First Round of Showcasing Artists Announced for ECMA 2026
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is pleased to announce the first round of showcasing artists selected to perform at the 2026 East Coast Music Awards Festival & Conference, taking place May 20–24, 2026 in Sydney, Cape Breton.
Each year, ECMA showcases bring together emerging and established artists from across Atlantic Canada, providing opportunities to perform for fans, delegates, industry professionals, and international guests during festival week.
Several artists announced in this first round are also 2026 ECMA Award nominees across multiple categories, highlighting the strength and diversity of the region’s music community.
The first round of showcasing artists includes:
Newfoundland & Labrador
Ana Luísa Ramos
Andrew Rodgers
Baraka
Claire Porter
Duane Andrews
Ian Foster
Jordan Coaker
Justin Fancy
Kellie Loder
MADELINE
Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts
Order of the Precious Blood
Rachel Cousins
Silver Wolf Band
Smoke Signals
XIA-3
Prince Edward Island
Absolute Losers
Aging Disgracefully
Brooke MacArthur
Lennie Gallant
Logan Richard
Richard WOOD
Nova Scotia
Ancient Thrones
Andre Pettipas
Cameron Nickerson
Campbell & Johnston
Cassie and Maggie
Daniel James McFadyen
DeeDee Austin
Joe H Henry
JupiterReign
Luna Red
Maggie Andrew
Neon Dreams
Nicolae
Rich Aucoin
Steve Amirault
Zamani
Cape Breton
Carleton Stone
DAMON
Elyse Aeryn
Gearl
Jay Cobra
Jont
Lookout Tower
Mike McKenna Jr.
Rachel & Darren
Rose Morrison
Tyler Mullendore
New Brunswick
ABOiTEAU
Beauxmont
Before The Dinosaurs
City Natives
Connor Fox
Direwolf
La Patente
McKinley Morrison & Williams
Menoncle Jason
The Mainlanders
Additional showcasing artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2026 East Coast Music Awards Festival & Conference will feature multiple stages of live performances alongside professional development sessions, networking events, and the annual ECMA Awards Gala celebrating the best of Atlantic Canadian music.
Template for Showcasing Artists
Being selected as a 2026 ECMA Showcasing Artist marks an exciting step for artists and industry professionals across Atlantic Canada. Showcasing at ECMA provides artists with the opportunity to perform for industry delegates, connect with new audiences, and build relationships that support the growth of their careers.
To help artists and their teams celebrate and share this moment, the East Coast Music Association has created official ECMA 2026 Showcasing Artist social media templates.
These graphics are designed to make it simple for artists, partners, and supporting organizations to highlight the announcement across social media, websites, and other digital platforms.
Artists are encouraged to personalize the template with their image and details and share the news with their communities.
