2023 Festival Schedule

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.

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 A consists of showcases by:

• 1:30 - 1:50 - Adam Baldwin
• 2:00 - 2:20 - Silver Wolf Band
• 2:30 - 2:50 - Wolf Castle
• 3:00 - 3:20 - Baie
• 3:30 - 3:50 - JRDN
• 4:00 - 4:20 - Zamani Folade

The Rogers Red Carpet paves the way to the ECMA Award Show, offering attendees a chance to arrive in style alongside the best and brightest in East Coast Music.

Please note that this exclusive experience is open to invited guests only.

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

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

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:

• 2:30 - 2:50 - Jah'Mila
• 3:00 - 3:20 - The Town Heroes
• 3:30 - 3:50 - Hillsburn
• 4:00 - 4:20 - Les Moontunes
• 4:30 - 4:50 - City Natives

All ages are welcome at this showcase for the whole family!

Featuring showcases by:

• 6:00 - 6:30 - Roland Grant
• 6:40 - 7:10 - Rosemary Lawton
• 7:20 - 7:50 - Isabella Samson
• 8:00 - 8:30 - Robert Thomas and the Sessionmen

Friday night's Electric Stage in the Halifax Ballroom brings you an electrifying lineup of some of the East Coast's most exciting electronic 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 - Melodna
• 10:40 - 11:10 - JRDN
• 11:20 - 11:50 - Nicole Ariana

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 - 10:30 - 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

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

Featuring showcases by:

• 10:00 - 10:30 - Les Moontunes
• 10:40 - 11:10 - Logan Richard
• 11:20 - 11:50 - Andre Pettipas and The Giants
• 12:00 - 12:30 - Campbell & Johnston
• 12:40 - 1:40 - Les Hôtesses d'Hilaire

An ECMA tradition, stop in for an afternoon of East Coast blues at The Marquee Ballroom, presented by the East Coast Blues Society.

Featuring showcases by:

• 1:00 - 1:30 - Nick Earle
• 1:40 - 2:10 - Mark Riley
• 2:20 - 2:50 - Allen Snow
• 3:00 - 3:30 - Campbell & Johnston

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:

• 2:30 - 2:50 - Andrew Waite
• 3:00 - 3:20 - Reeny Smith
• 3:30 - 3:50 - Nick Earle
• 4:00 - 4:20 - One8tea
• 4:30 - 4:50 - Andre Pettipas and The Giants

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

• 8:00 - 8:20 - Ife Alaba
• 8:30 - 8:50 - Vince the Messenger
• 9:00 - 9:20 - Moira & Claire
• 9:30 - 9:50 - The Gilberts
• 10:00 - 10:20 - King Sway
• 10:30 - 10:50 - Daniel James McFadyen
• 11:00 - 11:20 - qwinn
• 11:30 - 11:50 - DeeDee Austin
• 12:00 - 12:20 - Isabella Samson
• 12:30 - 12:50 - Dali Van Gogh feat. Keke Beatz

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

Featuring showcases by:

• 8:00 - 8:30 - Christina Martin
• 8:40 - 9:10 - Dylan Menzie
• 9:20 - 9:50 - Cheval
• 10:00 - 10:30 - Rum Ragged

• 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

• 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.