advertisement
FYI

Music News Digest: OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator Participants Unveiled, Music PEI Awards Revamped

Also this week: Canadian artists are well-represented at Folk Alliance International, MusicNL postpones its award announcement due to wildfires, 2026 VELD Festival tickets go on sale and more.

OHSOTO’KINO participant Lacey Hill

OHSOTO’KINO participant Lacey Hill

Courtesy Photo

Awards News

The National Music Centre (NMC) has announced that Beaatz, Beatrice Love, Brandi Vezina, Damase Elis, Lacey Hill, Raven Reid and Uncle Trent and Friends have been selected as participants in the OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator program for Indigenous musicians. The program launches next month and will feature a live showcase and reception on September 17 at Studio Bell in Calgary. Tickets here.

The selected artists will converge at Studio Bell, home of the NMC, for five days to learn new skills, connect with music industry experts from across the country and hone their craft and professional chops. Launched in early 2022 and recently renewed for another three years, OHSOTO’KINO is an Indigenous programming initiative that emphasizes the creation of new music in NMC’s recording studios, fostering artist development through a music incubator program, and amplifying Indigenous voices through storytelling in NMC’s exhibitions. More info here.


advertisement

Music PEI has announced that submissions for the 2026 Music PEI Awards will open on August 29 and close on October 13. Most award categories require a current Music PEI membership to apply, with two exceptions: the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award, which are open to all. Members are encouraged to nominate peers, collaborators, and community leaders for any category.

Also new this year, all awards application fees have been removed to make the process more accessible. The 2026 awards list has been finalized at 26 categories. Changes include reworking overlapping awards and introducing new ones to better reflect PEI’s current music scene.

The new Behind the Music Award consolidates categories like Industry Person of the Year and Event of the Year into a new category that celebrates industry professionals working behind the scenes to shine a spotlight on PEI music. Entirely new categories like Alternative Recording of the Year and Visual Artist of the Year aim to include previously underrepresented music scenes and collaborators on PEI. Check the full list of changes, awards categories, eligibility requirements, and submission guidelines here. Music PEI Week 2026 runs Feb. 28 – March 7, culminating in the Awards Gala on March 7.

advertisement

– Last week, Music NL postponed the announcement of the 2025 MusicNL Awards nominees, due to the severe wildfires that have been ravaging Newfoundland and Labrador. The trade org explained that "With many in our province facing evacuation orders and advisories, including a regional state of emergency, we want to keep the focus on community support, safety and recovery. We look forward to celebrating the nominees at a rescheduled date." That date has now been revealed: Friday, August 22, at 11 am NDT. View the announcements on MusicNL’s YouTube Channel here. Music NL Week will take place in St. John's, Nov. 12-16.

Festivals News

Fresh off a highly successful 2025 edition, Toronto's electronic-based VELD Festival is already selling early bird tickets for the 2026 event, running at Downsview Park, July 31 and Aug. 1-2. Tickets here.

– The Parkdale area of Toronto has long been home to a thriving music community and many music venues. That will be affirmed on Aug. 23 with an all-day (10 a.m. to 2 a.m.) Parkdale Music Crawl along Queen Street West, from Roncesvalles to Dufferin. Notable acts featured include Taxi Chain, Barbara Lynch, Heather Luckhart & Eric St. Laurent, Loch Ontario, Black Mass and many DJs. More info and a full lineup here.

advertisement

Lucknow's Music in the Fields is an annual non-profit music festival based in rural Ontario. Celebrating over a decade of music, camping, and community - we run our large-scale experience with small-town hospitality. This year's edition runs Aug. 21-23, and the lineup stresses rock and country. Major names on the bill include Big Sugar, Sass Jordan, Josh Ross, Owen Riegling, Tenille Townes, The Washboard Union and Sacha. 100% of proceeds are donated to charity.

advertisement

Industry News

The 38th Annual Folk Alliance International Conference will be held January 21 - 25, 2026, in New Orleans. FAI has just announced the lineup of the 150-plus artists representing over 34 countries in Official Showcases at FAI, and some major Canadian folk, roots and blues artists are featured on that list. They include Aysanabee, James Keelaghan, Angelique Francis, Bywater Call, Dave Gunning, Lennie Gallant, Crystal Shawanda, Great Lake Swimmers, Meredith Moon, Quique Escamilla, Emma Swift, Okan and Blue Moon Marquee. More info here.

– Emerging managers heading to Breakout West in Winnipeg are eligible to apply now for the 2025 Music Manager Mentorship program presented by MMF Canada in partnership with BreakOut West. Apply here by Sept. 3.

– Nominations are now open for the 2025 MMF (Music Managers Forum) Canada Board of Directors. Self-nominations from all eligible applicants, including managers and self-managed artists of all experience levels, from across the country, are welcomed. Submit here by Sept. 17.

Artists News

Toronto singer-songwriter Peter Katz will release his new album, Everything Unfolding, on Nov. 7, and he has just announced a Nov. 22 hometown show at Allied Music Centre Theatre (in the Massey Hall complex). Expect a mix of songs and stories, given that Katz is also a renowned keynote speaker. Tickets on sale Aug. 22 here. Now a seasoned veteran, Katz has earned over 35 million streams of his material, with YouTube views now exceeding 32 million.

advertisement
Neil Young
Courtesy photo

Neil Young

FYI

Music Biz Headlines: Neil Young 'Renames' Budweiser Stage, Noel Gallagher Gives First Interview SInce Oasis Reunion

Stories making headlines this week: Lucian Grainge fights back in Drake trial, Montreal investigates suspected drugging at îLESONIQ and more.

It's another busy week for music news.

The Drake vs. UMG lawsuit continues, Neil Young leaves Facebook while rocking out at two Toronto shows, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce get emotional and Stingray cashes in on karaoke in cars.

keep readingShow less
advertisement