NXNE 2026 is heating up with the first set of Billboard Canada LIVE shows.
The multi-day festival has announced the second 100 artists, joining the earlier announced first 100 artists who will take the stage at various venues across Toronto from June 10-14 for this year's 31st edition.
That includes six shows presented by Billboard Canada: pop-rock duo Fionn, producer Frank Walker, post-rock group Covet, electronic act Sickick and indie-pop singer Yot Club.
Kicking off the first day of the festival, Vancouver twin sisters Fionn are set to perform at The Rivoli. In their home country, they have taken over the airwaves — their rock anthem “Blow” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Canada Modern Rock Airplay chart last October, spending three weeks at the top, and they were named a Rising Canadian Artist to Watch.
Frank Walker, a popular Toronto producer, has achieved Billboard Canada Airplay chart success, too. His hit “Lay It On Me,” featuring Canadian country chart-topping act Josh Ross and singer Norma Jean Martine, has secured spots on All-Format, CHR/Top 40 and Hot AC, with its highest charting placement at No. 13 on Top 40 radio. He’s set to perform at SOUNDSTAGE at the W Toronto on June 11. It will be an intimate Q&A and DJ set, giving fans an exclusive taste of his new era.
Two days later, Toronto’s Sickick will take the stage at SOUNDSTAGE. Last year, the masked LED electronic act notably teamed up with singers Aloe Blacc and Vikkstar on “Lonely Together,” an anethmic collaboration about finding connection through isolation. Blending dance and electronic music with hip-hop, R&B and much more, he has remixed and collaborated with global superstars Madonna, Post Malone and many more.
Meanwhile, Covet performs on June 12 at Lee’s Palace, and Yot Club hits up The Mod Club on June 13. More Billboard Canada LIVE shows are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
In addition, NXNE has unveiled another 100 artists — both emerging homegrown talent and rising global acts — set to perform at the renowned festival. This includes hotly tipped acts like DESIIRE, Akeem Oh, Leila Day, Neon Bloom, J3M, Victoria Staff and many more.
These acts will play 40-minute sets with a 20-minute changeover in over 30 of the city’s hottest venues. Passholders can jump from venue to venue. To reach even more music fans across the city, NXNE is adding stages at Union Station, Billy Bishop and Pearson airports.
Today's announcement continues a fruitful partnership between NXNE and Billboard Canada, which kicked off in 2025. This year, Rolling Stone Canada is an additional partner, further amplifying the festival's global impact.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, last year’s festival was major for NXNE with back-to-back memorable performances — from global pop-R&B singer Khalid, The Beaches and Daniel Caesar headlining special one-off Billboard Canada THE STAGE shows. Plus, a bevvy of Canadian acts played Billboard Canada LIVE showcases across the city, including Ruby Waters, renforshort and King Cruff.
More Billboard Canada LIVE shows will be announced soon, as will one-of-a-kind Billboard Canada THE STAGE events.
As the festival marks its 31st edition, organizers are expanding its industry focus, bringing Billboard Canada events, including Power Players (nominations are open now), Managers to Watch and Billboard Summit @ NXNE, to attendees.
For the first time, the sixth edition of Canadian Sync Awards will be presented at NXNE, in collaboration with The Guild of Music Supervisors, on June 11. The day prior, GMSC’s Sound + Vision — an industry education and networking event — has been added to the roster.
Buy your pass at nxne.com/tickets.
Billboard Canada’s parent company AMG co-owns NXNE and its brands are official media partners of NXNE.
