2026. This investment is significant to supporting the cultural and economic vitality of live music and events across Ontario.

The CLMA applauds the announcement, and recently recommended a sustained investment in EO in its 2026 Ontario Budget submission, saying: “Festivals, concerts, and live music events have demonstrated the ability to produce high-impact visitor spending and rapid economic returns when appropriately supported.”

Continue reading: https://www.canadianlivemusic.ca/news/20m-investment-experience-ontario

04/23/2026

The Small World Music Incubator provides artists with industry-led hands-on professional development sessions, peer collaboration spaces, mentorship, curated showcasing and networking opportunities.

Deadline to apply: May 3, 2026
Learn more below.

The Small World Music Incubator is back! 🌐

Applications for 2026 are now open for our five-month program supporting newcomer, immigrant, and underrepresented artists building their music careers in Canada.

Artists receive industry-led, hands-on professional development sessions, peer collaboration spaces, mentorship, and curated showcasing and networking opportunities.

🌍 Many artists arrive in Canada with strong artistic foundations but limited local networks. The Incubator addresses this gap by offering structure, guidance, and meaningful access to the Canadian music industry ✨

Deadline to apply is May 3

Apply now.

https://smallworldmusic.com/incubator

04/21/2026

The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) celebrates today’s announcement from The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR) and Musicaction regarding the Promoter Program and Festival Program.

The return of the Promoter Program and introduction of the new Festivals Program represents a $2 million investment in live music, long championed by the CLMA.

Both programs are designed to share investment risk with Canadian-owned companies that have a demonstrated track record of successfully presenting Canadian artists, ensuring diverse Canadian voices and communities remain at the centre of the live music experience.

Read more: https://www.canadianlivemusic.ca/news/2m-investment-in-live-music-sector