The Western Canadian Music Awards and Industry Awards celebrate the best artistic and music industry talent Western Canada has to offer. This year, members of the Canadian and international music industry converge for BreakOut West 2026 in Victoria, B.C., from September 30 to October 4 — and a stellar selection of artists will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to Canadian music.
B.C. has a strong legacy at the Western Canadian Music Awards, with past nominees and winners including Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Dear Rouge, Kimmortal, Haley Blais, and many more. This year’s nominees carry on that tradition. See the full list of nominees here.
Listen to all nominees on the Breakout West Spotify playlist.
2026 Artistic Award Nominees
Blues Artist of the Year
- Blue Moon Marquee & Northern Cree
- Honeybear, The Band
- The Harpoonist
BreakOut Artist of the Year
- Pony Gold
Children’s Artist of the Year
- Norman Foote
- Will’s Jams
Classical Artist or Ensemble of the Year
- Blueridge Chamber Player
- Standing Wave
- Trio Garibaldi
Classical Composer of the Year
- Christopher Tyler Nickel
- Jordan Nobles
Country Artist of the Year
- Mitch Zorn
- The Washboard Union
Electronic & Dance Artist of the Year
- Handsome Tiger
- Persha
- SABAI
- WHIPPED CREAM
Francophone Artist of the Year
- Élodie Orsei
- Loig Morin
Global Artist of the Year
- Empanadas Ilegales
- Farnaz Ohadi
Indigenous Artist of the Year
- Blue Moon Marquee & Northern Cree
- Garret T. Willie
Instrumental Artist of the Year
- Empanadas Ilegales
- Five Alarm Funk
- Olivia Barrett
Jazz Artist of the Year
- Elisa Thorn
- Jodi Proznick
Metal & Hard Music Artist of the Year
- Archspire
- Freeze the Fall
Producer of the Year
- Andy Schichter – Park Sound Studio
- David Ziehr
R&B Artist of the Year
- Mikey Jose
- Rebecca Sichon
Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year
- Merkules
Rock Artist of the Year
- 54•40
Roots Artist of the Year
- CALICO
- The Southern Residents
Spiritual Artist of the Year
- BLVRS
- Ruby Singh and The Future Ancestors
Video Director of the Year
- Blair Coyle – Get My Baby Back “Paris Pick – Third Time’s a Charm”
2026 Industry Award Nominees
Audio Engineering Award
- Anthony Dolhai
- Spencer Bleasdale – 604 Studios
- Stephanie Pockets Rangno – Vibe Cave Studios
Excellence in Visual Design
- Bronwin Parks – Feisty Creative
- Mark Mushet – Mark Mushet Photography
Impact in Artist Development
- 604 Records
Impact in Live Music
- Midnight Agency
Impact in Music Marketing
- Cellar Music Group
- RANGE Magazine
Featured image: Artist: Ché Aimee Dorval performing at 2025 Breakout West in Kelowna, B.C. | Photographer: Joey Senft
