By barnaby
Boy Golden, Bob Moses, July Talk, The Beaches, Metric, Dear Rouge, The Glorious Sons, Arkells, Billy Talent, The Darcys, Monowhales, Anyway Gang, Mother Mother, and Dear Rouge stand out in the year-end Alt category.
The night was hosted by TV personality Cheryl Hickey, who immediately highlighted the impact of Billboard. She told the crowd: “When an artist appears on a Billboard chart or cover, it means something.”
Elizabeth Crisante, chief commercial officer of Billboard Canada and Billboard UK shared that Power Players honours the roles that work behind the scenes of an artist’s career: from the record labels to the promoters. “Tonight isn’t about the charts but the people behind them,” she said.
It was a major night for the Canadian music industry, as Billboard Canada awarded its first-ever Hall of Fame inductees, Vinny Cinquemani and Riley O’Connor, alongside FACTOR CEO Meg Symsyk for her visionary leadership and Margaret McGuffin, who has made an incomparable impact in the industry. Plus, Angine de Poitrine received an unannounced honour: the Global Breakthrough Award for the international acclaim they’ve amassed this year.
Here are the highlights from 2026 Billboard Canada Power Players.
Angine de PoitrineYuvi Sharma
Following a viral KEXP performance in February, Quebec-based math rock duo Angine de Poitrine have skyrocketed into international fame. The polka-dot-clad pair — who perform under the pseudonyms Khn de Poitrine and Klek de Poitrine — are everywhere, performing sold-out shows across the globe, opening up for notable acts, reaching major streaming milestones and getting the stamp of approval from artists like Dave Grohl and Canada’s own Deadmau5.
The band has received some major industry interest since their extreme rise in the last four months. They got to accept the Billboard Canada Global Breakthrough Award, presented by FACTOR, in front of the most powerful executives in Canada. When their name was announced, many in the room were questioning if they were really there and what they would do.
True to their artistry, the two members took the stage in full black and white polka dot costumes as their music played, walked up to the microphone, and then didn’t utter a single word. While they lingered on stage it seemed like they might say something, if even in their otherworldly language. Instead, Khn reached up and touched his hat, and a burst of black and white confetti showered the audience. Then, they left.
Afterwards, the room was buzzing as attendees discussed the band and their rise. Without saying a word, they had one of the big moments of the night.
Vinny CinquemaniYuvi Sharma
Two icons of the live music industry were honoured for their decades-long devotion to the country and its artists. Paquin Artists Agency co-president Vinny Cinquemani and Live Nation Canada chairman Riley O’Connor became the first-ever inductees into the Billboard Canada Hall of Fame.
Cinquemani is beloved in the industry, and it was palpable from the slew of video tributes and congratulations that played. That included some major artists including Bryan Adams, Simple Plan and David Wilcox and industry titans like Allan Reid and Sam Feldman. Cinquemani was presented the award by his longtime client, acclaimed singer Amanda Marshall and his own daughter, Amanda Cinquemani, who was a surprise presenter.
As he took the stage to accept his award, he joked that he’s never speechless. He detailed his journey as a booking agent, from arriving to Toronto from New York in the 1970s. “Back then, it wasn't about awards — it wasn't about recognition. It was about passion and belief and the relentless drive to help artists be heard,” he said.
Throughout his 40-year career, Cinquemani has worked with some of the most influential Canadian artists, including major artists The Guess Who, Michael Bublé and Jann Arden, among many others.
"Being a part of the journey has been my greatest reward of my career. To my artists, I thank you for the privilege and honour of being part of your lives and careers, and for believing in me. This recognition reflects your hard work as much as mine.”
Riley O'ConnorYuvi Sharma
Later, Riley O’Connor received his own induction. The Live Nation Canada chairman, like Cinquemani, is one of the architects of the Canadian live music industry, and he was presented the award by his Live Nation colleague Erik Hoffman and legendary Blue Rodeo artist Jim Cuddy.
Like Cinquemani, O'Connor's history stretches back to the ‘70s, and he's worked on tours from major homegrown acts like Rush and The Tragically Hip to global stars like Elton John and Bruce Springsteen.
