MusicNL Week 2025 Awards & Stages Applications Now Open
The 2025 MusicNL Awards and Stages submissions are now open for artists and industry. Music release dates must fall between the eligibility period of April 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025.
For a complete list of MusicNL Awards categories, Stages criteria, eligibility rules, and voting criteria, visit musicnl.ca/mnlw2025. Submit now at the link below. Submissions close Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 11:59pm NT.
New for 2025
- Three new awards: Songwriter of the Year (non-performer), Sound on Screen Award and International Touring Artist of the Year
- Ron Hynes Songwriter of the Year shifts to focus on performing songwriters
- A limit to recurring recipients in certain industry categories
- All showcases are now part of our export initiatives
- Revised export-ready criteria for Stages (showcases)
- New application platform – one profile per applicant
- One platform for Awards, Stages and Funding applications.
- New demographic information collected
Key Dates for 2025
May 28 – Application intake closes
August 1 – Nominees announced
August 10 – Voting closes
September 1 – Stages (showcases) selected
November 12 – MusicNL Week opens with Industry Awards
November 13, 14, 15 – MusicNL Week Conference and showcases
November 15 – MusicNL Week Gala and Awards
November 16 – MusicNL Week Songwriter Circle
MusicNL Week Application Webinar
MusicNL Week 2025, taking place November 12 – 16 in St John’s, features a conference, awards, showcases and more.
Applications for awards and stages will be open from May 1 to May 28 using our NEW application platform. While our team puts the finishing touch on the details, it’s a great time to brush up your bio, refresh your website and gather your promotional materials (check out our Online Learning Library for tips!)
This webinar will give you a tour of the new platform, walk you through the application process, and answer your questions about how the platform works.
MusicNL Week is Back!
MusicNL Week Returns with Export Focus and Return to Roots
MusicNL is thrilled to announce the dates for its 2025 conference, awards, gala and showcasing festival, which will return to St. John’s from November 12 to 16, 2025. Taking place at venues across downtown, the event will focus on export and industry development under the brand of MusicNL Week.
The four-day event will feature a packed schedule for artists, music industry and fans alike, including: an export-focused business conference, four nights of venue programming, artist showcases, one-on-one business meetings, two awards shows and a return of the popular songwriter’s circle.
MusicNL’s Executive Director is looking forward to building on the success of the 2024 event, and leveraging the event to grow the sector as a whole: “Music continues to be one of our most important cultural and economic exports, driving growth while building meaningful connections across borders. With the return to touring, and a growth in tourism, we’re seeing important momentum in this space. Strategic investment in artist development, export programs, and our province’s music infrastructure will amplify our growth and create a robust industry ecosystem. By supporting our music industry and shining a light with MusicNL week, we’re not only nurturing cultural expression but also building a sustainable domestic and export economy that generates significant returns for the province.“
Planning for the event is well underway. The MusicNL team has already begun confirming export delegates, focusing on market development in Canada, the EU and UK, including:
Pete Kelley, Premiere League Productions, London, UK
Maria Theessink, Tønder Festival, Denmark, EU
Sarah Card, Bear Creek Festival, Grand Prairie, AB
Tessa Balaz, Knox Hall, Sudbury, ON
Leonard Podolak, Home Routes, Winnipeg, MB
Applications for awards, stages and showcasing will open in May.
