2023 Festival Schedule

Radio ECMA provides a broadcasting platform supporting showcasing artists, nominees, and rising stars during the ECMAs! This year, Radio ECMA will be on location for 4 days and will feature more than 50 East Coast artists. Presented by host Megan St. Rose, you can tune into live performances and in-depth interviews with musicians, industry professionals, and more!

Wednesday's Radio ECMA Live lineup features performances and interviews with Mark Riley, Leona Burkey, Breezy Borden, Rev. Dave, Horsebath, Joseph Coffin, Nicole Ariana, HARMZ, Shay Pitts, and Cartermusic.

Join us for the official 2023 Opening Night Kickoff Party, featuring the ECMA Kitchen Party Kickoff hosted by the Kitchen Party King himself - Rankin MacInnis - with a crew of surprise guest artists to be announced!

Please note that this event is open to festival passholders only.

Radio ECMA provides a broadcasting platform supporting showcasing artists, nominees, and rising stars during the ECMAs! This year, Radio ECMA will be on location for 4 days and will feature more than 50 East Coast artists. Presented by host Megan St. Rose, you can tune into live performances and in-depth interviews with musicians, industry professionals, and more!

Thursday's Radio ECMA Live lineup features performances and interviews with JJ Roots, Mitch Currie, Nadia Haddad, Stephen Hero, Jordyn, Jenn Sheppard, Rachel Cousins, Robert Thomas, Ana-Luísa Ramos, and Dee Hernandez.

ECMA is excited to present the 35th anniversary celebration of the East Coast Music Awards and the 21st edition of the ECMA International Export Buyers Program in Halifax, Nova Scotia from May 3 - 7, 2023.

Thursday Export Showcase B consists of showcases by:

• 1:45 - 2:05 - Mo Kenney
• 2:15 - 2:35 - Quote the Raven
• 2:45 - 3:05 - Les Fireflies
• 3:15 - 3:35 - Dave Sampson
• 3:45 - 4:05 - Christina Martin
• 4:15 - 4:35 - Villages

NOTE: Door tickets are $25 to access both Export Showcases A and B.

35 years; over 1,000 winners. Who will make history this year?

Celebrate the biggest night in East Coast music at the 35th East Coast Music Awards Presented by Rogers on Thursday, May 4 at the Scotiabank Centre. Hosted by This Hour Has 22 Minutes' Trent McClellan, this anniversary event will be sure to have you laughing, cheering, and dancing while celebrating the immeasurable impact of Atlantic Canada’s music scene.

The event will feature performances by:

• Adam Baldwin (NS)

• Aquakultre (NS)

• City Natives (NB)

• Deantha Edmunds (NL)

• Dylan Menzie (PEI)

• Fortunate Ones (NL)

• Les Hôtesses d'Hilaire (NB)

• Jah'Mila (NS)

• Kellie Loder (NL)

• Madison Violet (CB)

• Natalie MacMaster (CB)

• Neon Dreams (NS)

Celebrate with your favourite East Coast artists at this official ECMA afterparty!

Featuring showcases by:

• 10:45 - 11:15 - Daniel James McFadyen
• 11:25 - 11:55 - Kubasonics
• 12:05 - 12:35 - Jah'Mila
• 12:45 - 1:15 - Brad Reid

NOTE: Door tickets are $25 to access both ballroom stages at the Marriott Harbourfront, OR $10 when showing your Award Show ticket

Celebrate with your favourite East Coast artists at this official ECMA afterparty!

Featuring showcases by:

• 10:45 - 11:15 - Caroline Savoie
• 11:25 - 11:55 - Lindsay Misiner and the 7th Mystic
• 12:05 - 12:35 - The Hypochondriacs
• 12:45 - 1:15 - Willie Stratton

Radio ECMA provides a broadcasting platform supporting showcasing artists, nominees, and rising stars during the ECMAs! This year, Radio ECMA will be on location for 4 days and will feature more than 50 East Coast artists. Presented by host Megan St. Rose, you can tune into live performances and in-depth interviews with musicians, industry professionals, and more!

Friday's Radio ECMA Live lineup features performances and interviews with Adrian House, Logan Richard, L'Nu JoKeR, Hearts of Kin, Mear, The Flummies, R.G. Schaller, Yvette Lorraine, Jackie Putnam, Ché Aimee Dorval, Linda McLean, Paragon Cause, Gearl, C. Ruth, and Kelly McMichael.

ECMA is excited to present the 35th anniversary celebration of the East Coast Music Awards and the 21st edition of the ECMA International Export Buyers Program in Halifax, Nova Scotia from May 3 - 7, 2023.