O'Connor and his presenters joked that he rarely likes to make speeches or be in the spotlight, but he was palpably emotional receiving this honour.
"For me, the job is about putting the artist first, making sure everybody treats artists with respect, and they have a system of earning money consistently across this country. That is what I fought for 45 years,” he said. "You cannot go far in this business without family support and encouragement.”
Towards the end of O’Connor’s speech, he shared a piece of advice, especially to the younger people in the room: "If there's an inspiration to keep fighting for what's right, don't give up. It is something special to be part of the creative process in this country.”
Meg Symsyk accepts the Visionary Leadership Award from Billboard Canada National Editor Richard Trapunski at Billboard Canada Power Players 2026.Yuvi Sharma
When Meg Symsyk, president and CEO of FACTOR, stepped onstage to accept the Visionary Leadership award, she revealed that earlier in the day, she was on a flight from Los Angeles where she was with Rush at The Forum on their comeback 50th anniversary tour. Symsyk has fostered a close relationship as part of Rush's team during her years in the industry, even quoting them during her speech.
Billboard Canada national editor Richard Trapunski personally presented her with the award, and outlined that it’s been a whirlwind month for Symsyk, as news that FACTOR and Scotiabank had settled their lawsuit became public at the beginning of this month. In 2024, nearly $10 million was withdrawn from the major Canadian funding organization’s Scotiabank account, sparking nearly two years of legal proceedings. Symsyk didn’t back down from the situation and fought for the importance of ensuring that Canadian talent and creative businesses have the support to thrive.
Throughout it all, Symsyk ensured that FACTOR has continued — and in many ways, expanded — its support. She advocated to ensure the renewal of the Canada Music Fund, announced $2 million in funding for live music through its Promoter Program and Festival Program and fought for Canadian curators and Canadian content during the implementation of the Online Streaming Act. And she's fought an important fight for corporate accountability, whether it's against banks or foreign-owned tech companies.
"In practice, this has meant championing voices that may have otherwise gone unheard. It has meant supporting artists who choose to live the road less traveled," she said during her speech. “It's meant standing up firm in our values, even when the easier path would have been to look the other way, when convenience could overtake supporting local.”
While it’s not always easy, it’s proven to be a fruitful endeavour for Symsyk, her team and the artists and organizations that she works with.
“When you are surrounded by people who share your values and challenge each other to be better, you discover that leadership is less about pursuing your personal achievements and more about helping others find theirs,” she said. “Our work has always been about more than streams and charts and ticket sales and market share.”
Margaret McGuffin
Margaret McGuffin, CEO of Music Publishers Canada, received the Impact Award. She was recognized for her advocacy ensuring that Canadian creators are fairly compensated and licensed in the age of AI, as well as her mentorship for the next generation.
“As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into the creative ecosystem, we must ensure that creators and the companies that invest in them have a voice in shaping the future,” she said during her speech. “These are the people I've spent my career working with and advocating for. I have the great privilege of working with music publishers, many who are in this room.”
She’s been a consistent advocate for Canadian artists, speaking at the House of Commons and the National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture to ensure policies reflect the essentiality of human creation.
It’s why she champions underrepresented acts like Sally Shaar, former frontwoman of Canadian alt-rock group Monowhales — who said she’s already feeling the effects of McGuffin’s impact — and presented the award to McGuffin alongside Mishelle Pack, director of creative A&R at Sony Music Publishing Canada. Pack is a mentor in Music Publishing Canada's Women in the Studio National Accelerator, while Shaar is one of its 2026 class.
“A future built on human creativity is not only worth having, it's worth fighting for,” McGuffin declared to spontaneous applause from the audience. "That is what impact is. Not something that I do, not something one person does, but something a whole community makes possible for one another.”
McGuffin joins two Canadian music industry powerhouses in receiving the award, including 2024 recipient Gary Slaight and October’s Very Own CEO/Remix Project co-founder Derek “Drex” Jancar in 2025.
It was a beautiful night with executives mingling at tables throughout the venue, enjoying a three-course meal from Masrawy Egyptian Kitchen. Each Power Player took home a special gift box by Love of Cocktails. Billboard Canada Power Players was also supported by Live Nation Canada and Tixr.
