Bif Naked, Tyler Shaw and Jamie Fine Lead Nine-Day Capital Music Week in Ottawa

Presented by Godzspeed, Capital Music Week is back October 2–10 with 100+ artists taking over 25 venues across Ottawa.

More than 100 artists across 25 venues will take over Ottawa this fall as Capital Music Week (CxMW) returns for its second year October 2–10, headlined by JUNO Award-nominated artists Bif Naked and Tyler Shaw, with multi-platinum Ottawa artist Jamie Fine serving as 2026 Ambassador.

From Southam Hall and major concert venues to neighbourhood cafés, public spaces and unexpected corners of the city, CxMW will bring nine days of live music, showcases, industry events and cultural programming to Ottawa.

Bif Naked will open Capital Music Week on October 2, performing her new dance single Hey Little Frankie as part of a DJ and drag show hosted by Jamie Fine and featuring Canada’s Drag Race alum Saltina Shaker. The following day, Bif returns for a second, more intimate appearance, hosting and performing at a Women in Music song circle alongside Kellylee Evans and Capital Music Awards nominees.

“Ottawa has an incredible music community, but for too long we’ve been telling our story in pieces,” says OMIC Executive Director Melanie Brulée. “Capital Music Week brings it together. It’s about putting artists in the spotlight, connecting them with new audiences and industry, and inviting people to experience Ottawa through its music. We want to build a city where artists can build careers, audiences can discover something new, and music is part of how Ottawa sees itself and how the rest of the country sees us.”

Across the nine days, CxMW will feature performances by Bif Naked, Tyler Shaw, Logan Staats, Ya Levis, Amanda Rheaume, and Pierre Kwenders, alongside dozens of artists from Ottawa and beyond. Programming ranges from concerts and showcases to music documentaries, photography exhibitions across multiple cafés, workshops, panels, and an Ontario Music Cities Boat Cruise.

The 7th annual Capital Music Awards, presented by the National Arts Centre, will take place Friday, October 9 at Southam Hall. Co-hosted by Tyler Shaw and Kellylee Evans, the awards will recognize a record 58 nominees across 13 categories and feature six diverse live performances, including Ottawa 200’s official anthem, written and performed by Jessica Pearson, Yao and Amanda Rheaume.

CxMW also brings artists and music professionals together through two conferences. The Independent Music Business Summit offers a full day of panels, workshops and networking focused on building sustainable careers and businesses in music.

Canada After Dark, Canada’s national summit on nightlife and the nighttime economy, returns October 7–8 at the National Arts Centre. Co-presented with the City of Ottawa’s Nightlife Office, the summit brings together Canadian and international leaders to explore the economic, cultural and social potential of cities after dark.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe will once again officially proclaim Capital Music Week, recognizing the growing role of music in the city’s cultural identity and economy.

Presented in partnership with Godzspeed under the theme “Our Soul Is Our Sound,” Capital Music Week celebrates the artists, venues and communities shaping Ottawa’s sound while creating new opportunities for audiences to discover them.

Tickets are on sale now, with the full schedule and event information available at CxMW.ca.

About the Capital Music Awards (CMAs)

Since 2020, the Capital Music Awards have celebrated musical excellence and innovation across the National Capital Region. Spanning 13 categories, the awards ceremony and red carpet honour the artists, venues, promoters, technicians, music educators, and entrepreneurs whose work helps shape Ottawa’s cultural identity and vibrant music ecosystem. The 2026 Capital Music Awards will take place on Friday, October 9, at Southam Hall inside the National Arts Centre, marking the second time Ottawa’s local music community will be celebrated on one of the country’s premier national stages. Discover the 2026 CMA Nominees: Website

About Canada After Dark (CAD)

Canada After Dark is a national nightlife summit presented by the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) in partnership with the City of Ottawa's Nightlife Office as part of Capital Music Week. The event brings together policymakers, urban planners, business leaders, venue operators, cultural workers, researchers, and nightlife professionals from across Canada and beyond to explore the future of nighttime economies. Canada After Dark examines how cities can leverage nightlife, culture, and entertainment to drive economic growth, improve quality of life, support public safety, and create more vibrant and inclusive communities. Connect with CAD: Website

About Capital Music Week (CxMW)

Capital Music Week is Ottawa’s city-wide music industry conference and festival, returning for its second year October 2–10, 2026. Centred around the Capital Music Awards, CxMW connects artists with audiences and industry opportunities while bringing live music, professional development, film, photography and cultural programming to venues and neighbourhoods across the city, all in the name of music. Connect with CxMW: Website / Facebook / Instagram 

About the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC)

The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) is a bilingual, member-based non-profit supporting a thriving music ecosystem across the National Capital Region. OMIC serves working musicians, music businesses, freelance professionals, venues and festivals, strengthening the connections between the people, businesses and communities that make music happen. Through industry development, advocacy and partnerships, OMIC creates professional opportunities, drives economic and cultural impact, and helps build a city connected by music. Connect with OMIC: Website / Facebook / Instagram