The Beaches’ viral rise in 2023 was only the beginning. This year is proving to be their biggest year yet — and they’re ready for it.

After spending the summer having their songs screamed back at them by tens of thousands of fans at Coachella, Osheaga and Pukkelpop in Belgium, the Toronto band recently released their critically acclaimed new album, No Hard Feelings, which debuted in the top 25 of the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. Before they play their first-ever headlining show at their hometown Scotiabank Arena on November 6, they mark another career milestone.

The Beaches are this year’s Billboard Canada Women of the Year — the first time Billboard’s prestigious flagship award will go to a whole group rather than a single artist.

“We’re so honoured to be celebrated alongside so many incredible women who have done so much for the music industry,” says Kylie Miller. “Our team is built around women working together, so anytime we get to celebrate communities of women uplifting one another, it feels amazing,” adds her sister Jordan.

The Beaches have been grinding on the road and in the industry since they were kids, so they were ready for their moment when it hit. They’ve refused to coast on momentum, levelling up with every move. And they’ve finally found their people — an increasingly young, queer and diverse fanbase that represents them and the often painfully relatable heartbreak songs they sing about.

“We’ve garnered a new fan base that represents who we are,” says Leandra Earl. “We’re now seeing ourselves in the audience and they’re seeing themselves on stage.”

The Beaches are the kind of band Billboard Women in Music was made to celebrate.

Read Billboard Canada’s cover story on The Beaches here.