Friday Export Showcase B consists of showcases by:

• 2:30 - 2:50 - Jason Benoit
• 3:00 - 3:20 - Kellie Loder
• 3:30 - 3:50 - Caroline Savoie
• 4:00 - 4:20 - Fortunate Ones
• 4:30 - 4:50 - Rum Ragged

Friday night's Electric Stage in the Halifax Ballroom brings you an electrifying lineup of some of the East Coast's most exciting artists.

Featuring showcases by:

• 8:00 - 8:30 - Yvette Lorraine
• 8:40 - 9:10 - Zamani Folade
• 9:20 - 9:50 - Rachel Cousins
• 10:00 - 10:30 - Ché Aimee Dorval
• 10:40 - 11:10 - JRDN
• 11:20 - 12:15 - Nicole Ariana

NOTE: Door tickets are $25 to access both ballroom stages at the Marriott Harbourfront.

Join ECMA in the Schooner Room for a celebration of Atlantic Canada's brightest indie pop stars.

Featuring showcases by:

• 8:00 - 8:30 - Mear
• 8:40 - 9:10 - DeeDee Austin
• 9:20 - 9:50 - Villages
• 10:00 - 10:50 - Hillsburn

Music and lyrics take centre stage at this exciting songwriters' showcase at Alderney Landing.

Featuring showcases by:

• 8:00 - 8:30 - Kristen Martell
• 8:40 - 9:10 - The Gilberts
• 9:20 - 9:50 - Braden Lam
• 10:00 - 10:30 - The Hypochondriacs

Don't miss the ECMA nightlife vibes at this spotlight on the rap and hip-hop artists who are making a name for themselves on the East Coast.

Featuring showcases by:

• 9:00 - 9:30 - Albert Dalton
• 9:40 - 10:10 - JYAY x DECAY
• 10:20 - 10:50 - HARMZ
• 11:00 - 11:30 - City Natives
• 11:40 - 12:10 - Wolf Castle
• 12:20 - 12:50 - SHiFT FROM THA 902

Rock out with this eclectic mix of genre-deying East Coast artists, inspired by alt-rock, pop-punk, and emo sounds and influences.

Featuring showcases by:

• 10:00 - 10:30 - June Body
• 10:40 - 11:10 - Swimming
• 11:20 - 11:50 - No, It's Fine.
• 12:00 - 12:30 - Century Egg

Radio ECMA provides a broadcasting platform supporting showcasing artists, nominees, and rising stars during the ECMAs! This year, Radio ECMA will be on location for 4 days and will feature more than 50 East Coast artists. Presented by host Megan St. Rose, you can tune into live performances and in-depth interviews with musicians, industry professionals, and more!

Saturday's Radio ECMA Live lineup features performances and interviews with Rosemary Lawton, Isabella Samson, qwinn, Nick Doneff, Kierrah, Laura Rae, Adyn Townes, SHiFT FROM THA 902, Vince the Messenger, Maude Sonier, Abby McCartney, Joe H Henry, Gina Burgess, Jono, and more!

Coinciding with the Dairy Farmers of Canada ECMA Fan Fest and taking place on the opposite (south) end of Argyle Street, this FREE event will feature family-friendly programming including a face painter, games from GLOW Parties, Discovery Centre’s Discovery on Demand, demos by Halifax Circus, and so much more!

Join us at The Carleton on Saturday for an afternoon of classic tunes inspired by the musical traditions of the East Coast.

Featuring showcases by:

• 1:00 - 1:30 - Les Fireflies
• 1:40 - 2:10 - Brad Reid
• 2:20 - 2:50 - Rachel Davis & Darren McMullin Trio
• 3:00 - 3:30 - The Gilberts

ECMA is excited to present the 35th anniversary celebration of the East Coast Music Awards and the 21st edition of the ECMA International Export Buyers Program in Halifax, Nova Scotia from May 3 - 7, 2023.

Saturday Export Showcase A consists of showcases by:

• 3:00 - 3:20 - Andrew Waite
• 3:30 - 3:50 - Reeny Smith
• 4:00 - 4:20 - Nick Earle and the Reckless Hearts
• 4:30 - 4:50 - One8tea
• 5:00 - 5:20 - Andre Pettipas and The Giants

NOTE: Door tickets are $25 to access both Export Showcases A and B.

The ECMA Cup is a charity hockey game raising funds for Sound Minds, a named grant to support Nova Scotia Mental Health, as part of the 35th Anniversary ECMA celebrations May 3 - 7, 2023. Attendance is open to all ages and is FREE to the public. Everyone is welcome!

