Capital Music Week (CxMW)

Introducing the inaugural Capital Music Week May 20-25, 2025 - an entire week of events bringing fans, entrepreneurs, and creators together for the love of music. 

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Introducing Capital Music Week (CxMW)

  • Showcase submissions are now closed but you can still submit to be considered for hundreds of other live performance opportunities throughout the year here: Artist Submission Form.

  • Exclusive offers and news are announced via our newsletter. Sign up here. 

  • See official Capital Music Week Events HERE

  • Coming in from out of town? Take advantage of special CxMW pricing with our preferred hotel partner the stunning Fairmont Chateau Laurier. Pricing and details coming soon. 

What is Capital Music Week? 

Scroll down for the schedule! 

Capital Music Week (CxMW) is a multi-day music and industry event designed to position Ottawa as a leading music tourism destination while fostering professional development, networking, and live music experiences. Organized by the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) and launching May 20-25, 2025, CxMW builds on the success of the Capital Music Awards to create a city-wide festival that supports artists, industry professionals, and businesses.

With a goal of attracting 10,000+ attendees by 2027, CxMW features headliner concerts, showcases, industry panels, networking events, and a trade show, aligning with Ottawa’s Music City Strategy, Nightlife Economy Action Plan and broader economic development initiatives. Through strategic partnerships and targeted marketing, the event connects sponsors with a diverse audience of music professionals, businesses, and engaged music fans.

By partnering with CxMW, sponsors gain visibility in a dynamic and growing cultural sector while supporting Ottawa’s music economy and creative industries. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with companies, businesses, and organizations that share our vision for a thriving and sustainable music ecosystem.

Capital Music Week (CxMW) is grateful for the support of these partners:
The City of Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, Ontario Creates, FACTOR, The National Arts Centre, The Bronson, Godzspeed, the City of Hamilton, City of Toronto, Kingston Music Office, City of Mississauga, City of London, Memetic Media, Sidi.io, Amanda Julia Events, CRANIUM, Hello Downtown BIA, ByWard Public Market, Duane Francis Wealth Creation, Gavan’s Hotel Quyon, Music Publishers Canada, Invest Ottawa, Willow Sound Records, Leadership Music, Ottawa Festival Network, Lowertown Brewery, SkyLounge, Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Alt Hotel by Le Germain, Hôtel Le Germain, Steves Music, Tamarack Race Weekend, Digital Arts Resource Centre,  Bar Robo/Queen St Fare, Thinq Music, The Rainbow Bistro, Live On Elgin, Brass Monkey, spectrasonic, Events.com, HOT 89.9FM, CKCU FM, ELMNT FM, ENTTX Productions,

The Capital Music Awards (CMAs) is grateful for the support of these partners:
The City of Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, The National Arts Centre, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, Optimal Show Experience OSE, Lycea Productions, Mark A. Macdonald Lighting Design, Boyden, Calian, Chiron Promotions, Member 365, Bar Robo/Queen St Fare, Audio Valley Studio, Peter Maur, Steves Music, CKCU FM, ELMNT FM  

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, May 20th

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

The Commotions with KellyLee Evans

 

Wednesday, May 21st

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

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

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

Elijah Woods (and Emerging Artist Showcases)

 

Thursday, May 22nd

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

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

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!

 

Friday, May 23rd

Skydiggers (and Emerging Artist Showcases)

TIMEKODE DJ Party

 

Saturday, May 24th

Sound x Summit: A Full Day of Panels, Workshops & Exhibitor’s Market 

CRANIUM Artist Showcases

  • National Arts Centre, 4th Stage
  • 7:30 PM (doors)
  • Tickets coming soon

The Halluci Nation (with special guests)

  • Club Saw (presented by spectrasonic)
  • 8:00 PM (doors)
  • SOLD OUT

Sunday, May 25th

The Halluci Nation (with special guests)

 

OTHER EVENTS TO CHECK OUT DURING CAPITAL MUSIC WEEK (CxMW)

RED BIRD: Concerts (May 20-25)

THE NXT LVL @RAINBOW, @LIVE ON ELGIN & @BRASS MONKEY: Emerging Artist Concert Series presented by Thinq Music (May 20-24)

BAR ROBO/QUEEN ST FARE: Jazz & Latin Series (May 20-25)

SPECTRASONIC: Concerts (May 20-25)

AXÉ WORLDFEST/MOOV OTTAWA: SOFT SERVE WAACKING DANCE BATTLE & DISCO PARTY (May 24)

The Producer's Chair with Tom Power

Tom Power interviews legendary producer Jim Ed Norman (The Eagles, Anne Murray) and special performance by Tara Shannon

elijah woods + Emerging Artist Showcases (ALL AGES)

ALL AGES SHOW! elijah woods is back from sold-out tour in South Asia

6th Annual Capital Music Awards (2025)

Join us at the 6th annual Capital Music Awards at the National Arts Centre's legendary Southam Hall on May 22nd, 2025! Featuring live performances, networking and celebration!

ByWard After Dark: Official Capital Music Awards After Party

Join us in the ByWard Market where the Capital Music Awards celebration continues into the late late night! DJ's and dancing and kitchen open til 2AM!

Sound x Summit / Sommet x Sonore

Sound x Summit: Panels, Workshops & Exhibitor's Market. Join the conversation!

Wanna get involved? 

 

I'm a Supporter/Volunteer:

Are you interested in volunteering? Fill out the Volunteer Form! It’ll take a village to make this event a success!

I'm a Brand/Company/Sponsor:

Looking to get visibility in front of 5000+ of dynamic consumers, creators, businesses, and tourists? See our Sponsorship Deck and talk to Melanie Brulée melanie@ottawamic.com about how we can tailor a package to fit your price point and needs. No investment is too small, let's get you involved.

I'm an Artist or Music Entrepreneur:

If you're a Developing, Emerging or Export-ready artist or music worker, save Saturday May 24th for the Sound x Summit panels and workshops. Get your tickets here. Artist submissions for showcases are closed but you can be considered for other performance opportunities throughout the year by filling out our 2025 Artist Submission Form.

I'm a Music Venue: 

Venues are encouraged to offer special music programming during Capital Music Week- all music-related events will be amplified through OMIC's marketing channels. Contact assistant@ottawamic.com with the list and links to your events!

OMIC Sponsorships & Partnerships Package (EN)
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Our Partners

Thank you for supporting the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition