The East Coast Music Awards, Festival & Conference will take place in Sydney, Cape Breton, NS from May 20-24, 2026 and will include the East Coast Music Awards Gala presented by Rogers, along with festival performances, industry programming and networking events.

The five-day celebration will feature performances, industry conferences, and international networking opportunities, highlighting the dept and diversity of East Coast music talent.

Leading this year's nominations is Goldie Boutilier with seven, followed by Daniel James McFadyen with six, and Cassie and Maggie and Mallory Johnson with fivenominations each.

A full list of nominees can be seen on ECMA website: ecma.com

This year's nominees represent a wide range of genres, communities, and regions, reflecting the ongoing strength and diversity of East Coast music.