Indie Week Opens Artist Applications for Ottawa Festival, November 12-14

Ottawa’s music scene just received a high‑profile invitation: Indie Week is now accepting artist applications for its first edition in the capital, slated for November 12‑14, 2026. The call is open to Canadian and international acts across most contemporary original music genres, with a deadline of July 31. Those selected will earn a spot in the live showcase program, invitations to industry panels, and access to networking events with festival bookers, label representatives and export partners.

The festival will feature live showcases, industry panels, networking sessions and programming focused on artist development, music export, monetizing music, promotion and sync licensing. Indie Week’s founder, Darryl Hurs, who previously ran the VENUExVENUE brand in Toronto and London, says the Ottawa edition is a natural next chapter. "Ottawa is an exciting city for the next chapter of Indie Week. It has a strong and growing music community, and we want to connect its artists and industry professionals with people from across Canada and around the world. Our goal is to create meaningful opportunities and relationships that continue beyond the festival," Hurs told reporters.

The partnership with the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) is designed to embed the festival within the city’s local ecosystem. OMIC executive director Mélanie Brulée expressed enthusiasm: "Bringing INDIE WEEK to Ottawa is a huge opportunity for our music community and another important step in connecting our local industry with the rest of Canada and the world. This partnership will create meaningful opportunities for Ottawa artists and music professionals to build relationships, grow their careers, and showcase what makes our city so special. We're excited to welcome delegates from across the country and beyond to experience Ottawa's talent, creativity, and collaborative spirit firsthand. Together, we're continuing to build a Music City that artists want to be part of and the industry wants to visit."

The conference will host panels on monetization strategies, sync placement, and export pathways, giving artists a chance to learn from booking agents, licensing specialists and successful independent musicians. The focus on monetization, promotion and syncs mirrors current industry trends, as independent musicians seek diversified revenue streams beyond streaming. By offering sessions on export pathways, the festival also positions Ottawa as a gateway for Canadian artists aiming to reach global audiences.

Indie Week has already established a national presence. The Ottawa edition is part of the festival’s expanding footprint, which now includes more than 55 artists and a multi‑venue lineup across Canada. The event will feature a mix of live performances, panel discussions and networking opportunities that cater to creators, promoters, and industry professionals.

Applicants must submit their material through the Indie Week website before the July 31 deadline. The festival explicitly excludes classical, traditional jazz, children’s music and musical theatre, focusing instead on contemporary original music. Successful artists will receive a slot in the live showcase program, invitations to industry panels, and access to networking events with festival bookers, label representatives and export partners.

For Ottawa’s music community, the festival represents a tangible link to the broader Canadian and international scenes. By pairing the event with OMIC’s local initiatives, Indie Week aims to strengthen Ottawa’s reputation as a creative hub and provide artists with concrete career‑building opportunities. The festival’s emphasis on monetization, promotion and syncs reflects a growing demand for alternative revenue models and the importance of licensing in an era of streaming dominance.

As the event approaches, organizers anticipate a competitive pool of applicants. The resulting lineup is expected to showcase Ottawa’s diverse talent while reinforcing the city’s status as a Music City. Artists and industry professionals who secure a place in the festival can look forward to a condensed yet intensive program that combines performance, education and networking, all within the vibrant context of Ottawa’s music scene.

Indie Week’s Ottawa edition promises to be a catalyst for local talent, a bridge to national and international markets, and a snapshot of the evolving landscape of independent music creation and promotion.