Ottawa's First-Ever Capital Music Week Will Feature The Halluci Nation, Skydiggers

Canada's capital city is getting a new national music event.

The first-ever Capital Music Week (CxMW) will take place in Ottawa from May 20-25, featuring concerts, networking activities and an international nightlife summit. Presented by the non-profit Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC), the initiative has local and national ambitions, seeking to promote Ottawa as a national music hub, as well as fostering industry connections across the country.

"CxMW is Ottawa’s invitation to Canada to witness the capital’s creative pulse,” says Melanie Brulée, executive director of OMIC.

One of CxMW's premiere events is the nightlife summit, Canada After Dark, hosted by Ottawa's nightlife commissioner Mathieu Grondin. Billed as the first Canadian forum of its kind, the summit on May 20-21 will bring together development representatives from major Canadian cities as well as Live Nation Canada for an exploration of how city planners and cultural actors can reimagine nightlife.

That's a hot topic across the country, as organizations like the Canadian Live Music Association raise awareness about music venues closing down, while cities like Montreal are in the process of developing new nightlife policies to address issues ranging from noise complaints to liquor licenses.

As part of CxMW, Grondin has coordinated with the City of Ottawa to pilot a 4 AM last call for eligible venues during the event, marking a first for the nation's capital.

Beyond the nightlife focus, CxMW will also feature showcasing concerts, with initial headliners including roots rockers Skydiggers, electronic innovators The Halluci Nation, and alt-pop artist Elijah Woods. The week will host a fireside conversation between CBC Q's Tom Power and Nashville producer Jim Ed Norman at the National Arts Centre, as well as the sixth annual Capital Music Awards.

The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition is hoping to bring in 10,000 attendees to CxMW by 2027.

Find full information about ticketing and programming here.