The ECMA Cup features two teams comprised of musicians, former NHL and professional hockey players, media figures, celebrities, and legends in their own minds facing off in a fun, friendly competition on the ice in support of a very good cause. Fearlessly leading our all-star teams will be esteemed curlers Mark Dacey and Colleen Jones, joining us as celebrity coaches, in a game guaranteed to deliver drama and excitement.

East Coast musicians lacing up their skates for the game include Classified, Quake Matthews, Heather Rankin, and The Town Heroes (Michael S. Ryan and Bruce Gillis), joined by former NHLer Andrew Gordon (Washington Captials, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks), with more players to be announced.

From its traditional roots to contemporary influences, folk music plays a sizable role in Atlantic Canada's music scene; join us at the Schooner showroom for some of the best in modern folk on the East Coast.

Featuring showcases by:

• 7:00 - 7:30 - Émilie Landry
• 7:40 - 8:10 - Terra Spencer
• 8:20 - 8:50 - Quote the Raven
• 9:00 - 10:00 - Fortunate Ones

Get ready to rock out in the Nova Scotia Ballroom with a genre-blending slate of pop- and rock-infused performances, showcasing the best of the East Coast's music scene in one exciting lineup.

Featuring showcases by:

• 9:00 - 9:30 - Rachel Beck
• 9:40 - 10:10 - Silver Wolf Band
• 10:20 - 10:50 - The Town Heroes
• 11:00 - 11:30 - Pretty Archie
• 11:40 - 12:10 - Kellie Loder
• 12:20 - 12:50 - Alicia Toner

NOTE: Door tickets are $25 to access both ballroom stages at the Marriott Harbourfront.

Check out showcases by the lyricists and composers behind some of the East Coast's most inspired songwriting, in an intimate listening room environment.

Featuring showcases by:

• 8:00 - 8:30 - Kelly McMichael
• 8:40 - 9:10 - La Patente
• 9:20 - 9:50 - Laura Rae
• 10:00 - 10:30 - Madeleine Roger
• 10:40 - 11:10 - Terra Spencer
• 11:20 - 11:50 - Adyn Townes
• 12:00 - 12:30 - Baie
• 12:40 - 1:10 - Sleepy Kicks

Don't miss Saturday night's lineup of East Coast pop superstars, bringing you the best in contemporary music from across Atlantic Canada.

Featuring performances by:

• 8:20 - 8:50 - XIA-3
• 9:00 - 9:30 - Keeper E.
• 9:40 - 10:10 - Paragon Cause
• 10:20 - 10:50 - Ife Alaba
• 11:00 - 11:30 - Rich Aucoin

NOTE: Door tickets are $25 to access both ballroom stages at the Marriott Harbourfront.

Get close to the action at this late night spotlight on some of Atlantic Canada's finest performers.

Featuring showcases by:

• 10:00 - 10:30 - Nick Doneff
• 10:40 - 11:10 - Carolina East
• 11:20 - 11:50 - Andrew Waite
• 12:00 - 12:30 - Joce Reyome
• 12:40 - 1:40 - Adam Baldwin & The Jenny Wren

Synths, 808s, bass drops and danceable beats - you'll find all of this and more at this showcase of the best Atlantic Canadian DJs and producers on the electronic music circuit.

Featuring showcases by:

• 10:00 - Cartermusic
• 11:00 - Alex Byrne
• 12:00 - Corey LeRue
• 1:00 - PINEO & LOEB

The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is excited to officially announce our grand finale for the 2023 East Coast Music Awards: Festival & Conference: The SOCAN Songwriters' Circle!

Taking place on Sunday, May 7th, 2023 at 2:00 PM in the beautiful Schooner Room at Casino Nova Scotia, this show is an annual tradition that closes the ECMA festival by highlighting a selection of East Coast songwriters whose music and lyrics have made an impact in the industry.

Follow along as hosts O'Sound (NS) and Fortunate Ones (NL) take you on a journey through storytelling and songs. Joining them on stage is a roster of some of Atlantic Canada's most prolific songwriters: Adam Baldwin (NS), Breagh Isabel (CB), Jason Benoit (NL), Joce Reyome (PEI), Lisa LeBlanc (NB), and Mo Kenney (NS).

Please note that this show is primarily a ticketed event, with a very limited number of seats available on a first-come, first-serve basis to VIP Pass holders. Access to the SOCAN Songwriters' Circle is not included with a standard Festival Pass or Weekend Warrior wristband.

Tickets are on sale now at $40 plus HST and fees; click here for more information or to purchase yours now.