Ottawa launches the city’s first ever nationally focused music week

Capital Music Week (CxMW) includes top-tier headlining talent, industry summits, and first-of-its-kind nightlife economies forum

OTTAWA, ON – April 24, 2025 – The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) is thrilled to announce the first ever Capital Music Week (CxMW), a new and innovative week-long celebration of music that places Ottawa’s music industry on the national stage. CxMW will run from May 20-25, 2025 in multiple venues across the city and will feature public concerts, professional development summits, and networking opportunities that rival other music weeks across Canada, with a creative and strategic focus on re-invigorating the local and national nightlife economies. Marking a significant milestone for Ottawa’s music sector, the launch of CxMW will showcase local talent and foster city-wide partnerships while animating numerous locations within the community.

“CxMW is Ottawa’s invitation to Canada to witness the capital’s creative pulse,” says Melanie Brulée, Executive Director of OMIC. “We’re combining major headlining talent with grassroots energy, innovative conversations, and unforgettable experiences. It’s a launchpad for artists and an invitation for the national industry to recognize Ottawa as a national music hub.”

International Nightlife Summit

Ottawa’s Nightlife Commissioner, Mathieu Grondin, will host the Canada After Dark Summit (May 20–21), bringing together global nightlife leaders for the first Canadian forum of its kind. From city planners and cultural policymakers to venue owners and artists, the summit explores how music can fuel local economies and reimagine nightlife culture, a strategic initiative intended to extend beyond Ottawa’s borders and help stimulate the nightlife economy across Canada. Participants include development representatives from Montreal, Kingston, Hamilton, and London among numerous others, festival directors, the Regional Vice President of Live Nation Canada, and many more leading stakeholders in Canada’s nightlife economy. In a capital region first, Grondin has coordinated with the City of Ottawa to pilot 4AM last call liquor license extensions for eligible venues during CxMW, a move inspired by successful models in neighbouring cities Toronto and Montreal.

The Capital Music Awards

The centrepiece of the week is the 6th Annual Capital Music Awards (CMAs), held at Southam Hall in the National Arts Centre on May 22. Recognizing excellence across 13 categories from Music Educator of the Year to Group of the Year, the CMAs are a rising regional celebration on a national stage, showcasing Canada’s next wave of talent. This year, the night will conclude with a high-energy electronic showcase at the official ByWard After Dark afterparty at Lowertown Brewery and SkyLounge.

Industry Access

CBC q host Tom Power will sit down with legendary Nashville producer Jim Ed Norman on May 20th for a live fireside chat at the National Arts Centre. Known for shaping careers of numerous artists including Anne Murray, Faith Hill, Blake Shelton, and Randy Travis, the event will also debut Norman’s latest work with a local artist.

A Capital Event For The Nation

Spotlighting the vibrancy of Ottawa’s local music scene with a variety of artists performing across multiple genres, attendees will witness a powerful celebration of Ottawa’s musical talent including local showcasing artists opening for headliners Elijah Woods, The Halluci Nation, and Skydiggers. On May 21 and 22, the National Arts Centre will host the Ontario Music City Showcase – free lunch-hour concerts featuring exciting performances from artists across the province of Ontario, in addition to local talent.

Showcasing artists will be announced in early May. For a complete list of events, schedules, artists, ticket information, and updates, visit cxmw.ca and follow @cxmw.ca on Facebook and Instagram.

Sponsorship packages are still available for a limited time, please contact Melanie Brulée melanie@ottawamic.com. Please visit our website for a list of our generous sponsors.

About—OMIC

The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) is a bilingual member-based non-profit whose mission is to play a lead role in the economic, cultural and social prosperity of Ottawa and the surrounding region by creating a thriving and inclusive music ecosystem that provides opportunities for local artists, music professionals and venue owners, fostering collaboration and innovation, and engaging the community.

OMIC is committed to connecting music communities, along with its municipal, provincial, national, and international partners to work toward common goals and creating a vibrant and sustainable music industry in Ottawa that benefits and inspires all members of the community and embeds music into the fabric of the city.

TICKETS AND FULL SCHEDULE AVAILABLE HERE

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, May 20th

The Producer’s Chair fireside chat with Tom Power & Jim Ed Norman, performance by Tara Shannon

National Arts Centre, 4th Stage
7:00 PM
BUY TICKETS / MORE INFO
ADDITIONAL TICKETS VIA NAC-CNA.CA

The Commotions with KellyLee Evans

The Bronson
8:00 PM
BUY TICKETS / MORE INFO

Wednesday, May 21st

Canada After Dark Nightlife Summit Day 1/2 (Hosted by Mathieu Grondin / Ottawa Nightlife Office)

National Arts Centre, 4th Stage
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
BUY TICKETS / MORE INFO

Ontario Music City Showcases Day 1/2 (Artists from Ottawa, Kingston, and Hamilton)

National Arts Centre, Peter A. Herrndorf Place
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
ADMISSION IS FREE / RSVP HERE

Mayor Sutcliffe’s Music Mixer (Official ‘Music Week’ proclamation)

Fairmont Chateau Laurier
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
By invitation for sponsors, CMA nominees, performers, presenters & media. Click here for more info on sponsorship.

Elijah Woods (and Emerging Artist Showcases)

The Bronson (presented by spectrasonic and ENTTX Productions)
8:00 PM
BUY TICKETS / MORE INFO

Thursday, May 22nd

Canada After Dark Nightlife Summit Day 2/2 (Hosted by Mathieu Grondin / Ottawa Nightlife Office):

National Arts Centre, 4th Stage
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
BUY TICKETS / MORE INFO

Ontario Music City Showcases Day 2/2 (Artists from Toronto, Mississauga, and London):

National Arts Centre, Peter A. Herrndorf Place
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
ADMISSION IS FREE / RSVP HERE

THE BIG EVENT! 6th Annual Capital Music Awards

National Arts Centre, Southam Hall
7:00 PM
BUY TICKETS / MORE INFO – Nominee tickets are available at a discounted rate of $15. Check your email and follow the link!

ByWard After Dark: Official Capital Music Awards After Party

Lowertown Brewery & SkyLounge (both levels)
11:00 PM til 3AM
BUY TICKETS / MORE INFO – Nominees get free tix to the After Party. Check your email by May 15th for details!