Plans for the biggest annual night in Newfoundland and Labrador’s music industry have firmed up.
On Thursday (Sept. 3), MusicNL announced the full lineup of performers for the 2026 MusicNL Awards Gala, taking place Thursday, October 1 at the St. John’s Convention Centre. This event officially kicks off MusicNL Week 2026, a four-day celebration of the province’s music industry running October 1 to 4 throughout downtown St. John’s.
The night will feature performances by ten of Newfoundland and Labrador’s standout artists and groups. Previously announced as appearing were The Irish Descendants, Mallory Johnson, Mark Bragg & The Butchers and Rachel Cousins, and they will be joined by the just-named Adrian House, Justin Fancy (winner of the VOCM fan’s choice entertainer of the year award last year), MADELINE, Silver Wolf Band, WEKU and With Violet.
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The Gala will also present the Lifetime Achievement Award — a prestigious honour bestowed upon exceptional individuals who have made profound and enduring contributions to the music sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. This year, Con O’Brien, leader of veteran folk favourites The Irish Descendants, will be honoured for his decades of contributions to our province’s music community.
In addition to the Gala, MusicNL Week 2026 features four days of live showcases, industry education, and a robust export development program that will bring more than 40 delegates from around the world to do business with the province’s music sector, expected to generate more than $2 million in economic impact.
The 2026 MusicNL award nominees were announced on July 30 at a press conference at Spirit of Newfoundland. Leading the nominations list this year with five nods apiece are Port-Aux-Poutines and Rachel Cousins, followed by Mallory Johnson and With Violet, both with four categories. Ben Diamond, Becca Bartlett, Bill Brennan and Andy McNeill, The Irish Descendants, Liz Fagan Band, WEKU and Silver Wolf Band were each nominated in three categories. In all, 117 nominees are spread across 36 categories, from genre-specific artist awards to industry, media and volunteer honours.
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Last year, MusicNL Week featured 40 showcase performances, over 20 panels and workshops, more than 1700 curated business meetings and 38 awards presentations across artists and the industry. Leading the 2025 winners list with two awards apiece were Kelly McMichael, Nick Earle and the Reckless Hearts, Deantha Edmunds, XIA-3 and Quote the Raven.Check out last year's full winners list here.
Tickets are now on sale here for the 2026 Awards Gala.
